P.A. couple headed to U.S. for eclipse

A Saskatchewan couple is taking a long road trip to view Monday’s full solar eclipse.

With the best places to see the eclipse all down in the U.S., Shelley Bird and her husband Ken were set Thursday  o begin the 15-hour drive to Stapleton, Neb. from their home near Prince Albert.

“I’m just excited, like I’m counting down the sleeps here as it is,” Bird said.

She said they plan on making it a holiday, with stops planned at places like the Black Hills after watching the eclipse.

“We probably won’t ever get a chance to see it again, like what a prime opportunity and what a nice summer vacation. Get in the car and head to some place we’ve never been to before,” Bird said.

The couple first started researching their trip around two years ago.

They plan to be right in line with the eclipse.

“We’re taking lawn chairs and a cooler and we’re going to sit in for the day,” Bird said.

Bird said her husband got her interested in going, and did a lot of reading and planning for them.

She said the preparations also included putting together custom eyewear .

“He got some welding lenses and some Styrofoam sheeting and he’s actually made us the proper eye protection,” Bird said.

Along with the specialized eye protection, Bird said her husband also rigged up a pinhole camera to record the event.

Astronomers have warned people to protect their vision if they plan to take in the eclipse, as looking directly at it can cause damage to retinas.