Amazing but TRUE!!!

Windmill near equestrian campground
Caprock Canyon State Park, Texas

We had planned to travel from Theodore Roosevelt National Park to South Dakota's Custer State Park next.  One of our fellow campers, however, told us that they were headed there for the weekend's bison roundup.  Custer's bison round-up has hundreds, if not thousands, of visitors.  Disappointed but unwilling to drop into a crowd of that magnitude after being so remote for so long, we decided to head toward Wind Cave National Park.  Then we received word that a dear friend from the Carolinas would be in town for only two days next week.  If we did not tarry, we would be home in time to see her.

Rather than staying in South Dakota, we traveled on toward Texas, stopping at the John Martin Reservoir campground near Hasty, Colorado.  We were new to this campground.  The park had great facilities, spread out campsites, and lots of lovely cottonwoods.

The next morning, we crossed the Texas state line and continued driving to what has often become our favorite final stay of these adventures... Caprock Canyon State Park, just south of Amarillo.  Our favorite camp spot is on a low bluff in the overflow camping area.  Last year's trip ending had been so special here.  A coyote had hunted just beyond our camper...  Deer grazed under the setting sun... The night sky was spectacular.

We set up camp and had a bite to eat.  Then we sat in our camp chairs, facing east, enjoying the cool breeze, and talking about our many adventures during this trip.  I had my camera with the long-range lens resting in my lap, waiting for another coyote to show.  None came... not even a deer.

I was disappointed, but then a beautiful full and red moon peaked over the horizon.  It was too wonderful not to take a few photos.

Blood Moon at sunset, Caprock Canyon State Park, Texas

Rejoining David and Rox, I pulled out my cell phone to check the time.  I was more than a little surprised to find a weather alert from the Weather Channel on it.  This was odd on two levels.  First, there was no cell service.  Second, I had never signed up for weather alerts.  In fact, I had been very careful not to sign up for them.  The weather alert read that a harvest moon eclipse would occur this very night and to check our area to see if it would be visible.  Of course, we couldn't check because there was no cell service.

The full moon continued to rise.  At next glance, however, David and I noticed that it wasn't quite full anymore.  Perhaps we were mistaken and it needed another day or two... or could this, in fact, be the eclipse?  We pulled out tripods just in case.

The following several hours were beyond extraordinary.  Unbeknownst to us, we had arrived in Caprock Canyon just in time for front row seats to a total Blood Moon eclipse!  Later we discovered that the last time a harvest moon eclipsed was in 1982... the next won't occur until 2033.  God's generosity never ceases to amaze me!

Beginning of Blood Moon eclipse

First quarter 

Nearly half 

Half moon eclipse

Full eclipse of the Blood Moon

Coincidence?  I think not...  

When the eclipse was full and the super moon darkened in crimson hues, the night sky was so filled with stars that it took our breath away.  Shooting stars arched across the sky as the blood moon hid behind the earth's shadow... and the skies declared His Glory.  And how glorious God is, indeed!

The heavens declare the glory of God,

and the sky displays what His Hands have made.  (Psalm 19:1)