In 2017, we had a the rare excitement of a total solar eclipse where the path of totality was going to pass right across the country from end to end. There were viewing parties from Oregon to North Carolina and nearly every state between. My father's side of the family is from (and still lives in) Sylva, NC just outside Asheville which was ground zero for prime viewing of the total eclipse (we were only going to get partial eclipse in Virginia). So what's a family to do? ROAD Trip!

We crashed with my Aunt Mary in Sylva to avoid trying to get a hotel (which was impossible) and while we were in town, snagged a few NPS stamps from the nearby Great Smokey Mountains. To my great surprise, Eastern National had issued a unique Solar Eclipse set of stamps for every National Park/Site/Monument across the nation that was in the path of totality! Apparently, they were all to be sent immediately back to Eastern National the day after the eclipse where I assume they were to be destroyed.

We earned the Great Smokey Mountains solar eclipse stamp and I spent the last few years hunting down copies of the rest that were issued. At this point, I can't be certain I have them all as I haven't seen an official list of how many were issued. If you know of (or have possession of) a solar eclipse stamp that isn't listed below, please contact me as I'd like to collect them all. 

In 2024, another Solar Eclipse passed through the country. This time Stafford was near the path of totality and we ended up just staying home for the day. The kids took their special glasses to school and caught glimpses of it on their bus ride home. Meanwhile I sat on the front step and live streamed it on a Teams call with my coworkers around the country that weren't going to be able experience any of it. Subsequently I didn't snag any great photos, so I look forward to 2045 (when I'll likely be at Disney world taking it in).