I initially wanted to go snowboarding for spring break. The family had other ideas, and we ended up in Texas for the solar eclipse.

I had missed the 2017 eclipse and didn’t want to let this one pass. Rather than seeking solitude the way eclipse chasers usually do, I leaned into the crowd — we secured tickets to a Vampire Weekend concert in Austin that coincided with totality.

The concert was remarkable. The sky was threatening all afternoon. And then there were 30 magical seconds when it cleared just enough to get a glimpse of totality.

Being in the Bible Belt, it felt biblical.

Whether in the quiet of a forest or surrounded by thousands, experience a total solar eclipse. It’s truly magical.