Yes, have been fascinated by them since grade school when I had one (annular) in 3rd grade in 1994.
https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEplot/SEplot1951/SE1994May10A.GIFCrazy how different teachers treated it. Our entire school was outside with classes cordoned off in specific gathering areas and we practiced putting glasses on and some had rudimentary photo-capturing equipment and IIRC had an assembly about it. My wife went to another school in the same school district and while her specific class was allowed outside, it was not a coordinated entire-school event and she recalls several teachers did not allow their kids outside at all and put up black construction paper on the windows! What a missed education opportunity and the memories that could have been had! Eclipse aren't for everyone, clearly, but good lord, for some they're highly motivating, may have tons of social and emotional value, and who knows there could be a future astronomer or artist or biologist or whatever that is inspired as a child. I love how humbling it can be and is a brief respite from drudgery that life can sometimes provide.
Both the 2017 and 2024 ones crisscrossed over the family rural property in So. IL so at minimum, it was going to be a great hang with family and friends. This recent one coincided with my grandpa's 85th birthday, had around 60 people over the course of the weekend come and go. People had RVs, there were daytrippers, several tents, and people sleeping all over the house. The meat smoker was going non-stop it seemed, we had themed birthday and eclipse games, some had their first snipe hunt, lots of roasted marshmallows over the fire, morels were found, tons of hikes and outdoor activities, etc. It was wonderful chaos. My wife made an Eclipse playlist with songs that had an astronomical theme and had three JBL Xtreme 2 speakers synced up for some surround sound. We went silent after R.E.M.'s Man on the Moon with 5 min left to totality as we wanted to hear nature do its thing. I'll never forget the dimming of the light leading up to this one, the golden fields (not quite dead from winter but not super green either) were blanketed in a bizarre gray light that was markedly different for about 30 min prior to the eclipse. It felt very trippy but also not unsettling at all as like with any successful trip, the (mind) set of those gathered was on a similar wavelength and the setting would've been hard to improve upon. The land we were on is hilly and we were on a fairly prominent spot and during the eclipse you could see what looked like a panoramic sunset. In all directions off in the distance it looked like a wonderfully colorful evening you might expect at 8pm to the southwest but of course it was 2pm and every which way.
If I'm lucky enough to be around with health and wealth in 2045, I'll probably coordinate something with family and friends. I've never been to the Bahamas, will be near the maximum, hmm..... Lots of possibilities for that one. Very aware that if the eclipse is clouded, I want the trip to at minimum to still be a great time with loved ones. Good odds for August there will be clear weather somewhere.
https://eclipse.gsfc.nasa.gov/SEplot/SEplot2001/SE2045Aug12T.GIF
