US Southwest Lunar Eclipse Clean & Camp

[DixiePhotoArt]

Lunar Eclipse Clean & Camp Meet-Up! 

Hey adventure seekers, overlanders, and night sky lovers! Mark your calendars for March 13, 2025, because we’re heading out for an unforgettable Clean & Camp event!
Photography & Eclipse Viewing - You’ll get free tips and advice from Robert Trawick, a 45-year veteran photographer who knows a thing or two about shooting the night sky! Whether you're rocking a DSLR, mirrorless, or just your phone, bring your gear and your questions.

View Rally Point

 

[DixiePhotoArt]

Thanks for checking out this casual meetup on March 13-14, 2025 at American Horse Lake for clean-up and photographing the Lunar Eclipse.
I'm very new to the Overlanding community, having spent the vast majority of my life as a professional photographer, including 20 years as a USAF Photojournalist. I'm excited to learn about road adventuring from other members of the OB group. I've experienced many health issues and setbacks so 2025, I decided to focus more on outdoor activities I enjoyed as a young man.
Here is a more detailed post about the meet-up:
Hey adventure seekers, overlanders, and night sky lovers! Mark your calendars for March 13, 2025, because we’re heading out to American Horse Lake near Geary, Oklahoma, for an unforgettable Clean & Camp event!


Where: American Horse Lake, OK

When:
* 2PM - 6PM → Cleanup Mission: Let’s give back to Oklahoma’s beautiful outdoors by picking up trash and leaving it better than we found it!
* 6PM - 10PM → Campfire, food, and fun! Network with fellow adventurers, photographers, and overland enthusiasts.
* 10:57PM - 5AM → The Lunar Eclipse begins! Stay up (or set that alarm) to witness the magic!

Photography & Eclipse Viewing:
Want to level up your night photography? You’ll get free tips and advice from Robert Trawick, a 45-year veteran photographer who knows a thing or two about shooting the night sky! Whether you're rocking a DSLR, mirrorless, or just your phone, bring your gear and your questions.

Lunar Eclipse Schedule (CST):
* Penumbral starts: 9:53 PM
* Partial begins: 10:57 PM
* Totality: 11:59 PM - 2:32 AM
* Partial ends: 3:35 AM
* Penumbral ends: 4:39 AM


Come & Go As You Please! If you can’t camp, no worries—just swing by for the cleanup or eclipse viewing.
Our planned camping & observation spot is at What3Words: ///infringe.snacks.downloads


What to Bring:

• Camping gear if you’re staying overnight

• Warm clothes—it’ll get chilly!

• Camera or phone for night shots

• Headlamp (preferably red light)

• Snacks & drinks for yourself

• Trash bags & gloves for cleanup


Why It Matters:
Oklahoma’s outdoor spaces are ours to protect! Help us keep them clean and enjoy a stunning night under the stars as a reward.

Be a good steward of our wild places!

Helpful Links:
* Overland Bound - Off-Road Mapping and Trip Planning
* How to photograph a lunar eclipse
* March 2025 lunar eclipse - Wikipedia
* 7 Principles - Leave No Trace
* Department Fishing Areas | Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation
* American Horse Lake | TravelOK.com - Oklahoma's Official Travel & Tourism Site


Got questions about the event or photography gear? Email dixiephotoart@gmail.com

Come for the cleanup, stay for the eclipse, and leave with epic photos & new friends! See you there!



#LunarEclipseCleanAndCamp #OverlandBound #LeaveNoTrace #OklahomaAdventures #ElviraTheElement #photography #nightphotos #camping #primitive #Oklahoma

 

[DixiePhotoArt]

Please note that you need a license to use Oklahoma Wildlife Management Land like American Horse Lake. Being good stewards of our natural resources includes respecting local regulations and adhering to proper licensing / fees.
You will need a fishing license OR a hunting license OR a Conservation Passport. You can check out the different licenses available on the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation website. They have a wide variety of licenses available for purchase online.
I wasn't aware until visiting and reading the sign at the lake during my recent visit. I was able to get a lifetime fishing and hunting license for 100% disabled veteran for only $25.

 

[SlimJimOKC]

Lunar Eclipse Clean & Camp Meet-Up! 

Hey adventure seekers, overlanders, and night sky lovers! Mark your calendars for March 13, 2025, because we’re heading out for an unforgettable Clean & Camp event!
Photography & Eclipse Viewing - You’ll get free tips and advice from Robert Trawick, a 45-year veteran photographer who knows a thing or two about shooting the night sky! Whether you're rocking a DSLR, mirrorless, or just your phone, bring your gear and your questions.

View Rally Point

I will definitely be there. In my little SlimJim Crosstrek.
Excited to capture some photos and hang out and enjoy the fun.

 

[OkieDavid]

I'm interested. I'll see if I can get off work Friday.

 

[SlimJimOKC]

I'm interested. I'll see if I can get off work Friday.

I probably won’t be there that long on Friday. Gonna try to stay up all night and watch the lunar eclipse. I have to get back to the city by 11 AM.

 

[DixiePhotoArt]

@OkieDavid It would great to see you and meet in person. Just to clarify, the eclipse starts on Thursday at 11 pm and runs until Friday at 5 am. I'm thinking by 8 am on Friday we will be out and looking for local breakfast.
Of course, the weather is set for partly cloudy so crossing our fingers the night is clear.

 

[OkieDavid]

I probably won’t be there that long on Friday. Gonna try to stay up all night and watch the lunar eclipse. I have to get back to the city by 11 AM.

If I'm up past 1:30AM shooting pics, I won't make it to work by 7:30AM, so would need Friday off to sleep in. I'm like 80% planning on going. Besides, depending on weather, might bring my kayak and do a little paddling on Friday.

 

[DixiePhotoArt]

@OkieDavid
Excellent sir. Yes, sleep is important. Love the plan. Can’t believe the news to talking about snow this weekend and then 80s on Thursday.

 

[Orion_OBW]

I'll have to try and grab a fishing license on Thursday so I can come out.

 

[DixiePhotoArt]

UPDATE:
I woke up very sick this morning and tried to push to make it but probably best I stay behind. My partner in crime Jim, @SlimJimOKC, will be there to clean up and help with photos.
I’m really sad to miss this event and hope we can connect on future ones.

Share lots of photos Jim!

 

[OkieDavid]

Work has been pretty crazy this week! Don't think I'm going to make it, definitely not at 2 and probably not for the viewing either. Sorry.

 

[DixiePhotoArt]

I wasn’t able to make it since I wasn’t feeling great and certainly didn’t want to pass on my sickness to anyone.

@SlimJimOKC did make the journey picked up some trash at the campsite and hung out and took photos of the eclipse with a nonmember photographer that showed up. I’m sure he will post some awesome photos, including his time lapse later on this weekend.

Hoping for another overnight soon

 

[SlimJimOKC]

View attachment Lunar Eclipse Timelapse2.mov
I took a bunch of photos of the moon. I've never been able to get a good image of the moon. I recently purchased a 200-600mm lens and wanted to try it out on the Moon. Here are some images and a couple of timelapse videos.
View attachment Lunar Eclipse Timelapse.mov

 

[DixiePhotoArt]

@SlimJimOKC
Excellent captures my friend! Thank you so much for sharing. I know that the non-member that showed up from our photography group really had a great time. She was texting me earlier today.