Eclipse watchers say event was 'surreal'

CLEMSON, S.C. — More than 35,000 people gathered at Clemson University in South Carolina for a chance to take in the solar eclipse.

The university sits in path of totality for Monday's eclipse.

The college was a top destination for those chasing the opportunity to see the moon blot out the sun's rays and Atlanta residents were out in numbers.

[PHOTOS: Massive crowds gather across the country to watch solar eclipse]

"I jumped on the opportunity. Worked a double on Saturday so I could be off today," Brandon Mandel, of Atlanta, told Channel 2’s Carl Willis.

"It was, like, surreal. I honestly don't know. I have, like, goosebumps a little bit. I'm trying to wrap my head around it," Clemson graduate student Nate Gordon said.

Willis said from the moment he arrived in the morning to the minute before totality, he could sense the anticipation from people hoping for the experience that has been decades in the making.

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And then totality happened. The sun's outermost edge was visible to the protected eye for 2 1/2 minutes.

"You expected it to be over-hyped. But just to look at the sun and see that it was just ... majesty. It was really awesome," watcher Ken Halley said.

Darkness covered Clemson's south green and Willis said he felt a dip in the temperature. Some in the crowd even spotted the planet Venus.

[PHOTOS: Pictures from Local total solar eclipse viewers]

"I think we're really blessed to be able to have this experience," Yolanda Mosley told Willis.

Then the fascination turned into reflection.

"It was pretty inspirational in a lot of ways. Because you think about how small things are compared to what you see there. It's really impactful," Dale Layfield said.

"It's really a life-changing event and a pivotal point in your life," Gordon said.

Cox Media Group