On Monday, April 8, Smithfield Times photographer Mark Carrier traveled to Jay Peak in Vermont to experience the total solar eclipse. Mark, along with many others across North America (and Smithfield!) viewed this celestial milestone together, whether it was through the lens of a camera or the lenses of special eclipse glasses.

Mark shares, “The solar eclipse was an incredibly surreal experience! Many people talk about the awe-inspiring nature of a total eclipse, but few have experienced it from a mountaintop, such as Jay Peak, Vermont (15 minutes from the Canadian border). Not only did we have a distinct vantage point compared to others in the path of totality, but we were lucky enough to have perfect weather. Just before totality we saw something unique to our location, a 360-degree sunset and sunrise! Imagine a sunset occurring directly overhead, rather than at the horizon, and you see the beautiful colors of a sunset in all directions instead of just in the west. This happened before and after totality! As we crossed into totality, birds chirped, dogs barked, and the crowd around me began cheering, which was perfectly complemented by a live band playing Pink Floyd. It was an incredible experience I will never forget. Looking ahead, Spain, Iceland, and Greenland will experience a total eclipse in 2026, and I am considering a special trip to witness it again.”