Members of the U of A’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) have been going on hikes with Josh Raney, since he first led one in the fall of 2016. Many of which who make sure to sign up at the first opportunity to ensure their spot on the trips. This April, Raney is stepped up his game and offered an outing of a lifetime. On April 8, Raney, OLLI director and volunteer hiking guide, led 20 members to the Buffalo National River for the Total Solar Eclipse of 2024. Participants took a short hike along the Buffalo River Trail and explored the river’s edge at Steel Creek Campground. Just within the path of totality, campground was a great spot for the group to enjoy lunch and the view of the eclipse from the large fields below Roark Bluff. OLLI provided solar eclipse glasses and transportation.
“I’ve been thinking about leading this hike since I first heard of the eclipse,” Raney shared. “Our members love getting outdoors and experiencing new things. What better new thing than a total eclipse?”
Of the 20 people registered to take the hike, Judy Unrath, longtime OLLI member and hiking enthusiast, was one of the first people to sign up. “I wasn’t going to miss this trip and the bragging rights to say, ‘I was there, in the middle of the Great North American Eclipse’s path.’ It won’t happen again in my lifetime, and I am grateful to OLLI for offering this epic adventure.”
Volunteer, Doug Talbott, who provided support by driving a van also assisted by documenting the outing with his camera. Talbott, who has traveled the world and photographed landscapes in Antartica to wildlife in Africa, took photos of the group and captured amazing images of the event itself. The image below is just one taken at the time of totality.
This spring the institute has offered hikes to Kings River falls, Hawksbill Crag and, later this month, wildflower and birding hikes in partnership with the Ozark Natural Science Center. OLLI hikes range in levels of difficulty and are often led by naturalist guides.
OLLI is based in the College of Education and Health Professions and provides opportunities for over 500 adults to share intellectual interests, meet new people and explore cultural topics with peers. To learn more visit olli.uark.edu.
