Eclipse 2017: A procrastinator's guide to viewing the total eclipse

Unless you have a few thousand dollars to spare, the time has passed to book a hotel room or buy a plane ticket to view the solar eclipse in the path of totality through the United States Monday.  

But procrastinating Coloradans can still have a five-star viewing experience in the path of totality — that strip of America where the moon will obscure the sun for about two to three minutes.

Whether you just made up your mind or you're just now getting to the dreaded trip-planning stage, here's what you need to do to make sure you see the solar eclipse in its full, century-defining glory.

1. Get your glasses now — and we mean now.

Eclipse blindness is a real thing, so you'll only be able to look at the sun when it's 100 percent blocked by the moon if you don't have special viewing glasses. Americans have obviously caught onto this, because eclipse glasses are selling out fast.

The following stores and agencies told the Coloradoan on Monday and Tuesday afternoon that they were sold out of or not selling eclipse glasses: Lowe's, King Soopers, Safeway, Walmart, Target, Bath Garden Center, the Colorado State University Little Shop of Physics, Fort Collins Museum of Discovery and Al's Newsstand. 

More:What to do if you can't find eclipse glasses in Northern Colorado

It's worth a shot calling other stores, especially those outside of Fort Collins, to see if they're selling glasses or expecting new shipments before Monday.

A search for "eclipse glasses" on Craigslist brings up a lot of options, especially if you're willing to drive outside the Fort Collins area to pick them up. Amazon, eBay and other online retailers are also selling glasses, but prices are steep (in the neighborhood of $35 to $100 per pair). You'll also probably have to shovel out money for express shipping.

If you're buying glasses online, check out the authenticity of the seller and make sure the brand of glasses is listed on the American Astronomical Society's list of reputable vendors.  This is important because the society just put out a warning about "potentially unsafe eclipse viewers flooding the market," not long before Amazon issued a recall on some eclipse glasses. 

If you can't get glasses, try making your own pinhole viewer. Even NASA agrees it's safe. Find instructions at eclipse2017.nasa.gov/how-make-pinhole-projector-view-solar-eclipse or download a make-your-own solar eclipse viewing card from our partners at the Indy Star.

2. Scope out a spot for viewing.

OK, so your eyes are protected. Time to pick a destination. 

A lot of people (including Coloradoan staffers) are going to Wyoming for the eclipse. But southwest Nebraska might be a better option if you're looking for somewhat smaller crowds and want to avoid some of the Interstate 25 traffic. Scottsbluff, Mitchell, Alliance, Bridgeport and Bayard are all Nebraska cities and towns within about three hours of Fort Collins in normal traffic conditions. Closer Wyoming destinations in the path of totality are Torrington, Guernsey and Wheatland.

This story continues below the map.

The internet is rife with maps of the path of totality. Some of our favorites are at eclipse2017.nasa.gov/eclipse-maps.

More:Eclipse 2017: Where you can still stay in Casper, Wyoming

More:Headed to Wyoming for the eclipse? Don't take your weed

3. Come up with a backup plan.

Fight the urge to procrastinate and come up with a few different destination options. We'd suggest one or two in Wyoming and one or two in Nebraska. That way you can check the weather forecast the day before and pick your destination accordingly, or you can redirect if traffic takes a turn for the worse during your drive. Play it old school and bring a paper map, or print out Google Maps directions in advance — highway reception will be unpredictable on eclipse day.

Keep in mind that you might move into the Central Time Zone if you drive far enough into Nebraska. In the Mountain Time Zone-portions of Wyoming and Nebraska, the eclipse will reach totality sometime between 11 a.m. and noon.

More:Your guide to viewing the eclipse in Fort Collins

4. Leave on Sunday or very early Monday.

That way you can avoid the worst of the traffic without having to make extensive sleeping arrangements. To be safe, you should give yourself at least double the amount of time you would usually need to get to your destination, plus another hour or two for scoping out a viewing spot.

You could get up before the crack of dawn on Monday and still see the total eclipse in some of the closer locations, but you might be better off leaving the night before just to make sure a traffic jam or other unforeseen circumstance doesn't keep you from seeing the eclipse.

If that sounds more like your thing, check Craigslist and Airbnb for camping spots in people's backyards or farmland. You could also sleep in your car if you find a good 24-hour parking lot or rest stop. As always, use common sense and put safety first when planning your accommodations.

More:Eclipse 2017: What you need to know

2017 SOLAR ECLIPSE 

What is a solar eclipse? 

A total solar eclipse occurs when the moon passes between the sun and the Earth. The moon appears to completely cover the disk of the sun. By blocking the sun's light, the moon casts a shadow on Earth. 

What if I can't travel for the eclipse? 

Have no fear, Fort Collins. Even though we're not in the path of totality here in Northern Colorado, as long as skies are clear we should still see a partial eclipse, in which only part of the sun will be blocked by the moon. It's cool, but we likely won't notice our surroundings getting dark. 

After this year's eclipse, the next total solar eclipse in the U.S. will be on April 8, 2024, and will be visible from Texas to New England.

Reporters in the USA TODAY NETWORK contributed to this report.