Americans prepare for a total solar eclipse

The final countdown is on the the solar eclipse that will blot out the soon across many parts of the US.

For some spots in the heart of the country, it's the biggest event they've ever seen…. with tens of thousands of people pouring into their rural towns.

Mary MacCarthy reports from Nebraska:

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PACKAGE: http://fsnradionews.com/feeds/0821Eclipse-mm.mp3

SCRIPT: This may be the first traffic jam this road has ever seen.

INSERT: "It's just been crazy, guys, we've had a couple miles long of traffic several times, both directions over the road. We're just trying to keep everything moving."

Hotels and airbnbs here in western Nebraska have been sold out for months, which means the majority of eclipse tourists are camping…

INSERT: " It took me over three or four days because I stopped along the way. But of course I'm here for the eclipse. Hopefully it won't be cloudy, it won't be raining and we'll have a good one."

People here drove hundreds, some of them thousands of kilometres — and many are equipped with special telescopes.

INSERT: "We're going to hook up some cameras, get a lot of pictures, and take a look at them later."

This 79 year-old has seen two other total solar eclipses, and says he didn't hesitate to hop in his camper and rough it for two nights to see this one.

INSERT: "it's sunset in every direction around you, and it's just very amazing to see it when it goes into totality."

And this is the center of the excitement here in Nebraska: Carhenge.

It's a replica of Stonehenge, made out of automobiles. Thousands of people are flooding in from other states to watch the totality of the eclipse alongside the governor and other dignitaries.

Neighbours of Carhenge are cashing in by renting out their fields to campers, and selling souvenirs.

INSERT: "We had these ones made to look like old motel keys. And we had some solar eclipse ones made but they sold out so I can't show you those."

Meanwhile those lucky enough to get a hotel are staying in the nearby town of Nebraska.

INSERT: "Yeah we came in from Boston, flew into Chicago, stayed a night at my parents, took a train to Omaha where I met my friends, and picked up a Winnebago."

Alliance has just 9-thousand residents, and spent several years preparing for the influx of eclipse tourists - folk musician KK was on the preparation committee

INSERT: "Oh it's awesome. It's so great to see this come into our community for a universal event, see all these people come from so many countries, into Alliance."

After weeks and months that have been marked by political divisions in the U.S., an event like this might be exactly what everyone needs…

An opportunity to gather, have some fun, do some camping, and countdown to the eclipse.