I watched the total solar eclipse in a city that doubled in size during the event. I don't regret it.

Burlington is the state's largest city, but with a population of only 44,000, it feels more like a big small town. Its tree-lined streets are relatively quiet, there's hardly ever traffic, and everybody seems to know everybody.

My parents live just 20 minutes away, so I didn't have to scramble to book a pricey hotel room. I watched the eclipse from Burlington's scenic Waterfront Park and enjoyed three minutes and 15 seconds of totality.

In the days leading up to the eclipse, an estimated 50,000 eclipse tourists poured into Vermont to witness this event.

On Friday, the state's most utilized rest area saw a 200% rise in traveler numbers compared to this day last year, followed by another 225% spike on Saturday and a 168% spike on Sunday, according to VT Digger.

The boardwalk at Waterfront Park was the perfect place to watch the eclipse. It faces west, looking out over Lake Champlain and the Adirondack mountains, offering a picturesque backdrop for the eclipse.

Even as the crowd formed, there was a sense of calm that kept things from feeling too packed. Folks found their viewing spots and stayed put, chatting with others nearby, offering photography advice, and enjoying the sunny day.

When totality hit and the sun's corona peeked out from behind the moon's shadow, cheers erupted from the crowd. But then it grew quieter as people took in this awe-inspiring sight. Excited, hushed voices could still be heard amidst the clicking of camera shutters, but the three minutes and 15 seconds were remarkably serene.

As soon as totality ended, there was a mass exodus from Waterfront Park. People packed up their chairs and cameras and headed back uptown.

I braced for slow-moving, congested foot traffic as I, too, made my way back toward Church Street — Burlington's main marketplace. But it wasn't too crowded at all. Luckily, the city had closed certain roads to driving traffic ahead of time to allow people to walk safely and quickly back into town from the waterfront.

Burlington is an incredibly tight-knit community, and I'm reminded of that fact every time I return to this city for an event. A swarm of people may feel claustrophobic in any other city, but in Burlington, it feels interconnected.

I enjoyed chatting with other eclipse-watchers in the crowd about where they traveled from, who they came with, and why they were excited about the eclipse. Complete strangers mingled, snapped photos of each other, and were mindful of others' space and needs.

This kind and cooperative atmosphere made traveling to a city that doubled in size a stress-free, fun experience.