Shaniko, population 26, is preparing for a siege of sorts when the solar eclipse happens Aug. 21.

When Cycle Oregon came through Shaniko and asked for 24 volunteers, Goldie Roberts, the town’s 75-year-old mayor, had to be creative. “We have a population of 24 when the kids are in town, not counting the dogs,” she said. According to the 2010 census, the population of Shaniko, located in Wasco County 75 miles south of The Dalles, is 36 but Roberts believes that number is high. There are 21 registered voters and seven kids, ages 14 months to 18 years. Five of them ride a school bus 26 miles to Maupin.