Bay Area eclipse chasers following sun for more than 2 decades

SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- For most people who see the total solar eclipse on Monday, it will likely be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Total eclipses actually happen about every 18 months, but they're only visible in certain parts of the world at certain times.

FULL DETAILS: Rare total solar eclipse 2017

So people who want to see more than one usually have to do some serious travel. They're known as "eclipse chasers" and they include a San Francisco couple, following the sun for more than two decades.

Dr. Donald Abrams says his eclipse-chasing days began on his first date with Clint Werner in 1994. "You know, most people on a first date say, 'You want to go down to the corner and have a beer or something?' But he said let's go to Chile and see a total eclipse of the sun, so I said OK. I called his bluff."

VIDEO: 7 ways to watch the solar eclipse in the Bay Area

But it was no bluff. Abrams and Werner went to Chile and were hooked. They've now seen 15 total solar eclipses together all over the world and have a house full of memorabilia and t-shirts to prove it. They even named their dog after the August 21 eclipse, and he will be with them as they watch it from Oregon.

ASK THE EXPERT: ABC7 Weather team answers questions about solar eclipse

On the day of the eclipse, we'll bring you live coverage on TV and online. Click here for other ways to watch this rare event in the Bay Area.

Click here for full coverage on the total solar eclipse and click here for more information about eclipse chasers.

Written and produced by Jennifer Olney