Covid times

We are just back from a hike on the Appalachian Trail. Parks are open in New Jersey and it was a lovely day. Despite a full parking lot, we hardly saw any people on the trail. We did however see a big black bear. After worrying about the hikers who were not wearing masks, it was almost a relief to worry about something big and menacing. The bear ran away from us but we decided right then to turn around. As good as spot as any!

After being on lockdown for so long, it was definitely nice to get out of town. While I walk the dog all the time on an access road that skirts the Great Swamp National Wildlife Refuge, seeing different terrain was well worth the drive. Phil and Royce were actually on this same trail in March, camping out, when the NJ State Parks closed. A triumphant return in warmer weather and without breaking the law!

In some ways, time has inched by since this all began and in other times, it has flown. We started all this with a frantic rush to bring home our daughter from college. And then her quarantine within our home. And getting everyone set up on their computers in different parts of the house after spring breaks on different weeks were over. Phil is in the basement, me and the dog in the office, and the kids spread out all over (though Adam usually sleeps until past noon which helps with crowd control). These days we just work, sanitize and try not to worry too much about what is coming next.

While I am very sad for all that kids, ours and everyone’s, are missing, this time has not been so hard for me. I like cooking for a full house. I like walking the dog multiple times per day. I like playing board games and cards with kids. We are lucky to be under one roof, healthy and fine. Tori was likely not going to come home for summer with an internship in a different state but now she is home. It was so hard to send her off to college the first time, worrying about cold weather and crime. I am already starting to think about the next time she leaves and how much harder it will be. Well, no black bears at college, at least!