How are you faring in this strange new reality?
I'm doing okay. Sometimes sleep doesn't come easily, and other nights I can hardly keep my eyes open by early evening and sleep deep and long.
But I'm getting outside as much as possible for long walks and bike rides, trying my best to stay socially distanced. On popular trails, it's tight. So I'm going in off hours, whatever that means now.
I'm very fortunate to live within walking distance of the Salish Sea and some woods in a big city park. Getting to these regularly has been a salvation.
During this interlude, which could extend months (?), we're all being challenged to stop relying on driving long distances to trailheads for our outdoors fix. Now it's all about being where you live.
For some of you lucky enough to live on the edge of the mountains, you'll have a lot more solitude this summer. For those of us in more densely populated urban settings, well, we'll do what we can.
I've discovered a sparsely used trail in the woods near my home that has been yielding early spring treasures (like my first trillium sighting of the year and fiddleheads on ferns).
Today on my walk, as I was rounding a bend in the trail by a salmonberry shrub ripe with brilliant magenta blossoms, a shimmering green Anna's hummingbird buzzed past. I watched in wonder as it poked its long thin beak into three blossoms in quick succession. I didn't have time to get a shot.
But it was a magical moment. In that instant there was no pandemic, no anxiety, just a beautiful little bird blessing me with its presence for a few memorable seconds.
I'm very fortunate that my work is still relatively steady. I've worked from home for years anyway, and my normal routine is not that changed.
What has changed is not roaming the region, skiing and hiking. And not seeing friends and family.
My regular morning coffee group has scattered - several are holed up in their vacation homes away from Seattle, and the rest of us are hunkered down here, disconnected. I live alone, so really miss that regular camaraderie. No Book Club dinners, no tai chi classes, no athletic club workouts, no hikes with friends, no regular meetups for tea at my local haunts, and so on. There are some Zoom meetups, so hopefully more to come.
And how are you doing? I'd truly love to hear in a comment below. I promise I'll respond!
Take good care, be safe and be well.
Happy trails and thanks for visiting Pacific Northwest Seasons!
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