Pandemic Holidays; Outdoor Challenges; New Lifeways
I have decided this will be the last of my blog entries under the title “Covid Journal”. This is not because the novel coronavirus global crisis is anywhere near over. Rather, it’s because at some point we will need to accept that life for us has changed forever, regardless of vaccines, political events or other short-term changes. Most experts agree this will not be the last, nor likely the deadliest, pandemic this generation will see. Many of the lifestyle changes we’ve undergone this year will be permanent even if intermittent, such as international travel restrictions. What better time to come to this recognition than at the dawn of the new year?
The holidays were of course different for me this year, but they were not even close to being the worst I’d ever experienced. They were quiet and subdued, broken up by the occasional Zoom or text chat, and my main activities were neighborhood walks, movie watching, and cooking. I got to go cross country skiing a couple of times (solo), which was tiring but rewarding. For a couple of weeks it seemed our doorbell rang nonstop during the day, due to all the online-ordered gifts we had delivered for each other. Since we live in a small space and are home pretty much all the time now, we didn’t have many decorations. Our “tree” was a cute but minimalist wooden triangular frame atop our table, within which were strung very tiny LED lights. Being home allowed us to have candles lit and a fire going, which added to the cheer and “hygge“ of our little house.
With dine-in restaurants, theaters, and many other places being closed down due to Covid, many more folks are turning to the outdoors for their leisure and entertainment this winter. It used to be that winter was the best time to experience Oregon since most Oregonians (i.e. California transplants) didn’t like the cold or wet and preferred indoor activities in winter. With few other options, the flow of Oregonians to trailheads, parks and Rec areas is just as bad as in summer, if not worse. This makes hiking, biking and skiing much more of a challenge, but I still have my favorite “secret” spots for these.
Things will change, one way or the other, in a multitude of ways in 2021. One significant change for me has to do with my job. Although I still have the same employer, in a few weeks I will transfer to a position that (1) works outdoors a percentage of the time and (2) is expected to report to an office on days that aren’t field days. This will be different for me as I’ve grown accustomed to working from home a majority of the time. But I’m looking forward to this little piece of “normal” operations in my life.
I don’t expect things to suddenly get better just because the number on the calendar changed, and I certainly know things will never go back all the way to 2019 conditions. But I’m cautiously optimistic for 2021, and I hope the best for everyone.
Bike Newbie 