Retirement has provided Barb and with so many new adventures, so why wouldn't the 'end of the world' be part of it. Okay I jest, but we have learned to take things a day at a time. Nothing is ever as bad as it seems and if this is "IT" then so be it. We began this trip at the Pacific Ocean where we were shut out of a Native American Resort and a Washington State Park, but finally ended up in a private park to stay for the remainder of our stay. Even this place would not allow us to use their community showers, restrooms, and laundry. But, then WDFW closed the remainder of razor clam season so we just headed back to our good friends Wilma and John in East Olympia, WA. The walls weren't closing in, but we were tripped enough times to wonder.
During our stay on the coast we were able to find nearly all the supplies we needed except for the dreaded missing toilet paper, cleaning wipes, and hand sanitizer. We thank God for 2 freezers full of fish, clams, chicken, pork, crawfish, and venison. I also tried to do most of the cooking for our friends while there as John is in declining health and spent most of the time in the hospital. Barb and I picked up as much of the workload, as we could. A very special SHOUT OUT to Ruby Garlinghouse Clements who baked two large delicious trays of lasagna for us to take back to Wilma and John.
This outbreak is very serious and although far too many of Americans are not taking it seriously enough, we did try to 'shelter in place' in our RV in the country. I have COPD and used my inhaler daily while Barb's allergies and occasional cigarette didn't do her any favors, but we made out fine. We took turns hitting the grocery store every couple of days and only those other essential places, such as prescriptions we needed. I tried to cook every couple of nights to lessen the burden on our host. While here I prepared Boudin Mac n Cheese Goulash, Venison Salisbury Steak, Italian Shrimp, Bacon, and Cabbage, Tillamook BABS n Soup, and Chicken Paprikash to name a few.
Fried Italian Shrimp Cabbage Scallions and Bacon
Boudin Mac n Cheese Goulash
We also availed ourselves of the numerous restaurants that offered take out or delivery services as well to include Jimmy Johns, Old 99 Bar n Grill, and Papa Murphy's. Loved those gizzards, burgers, pizza, and salads!
Camp Meek East Olympia, WA
True it can seem that such isolation is lonely and sometimes brutal, but you can learn to make the most of it, especially when you consider the alternatives. We are very grateful we had our friends, but movies, fireplace time, etc. help as well. The daily routine is what you make it. I'm sure a few more folks learned how to prepare meals they didn't think they were capable of, but they did try. Fear kills a lot of skills and abilities. We refused to relent. I did see far too many folks still on the road when they didn't need to be although I heard it was far worse in other parts of the country. We took our precautions, washed our hands, used the Clorox Wipes and Lysol Spray along with latex gloves at every opportunity. We also stocked up on latex gloves and face masks for our upcoming travels. Keeping our distance while RV traveling is easy. The absolute worst part for us was not being able to see our children and grandchildren while here. I understand the reasoning, but it still hurts. We did drop off some clams at our son's place to his girlfriend before leaving. We stayed pretty much in quarantine for 25 days.
We are leaving Washington in a few days, heading east. Yet at home in Michigan there are stories of all the tourists and snow birds beginning to make their way north with spring approaching oblivious of what they could be doing. Michigan's virus rate is rising rapidly and it's no wonder why. We are grateful beyond belief for the hospitality shown by our friends. Our thoughts and prayers remain with those left behind and still ahead. We pray for John to get better day by day and be able to come home once again soon.
"Do the wise thing and the kind thing too,
and make the best of us and not the worst"
Charles Dickens
WiFi courtesy of Verizon MiFi
No comments:
Post a Comment