One of my favorite pastimes is travel. Generally, I enjoy a balance of visiting friends and family elsewhere while also exploring new-to-me locations. At the start of this year I took a solo trip to Portugal (amazing) for the first time. But also planned another Pacific Northwest adventure for my son and I. We set aside two weeks to see friends in Portland and visit family in Seattle. Then move on to Vancouver, BC to celebrate my birthday.
Of course, that didn’t come to pass because of the pandemic. Instead I used a few vacation days to safely visit some outdoor spots closer to home. We spent a socially-distanced morning at the MN Landscape Arboretum and an afternoon wandering around the Franconia Sculpture Park.
Normally, I would attend a Pride parade or event as well. The pandemic put the kibosh on most. With the virus surging throughout the U.S., I’m even more fearful of contracting and/or spreading it. So for this, the 50th anniversary of the first Pride Parade, my participation was virtual.
Whatever the next year may bring, I am lucky. I have my home and my health and my wonderful son by my side.
