Stay safe, stay at home

Indian plum in bloom (Mel's picture)

A couple of days ago, our governor Jay Inslee issued a proclamation stating that all residents of Washington state are mandated to stay at home, except for essential needs, such as buying food, seeing a doctor, or picking up items at the pharmacy. He also closed all state parks AND hiking trails. There is also a restriction on gatherings of any size, no matter how small. Therefore, we have stopped our social hiking activity for the moment.

Proclamation to impose a Stay Home – Stay Healthy Order throughout Washington State by prohibiting all people in Washington State from leaving their homes or participating in social, spiritual and recreational gatherings of any kind regardless of the number of participants, and all non-essential businesses in Washington State from conducting business, within the limitations provided herein. (my emphasis)

We have learned that city and county hiking trails are still open, but only if physical distancing guidelines of at least six feet (or 1.75 meters) between people are followed. The restrooms are open and being sanitized several times a day. I decided this morning to head out to Lake Padden to make two loops around the lake (5.2 miles). My friend Melanie texted me and asked if she could join me, so the two of us enjoyed each other's company, although from a distance.

Mossy log with Lake Padden in the distance

It was a nice outing, familiar and easy, one I often make with the Saturday morning ladies group, which is also currently on hiatus. In fact, everything in my entire life is pretty much on hold, so I'm having to get creative to peel myself out of my easy chair and get exercise these days. I really didn't realize how unmotivated I would feel when it's just me.

Pretty flowers at the grocery store

In other circumstances, seeing all these beautiful flowers at the grocery store would brighten my spirits, but it's a struggle to see much in our current situation as being positive. I went for coffee at the local co-op this morning, and I learned that I would need to get in line (with six feet between us), since the store is only allowing 25 shoppers in at a time, and we had to wait until people left the store before anyone else could enter. Once inside, it was easy to order a soy latte and grab a breakfast burrito before leaving and going off to the lake.

We will get through this, but I am truly surprised at how difficult it has been for me to lose my normal daily routine. No gym, no yoga, no acupuncture, no massages, and now no hiking group. I believe that a few of the regulars were going to hike the trail that was on the schedule, but it's not one I much care for, so I opted for the easier hike. It's pretty hard to maintain social distancing when you have more hikers, anyway.

I'm rethinking just about everything in my daily routine, which has changed so much I barely know what day it is. At least I'm still getting enough sleep! What else is there to do?
:-)