When the trifectas of Covid vaccines were made available in early 2020, I White Man jumped to score mine. I received the two Moderna fixes in Cortez, CO. I gladly made the 100 mile RT drive to get jabbed. Hell, at that point I would’ve driven to eastern Kansas. I wanted out of Covid isolation. I desired a return to my old self. Being a Sociable Hermit instead of a 24/7 Covid Hermit.
I then sat back with a satisfied and protected grin waiting for my fellow Americans to climb on board the Vaccination Train. Well, that didn’t happen. As of this posting merely 55% of Americans are fully vaccinated. (Source CDC.) The US recently surpassed the 700,000 deaths due to Covid benchmark. This is not something to be proud of.
Of course I had an opinion about this:
As summer approached, I started out with high expectations of an increase in human contact. (After the shutdown of 2020, that bar was set extremely low.) I made phone calls, sent texts and emails to acquaintances, possible dates and volunteer organizations as a form of reaching out. The reply rate was seriously underwhelming, as in mostly no reply. Neighborly talk of happy hours and dinners at brewpubs, remained just that. Talk.
Was this the result of Covid’s social distancing hangover? Maybe. Maybe not.
I’m a sensitive guy who deplores being ignored. After going through a period of feeling lonely again. I woke, took a sip of coffee and gazed at the rising sun and thought, “There’s no place I’d rather be than in Durango, Colorado on a sunny summer’s day. I’ll load Sanctuary Too (my truck and camper) for a high country hike and camp out.” My motto became, “Tis better to be alone outside in a pretty place, than to sit at home alone.” So that’s how I spent my summer. I slept more often in Sanctuary Too than in my bedroom in Durango. I chose campsites seven miles away and three thousand feet higher than my nearest neighbors. The sunsets and sunrises were magnificent.
For above tree line social encounters, I did a handful of gigs as a Colorado Trail Angel. I’m pretty sure I appreciated the act of giving more than the hungry hikers appreciated the PB&J sandwiches I provided. Here’s the blog:
Now as the days are perceptually getting shorter and cooler, I’ll set off and venture West behind the Zion Curtain of Utah.
There’s so many places to explore, so little time.
Which brings this post back to Durango and Covid.
It’s been over two years since I gave up the “Homeless by Choice” lifestyle and settled down in Southwest Colorado. In that time I’ve become quite fond of the vibe, energy and easy going nature of this small city of 19,000. It’s been a great fit for me despite a pandemic which, I’ll just say it. Socially Sucks.
But as much as I love Durango, I love the surrounding areas even more. Mountains, deserts
and the canyons in between. It’s all right here. Location. Location. Location.
Cheers and stay safe out there,
Jeff
And it was one of your many outings (and one of ours) that we met you, up Kennebec-way. I've been enjoying your writings, ever since. Hope to see you in person again, soon. Most weeks: Wed/Fri, lunch at Carver's, Thurs/Sat, breakfast at College Drive Cafe. And we should have you out to the farm, sometime sooon.
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