Coronavirus-induced "distancing."

We do not in any way to wish to make light of COVID-19. We are aware of the likely protracted infection rates to come, worried about the susceptible members of our population, hopeful for a timely vaccine, and supportive of social containment measures.

We are also enjoying every bit of social distancing we can get.

Our last two social events this week, as the community grappled with what to do to combat the spread of the virus, were a cool USASOC VTC with the International Space Station (at which the kids and their friends, predictably, acted terrible)

and Case's 10th birthday (at which four women attempted to take seven kids to a restaurant and immediately regretted it).

Other than that, our week consisted of work, fishing,

and pizza dates. (The new La Dolce Vita is worth the drive.)

Despite the mayhem, we had complicated plans to meet the Ryans in the mountains and hang out with the kids while Natalie picked up their new dog, and we decided that Black Mountain- one of my favorite mountain towns- was probably safe. After much debate we wound up keeping our plans, and the long weekend found us boating (there were casualties),

fishing,

holding weenie roasts,

and embarking on death-defying hikes.

 

 It turns out that social distancing is good for the soul.

The kids were handsomely rewarded for their hiking prowess (I made them save their treats to eat while I enjoyed mine, at the vaunted Pisgah Brewing),

and the new dog was procured. And he was enormous.

Seth convinced me to stay an extra day, knowing that coronavirus panic would take over immediately upon my return, and we spent it checking out the stunning Folk Art Center on the Blue Ridge Parkway

and hiking to the very cool Rattlesnake Lodge Ruins.

We celebrated our last night before returning to the real world with White Duck Tacos (outside with 6 feet of distance at all times and lots of hand sanitizer required),

 

(empty) playgrounds,

and campfire s'mores.

It was tough to come back to work, although while I'm working through the crisis I'm delighted to get photos like these: Dad of the Year taking the hooligans (who are out of school) fishing and to generally act terrible with impunity.

 

At least I still have dibs on dinner time.

Lots of faves from an idyllic (and maybe a last-of-its-kind) weekend, but I adore this silly one of rhododendron bunny ears on our Sunday hike.

Cheers to weathering COVID-19 with lots of outdoor time, and our thoughts are with everyone with less flexibility than we have to enjoy the silver linings.