We also enjoyed many walks around our downtown neighborhood trails.
Friday evening hike and picnic at Helen Hunt falls
Tuesday, June 23, 2020
Escape to Colorado
Month after month we've been in Iowa during the COVID-19 social distancing situation. It's time to head out for new scenes. We still aren't comfortable flying so we drove the 11 + hours to our home in Colorado Springs. Don's office is still closed but a change of scenery felt good for ten days.
One of our first evenings there, we packed a picnic supper and headed to Garden of the Gods for a hike.
We also enjoyed many walks around our downtown neighborhood trails.
Friday evening hike and picnic at Helen Hunt falls
A new destination awaited us on Saturday. We drove about 1 1/2 hours to see Bishop Castle. It's an unusual self-built "castle". It was interesting but hardly worth the drive. The day was saved by coming across the Isabel Recreation area where we had our picnic and hike around the lake.
We also enjoyed many walks around our downtown neighborhood trails.
Friday evening hike and picnic at Helen Hunt falls
Saturday, May 16, 2020
Memorial Day Weekend in Indy
Time to leave our house and head to Indiana. We haven't seen our grandboys since February 22 so it was time to break out of the social distancing. We arrived late Wednesday evening and spent five days having fun with Brent, April, and the boys. Swimming, games, basketball and golfing kept us all busy and happy.
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| Cam with their new cat - Ladybug. |
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| Kasen loves building with Legos |
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| Chess with Kasen (he was just learning) |
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| A table full of handsome guys. |
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| Nice weather and a heated pool. |
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| Papa and Cam enjoying games on the deck. |
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| The boys set up a golf hole in the yard. |
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| Time for s'mores |
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| Sunday School via zoom |
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| Church time |
Sunday, March 29, 2020
Coronavirus Social Distancing
Thursday, March 12 we kept our original flights from Colorado Springs to Cedar Rapids. We had planned to be in Iowa for a short day and a half to pack up our suitcases for our Mexican Riveria cruise with Melissa and family that was to take off March 15 from LA. On March 11 we decided to cancel the cruise due to the coronavirus starting up in the United States. We officially called and canceled March 12 and later the cruise line canceled our trip anyway. After the canceled cruise we had debated about staying longer in COS so Don could work from his USAB office, but decided we wanted to get to Iowa in case travel became problematic. Wise decision! By the time we flew the short flight from Colorado Springs and landed in Denver the USAB office closed down and all the March Madness/Final Four games and activities had been canceled.
So on to Iowa for our Social Distancing!!
Social Distancing Week 1: March 13 - March 21
We arrived home realizing we should start distancing, but the climate hadn't taken it to be very serious yet. Saturday we met Judy, Jim, Darrel and Janet in Kalona to eat out at Tuscan Moon for Janet's birthday. It was a fun evening to celebrate Janet, but now we realize that we should have started our social distancing from the time we arrived home in Iowa. We had Judy come up for a steak dinner on her birthday on March 17 (I just didn't want her to be alone on her birthday and we had already been with her on Saturday so we thought it was worth the risk). Those two interactions were the only ones we had except for a trip to the grocery store and library. The library closed the day after we visited and picked up lots of books.
Our week in photo review:
Social Distancing Week 2: March 22 - March 28
Life has changed fast and drastically this week - restaurants, gyms, some stores, library, schools (they've been closed since spring break and extended now), churches, and more have closed down. We made a trip to the grocery store - most have a "senior shopping" hour designated and we stocked up again on meat and fresh produce. By Saturday we have reached the 14 day quarantine so we headed to the family farm to spend Saturday with dad and Judy. I took meals for the day, we played cards, cleaned, and I enjoyed a long walk with my sister.
Social Distancing Week 3: March 29 - April 4
The routine continues! We borrowed my dad's pickup and we continued on the yard - especially the back yard under those messy weeping willow trees. I finished cleaning up the flower gardens and helped with the mowing/mulching of the leaves and picking up the sticks under the trees. We continue to walk the trails around our house and two deer crossed in front of us the other day. We now have a drive through coronavirus testing area in our neighborhood as our doctor's office has been designated as one of those places complete with two tents on the drive. Don has been busy at work in his office and spends most of the time on conference calls or zoom/google with his workmates. They are working on eLearning coaching classes. Extra time in the kitchen this week resulted in a double batch of ham balls and homemade cinnamon rolls.
SOCIAL DISTANCING WEEK 7 - April 26 - May 2
This week began with our 7th week of online church. The BEST surprise happened Tuesday when Melissa and the boys made a donut (freshly made by them) delivery to our house. We haven’t seen them in person such such a LONG time. We’ll be happy when we can go back to hugs. The week ended by celebrating our 12 year old in Indiana with several FaceTime sessions. He used birthday money for a Pop a Shot, which will keep those three boys entertained. We watched geese and goslings near our walking trail this week and Don continues to grill most evenings
SOCIAL DISTANCING WEEK 8 - May 3 - 9
So on to Iowa for our Social Distancing!!
Social Distancing Week 1: March 13 - March 21
We arrived home realizing we should start distancing, but the climate hadn't taken it to be very serious yet. Saturday we met Judy, Jim, Darrel and Janet in Kalona to eat out at Tuscan Moon for Janet's birthday. It was a fun evening to celebrate Janet, but now we realize that we should have started our social distancing from the time we arrived home in Iowa. We had Judy come up for a steak dinner on her birthday on March 17 (I just didn't want her to be alone on her birthday and we had already been with her on Saturday so we thought it was worth the risk). Those two interactions were the only ones we had except for a trip to the grocery store and library. The library closed the day after we visited and picked up lots of books.
Our week in photo review:
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| An Iowan welcome home! |
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| Trying to cancel my Global Entry interview in LA since not going there. |
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| Cleaning and decorating for Easter |
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| Sleep in and enjoy a late breakfast. |
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| My morning place for Bible Study and quiet time. |
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| Daily walk using our wonderful walking trails near our house. |
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| We managed to get 1/2 yard raked and I started planning a new flower garden. |
Social Distancing Week 2: March 22 - March 28
Life has changed fast and drastically this week - restaurants, gyms, some stores, library, schools (they've been closed since spring break and extended now), churches, and more have closed down. We made a trip to the grocery store - most have a "senior shopping" hour designated and we stocked up again on meat and fresh produce. By Saturday we have reached the 14 day quarantine so we headed to the family farm to spend Saturday with dad and Judy. I took meals for the day, we played cards, cleaned, and I enjoyed a long walk with my sister.
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| Church online |
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| After spring break Melissa is back to work! |
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| Walking the trail near our family farm. |
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| Pepper and 99 |
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| IC has been out of toilet paper, but Judy found some in Washington! |
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| Facetiming with grandsons |
Social Distancing Week 3: March 29 - April 4
The routine continues! We borrowed my dad's pickup and we continued on the yard - especially the back yard under those messy weeping willow trees. I finished cleaning up the flower gardens and helped with the mowing/mulching of the leaves and picking up the sticks under the trees. We continue to walk the trails around our house and two deer crossed in front of us the other day. We now have a drive through coronavirus testing area in our neighborhood as our doctor's office has been designated as one of those places complete with two tents on the drive. Don has been busy at work in his office and spends most of the time on conference calls or zoom/google with his workmates. They are working on eLearning coaching classes. Extra time in the kitchen this week resulted in a double batch of ham balls and homemade cinnamon rolls.
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| Enjoyed some sunny days for outside work. |
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| Two deer on our walking path. |
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| The neighborhood Mercy office is now a COVID 19 testing sight. |
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| Don working in his office. |
Social Distancing Week 4: April 5 - April 11
A
month ago we flew home to Iowa from our Colorado home. It seems like we’ve been isolated much longer
than that! The highlight this week was
driving to Cedar Rapids to wish our grandson, Owen, a happy 11th
birthday. From a appropriately social
distance we wished him well, dropped off his present and blew kisses. Gas was $1.19 when we filled up this
week. And a new experience – grocery
shopping online!!
SOCIAL DISTANCING WEEK 5 - April 12 - 18
This week began with Easter services online with my dad and sister joining us
for “church” and dinner. We woke up two
mornings to snow! We are SO ready for
warm spring weather. I tackled cleaning out the kids’ arts/crafts drawers and
games. I decided it was time to sew
several masks and thanks to instructions via YouTube I did get that
accomplished. None of the produce was
included in my grocery pickup, so I headed to the store to buy those
items. We finished the week visiting my dad at the farm.
SOCIAL DISTANCING WEEK 6 - April 19 -25
SOCIAL DISTANCING WEEK 6 –
The routine continues as Don works from the home office and I enjoyed the
spring weather mowing the lawn and tending the flower gardens. The true excitement this week was the Michael Jordan
special, The Last Dance and the broadcast of the Olympic Gold Medal
Classics. My excitement was the installation of a new washer and dryer, a lovely card from a CO friend, and continued use of the walking trails.
This week began with our 7th week of online church. The BEST surprise happened Tuesday when Melissa and the boys made a donut (freshly made by them) delivery to our house. We haven’t seen them in person such such a LONG time. We’ll be happy when we can go back to hugs. The week ended by celebrating our 12 year old in Indiana with several FaceTime sessions. He used birthday money for a Pop a Shot, which will keep those three boys entertained. We watched geese and goslings near our walking trail this week and Don continues to grill most evenings
SOCIAL DISTANCING WEEK 8 - May 3 - 9
The week began with beautiful Sunday weather so
we explored some new walking trails in Coralville complete with a DQ drive
through. I explored a new skill of
playing chess with a grandson in Indiana online and celebrated Brent’s birthday
via FaceTime. One of our first carry out
meals was a pizza from Pagliai’s this week.
Then I spent a few days buying
and potting my flowerpots.
SOCIAL DISTANCING WEEK 9 (May 10 – 16)
This week began with Mother’s Day. I visited the cemetery with my dad and we reminisced about what a great mom she was! We visited Don’s mom being careful to social distance. It was good to see her after so many weeks apart. We are encouraged that the weather is warming (after the storm) and that it feels like spring! We decided to cancel our July family trip to Kauai due to Hawaii’s travel restrictions. This trip has been on our calendars for a year and we are all disappointed that it won’t happen this summer. But excitedly we planned a different beach trip and all eleven of us are looking forward to family time and getting away to Hilton Head.
Memorial Day weekend (see next blog post)
Social Distancing has been good for us as we try to walk our trails each day. Saturday we packed a picnic and headed to Kent Park to enjoy the lovely weather and walk some miles there.
This week began with Mother’s Day. I visited the cemetery with my dad and we reminisced about what a great mom she was! We visited Don’s mom being careful to social distance. It was good to see her after so many weeks apart. We are encouraged that the weather is warming (after the storm) and that it feels like spring! We decided to cancel our July family trip to Kauai due to Hawaii’s travel restrictions. This trip has been on our calendars for a year and we are all disappointed that it won’t happen this summer. But excitedly we planned a different beach trip and all eleven of us are looking forward to family time and getting away to Hilton Head.
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| Mother's Day greeting from Melissa and the boys |
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| Rainbow after the storm |
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| Our house in Hilton Head! |
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| Beach time here we come! |
SOCIAL DISTANCING WEEKS 10 & 11 - May 17 - 30
Finally! We expanded our social isolation bubble by
including our kids and grandkids these weeks.
Tuesday Melissa and the boys stopped in for lunch and we were allowed
hugs! Then Wednesday we took off for
Indiana to spend a long Memorial Day weekend with Brent and his family. Oh, happy days.
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| Sunday dinner at our house |
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| Melissa at work |
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| The boys after their haircuts! |
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| We were so happy to have them for lunch |
Social Distancing has been good for us as we try to walk our trails each day. Saturday we packed a picnic and headed to Kent Park to enjoy the lovely weather and walk some miles there.
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| Deer on our neighborhood trail |
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| Kent Park |
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