One Last Walk

We are looking toward our trip home with a strange mix of excitement and trepidation this year. As the Coronavirus numbers increase and news about the subject perforates every nook and cranny of our lives, I took yesterday morning and spent a couple of hours walking the trails in the State Park next door just to disconnect for a while. I walked alone but did run into a couple others searching for the same peace along the way. We exchanged small talk briefly but the vibe hung heavy in the air that we were out there searching for solitude not company.  

Creek through Estero Llano Grande State Park

Texas morning sky

I went armed with my binoculars and camera, just as I do any other nature trail walk but I was not searching all that hard for anything. Mostly, I was just happy to be in the woods and enjoying the absence of synthetic sounds. I did see a Green Heron up close and took a couple of pictures. For some reason I stood for a long time looking at a Verdin nest that showed evidence in the downy feathers left around the entry hole that the Verdins’ were done using it. I’m not sure why it intrigued me so much. Maybe it is because like the birds we are preparing to take flight and leave our winter nest, ourselves.

Verdin Nest

Green Heron at the creek bridge

For Mature Audiences Only

Jeruselum Thorn Tree Blooming

We have packed up our site and are relaxing this afternoon. With any luck the trip will be uneventful. We are both taking a deep breath as we have no idea what will lie ahead in Iowa for the summer. Those who have left ahead of us have been in contact and told us things were business as usual on the road. Except for the contactless procedures in place when checking into the campground. They report truck traffic is heavy, probably hauling toilet paper and bottled water and car traffic is down. We are leaving an area that is currently experiencing relatively few cases and headed into an area that is on a steep increase each day, but it is home and we have to get back sooner rather than later we decided. Iowa is not in nearly as bad a shape as other places around the country, but it is a serious situation.  All we know for sure is that we will not pull into our normal summer spot and spend a joy-filled day seeing the kids and grandkids. All the surprises when we just kind of show up at work places and school yards and tears of joy as we hold grandkids and hug our adult kids will have to wait. Arrival will be anti-climatic to say the least. Uncertainty is the only constant for most everyone these days.

Until Next Time…