Our vacation plans for the summer changed and we decided it was the perfect time to road trip and see the great outdoors and part of the country in a season we here is the best; a Colorado Summer. It did not disappoint and DF and Nora said they like it better than the beach. Nora asked if it could be a tradition. Ikey still likes the beach best. The bigs said they like it better because there was more to do and that is true. Mountain biking, hiking, beautiful lakes and streams, seeing wildlife, and a snowball fight, bike park with ramps and jumps, fly fishing, s'more making, water rafting, dinners outside, you get the idea. Franklin and I felt ourselves relax more than we have in months and seriously did not want to leave. We even added an extra night at our VRBO. We thought it was beautiful and look forward to going back! Skinned knees, dirt under the fingernails, sweat, blood, a few tears, but mostly smiles!!!
Disclaimer** We were in self quarantine and total isolation for almost 8 weeks with the exception of my mom and some outdoor distanced visits but mostly we only saw ourselves. Franklin still went to work everyday but was distanced and masked. He saw far more people than we ever did but because he was "essential". It was hard, we were afraid. Last week, July 3-11th, was the first time my children have been inside a store since March. (we were all masked). We try to be safe, we try to do all of our visiting with friends and family outside and distanced, we wear masks any time we enter an enclosed, public place. I have fear and worry and spry the bottoms of their shoes with alcohol, we wash and have bottles of hand sanitizer and masks all over the house and cars, I am aware and careful and don't get close or for long periods of time but my kids are extroverted, and emotionally struggling. The older ones the most. They were having a very hard time in total isolation from their friends and we made the call to carefully and cautiously re-engage on some level. There are many opinions about what is right and what is wrong, what is true and what is false and honestly I see all perspectives and while I don't agree with all opinions, I do respect each family's right to decide and choose what is best for them and their family's well-being. No one makes decisions casually anymore and even the simplest choices are difficult. Take care, be safe and let's try to let hope and love lead the way.
