chapter 557

May 25, 2020

Phases of the Pandemic

phase one

Lest I forget what it was like in some future day, I continue documenting. You might think it would be impossible to sell a house and buy another one. Where there’s a will there’s a way . We moved some of Shawn's stuff down to my house during the transition of his house purchase. High School seniors didn't get a normal graduation ceremony so a sign is posted next door. 

We have entered phase 1  in NY whatever that is - moderate opening of society. No outdoor tables at the fish fry so I snuck around on the back steps like a homeless person munching on my fish fry quickly before I get caught sitting. They are still thinking about opening the beach at Lake George...although the New York City Beaches will be open (at half capacity).

I've added an old Virgil classmate, to the email list. She lives in Kalispell, Montana and agreed to give me a little byline on the covid there. Had to pull out some old slides from when I drove there in 1965 approaching the Big Sky Country of the Montana Rockies. Old Ansco camera was pretty poor with Ektachrome film in it but Topaz helped a lot to resurrect the scene. Such a beautiful place.

Another shot on the way in headed toward Kalispell came out way nicer than the slide was.

Although Montana's infection rates are low with their whole State's total about equal to our Saratoga County's (500ish) the husband of her friend died of covid after returning from over-wintering in Arizona.

She's pretty much just been hunkering down with her old cat "Kitti Kat' for the last few months.

The New Normal Phase One. OMG. Take me back to the good ole days of the complete lockdown.

Went to my semi-remote Anthony Kill launch where I'd typically see one car parked. This day TWENTY. FORGETABOUTIT. Although I expected to see some increase this was too much for me. People now feel free to come outside, the same thing I've been doing right along during the shelter in place (and lifelong). But not for me now. I'm staying away from the crowd- not because I'm afraid of coronavirus, there's still plenty of room outside, I just don't want to be around that many yahoos, it ruins the experience. Let's hope they forget about outdoor recreation after this is all over.

Pent up demand, newbies trying local outdoor recreation, plus Memorial Day and great weather created the perfect storm, a tsunami of covid backlash fever.

Park at your own risk.

After abandoning my launch, I proceeded around Round Lake to the other two launches that I knew would be even more crowded. They were. This one on the main Rte 9 and DEC constructed ramps way in back was a covid hot spot. Just had to laugh and go home for a nice river walk with Colleen. This little lake used to get just a handful of recreationalists. 

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