I'm curious.......
Where are you on the spectrum of social distancing?
Over the July 4th weekend, I was looking at pictures on Facebook of many people I know
who were on vacation, or gathering with friends and family.
I had to wonder if we were among the last to adhere to social distancing.
Personally, I'm still keeping my distance.
I'm not on the far end of the spectrum of those who haven't ventured out at all,
but I'm not anywhere close to the middle, either.
I do go food shopping periodically.
I even went into Target and Home Goods for a short time last week.
I felt absolutely giddy walking around Home Goods,
although possibly, it was the lack of oxygen under my mask.
Masking up was a small price to pay for much needed retail therapy, and I didn't stay long.
The temptation to go frequently, or visit other shops
(oh, the lure of the mall!) is strong,
(oh, the lure of the mall!) is strong,
but I continue to stay on a pretty short quarantine leash.
I'm not ready to put myself or those around me in a position of risk.
Admittedly, however, on July 4th,
I couldn't help but think of Independence Days past, without a sense of sadness.
Quarantine life was definitely getting me down.
I needed do something to cheer myself up.
"Want to go for a ride?"
Mr. Goo Shoes said it first, but I was on my way to ask him the very same thing.
Mr. Goo Shoes said it first, but I was on my way to ask him the very same thing.
He suggested something completely different than I expected.......
lunch at one of our favorite little roadside joints.
We hadn't yet taken advantage of the "outside dining" re-openings.
I agreed, both excitedly and reluctantly,
I agreed, both excitedly and reluctantly,
but the desire to do something NORMAL won out.
We agreed that if it looked too crowded when we got there, we wouldn't go.
Considering that it was July 4th, and a beautiful day,
I was pretty sure I'd be eating the granola bar I packed just in case.
Surprisingly, the restaurant was wonderfully empty.......
At 3:30pm, we were in between the lunch and dinner crowds.
We indulged in Connecticut-style lobster rolls
(made with melted butter instead of mayo).
Afterwards, we drove a few minutes north to the Piermont Pier, in Piermont, NY,
which we'd never been to, even though it's only 15 minutes from home.
It felt so good to see someplace new!
Because of the heat, we could only stay about a half hour. Even still, I managed to take about 150 pictures. Not to worry.......most were the victim of my "Delete" button. |
with perfect views of the new Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge to the north.
This new bridge replaced the aging Tappan Zee Bridge,
which connects Rockland and Westchester Counties in New York.
This is a bridge we cross rather frequently....... well, at least we did in life as we used to know it.
We'd take it to see friends, to visit Junior Goo Shoes at college,
and to eat at some of our favorite restaurants.
It's hard to break old habits, so I will probably always call it the Tappan Zee.
And, I will always think of Junior GS' imitation of his high school teacher.......
"Such beautiful truss work!"
"Such beautiful truss work!"
when he took them on a field trip to the former Tappan Zee Bridge.
Looking towards south are views of lower Westchester County, NY.
Just past that is The Bronx, and New York City, which are obstructed due to a bend in the river.
If I swam straight across the Hudson, I'd be at my bestie's house.
Believe me, it was so hot, there was a brief delusional moment when I considered it.
Being near the water always helps my mood.
I wonder if there is such a thing as "water therapy?"
I don't mean swimming in it, or drinking it.......I mean just looking at it.
Do you feel that way, too?
It definitely had the desired effect on Saturday.
I left the house feeling sad and irritable,
but returned feeling a little calmer and happier.
Piermont, NY is a charming town on the banks of the Hudson River,
which we have frequented over the years for its restaurants.
Now, we have another reason to go.......the Piermont Pier.
I can't wait to see the views from the pier in the fall.
Socially distant picnic, anyone?
What a fun and nice place to visit Amy. I enjoyed looking at the photos of Piermont Pier. I've never been there and I hope to visit there sometime in the future.
ReplyDeleteHow beautiful Amy. Glad you could do something a little normal and have lunch and see this beautiful spot. I think to keep us all sane we need to find little trips like yours to feel some fun and joy. Have a great start to the new week.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Kris
I definitely feel happier near the water!
ReplyDeleteI remember visiting the pier and thinking it was a lovely little gem in a lovely little gem of a town. Like you, I will always call the Tappan Zee the Tappan Zee! Not because of old habits but it ticks me off that everyone’s ego has to get in the way of tradition. Ok, off soapbox now.
ReplyDeleteYour shots are lovely, and you have somehow managed to make the usually murky Hudson water look pretty good! I think most people feel better when they’re near the water. For me the mountains are equally restorative, if not more so, but few things can compare to the sound of waves crashing on the shore.
I’m sure for someone with a heart for wanderlust these last few months have been difficult, and there’s no clear end in site which makes it even harder.
As for us, life hasn’t changed all THAT much. We still do what we’ve always done but not as frequently, but just last week I canceled our Italy trip which is a disappointment.
Such a beautiful place. Very lovely. Thanks for sharing it with us.
ReplyDeleteYou are way, way, way, way, WAY more "out there" than I am. When I do social distancing, I do it pretty much whole hog. So, until this week, I've done two very distanced bring-your-own food lunches, twelve feet apart and one dinner with friends, same deal, same distance. I've had to go to one bathroom, which I watched for a half hour to make sure no one was recently in there in a city park. I went to a drive-thru to pick up meds. This weekend I entered my first store -- a bait and tackle epicurean food market with high end sporting clothes (seriously weird, right?). Rick and I were the only two people there, you had to mask. The clerk behind plexi. This happened because I had a big Covid meltdown and had to get out of the house, out of the walking zone, see someplace new. The reason? Having to turn down invites to the wedding a a relative (long awaited) and the two year old grand's birthday. And feeling like it's not much I miss and I rather like my self-contained world. But things like that...special events. That did it.
ReplyDeleteOur state is on the increase after being quite good about all this. More stringent mask rules are set although who knows how well they'll be enforced. No, I mask, I keep apart and I will for as long as it takes. There is too much to lose.
Hi Amy, I remember when the Tappan Zee Bridge was new and my Dad was excited we could bypass the George Washington Bridge to visit his sisters/my cousins in Connecticut.
ReplyDeleteMy outings are limited to the grocery store and Costco every 2-3 weeks. I did get a haircut last week but my guy is the only person working at his shop. Otherwise, my husband and I have been hanging out on the deck, grilling out, eating and probably drinking too much too! All the bad news gets me down too but I'm grateful all my loved ones are healthy. I'm frustrated that it's such a small thing to 'wear a mask' yet there are those who will not comply. My parents' generation sacrificed so much for 4 years during WWII, as Tom Hanks recently reminded us. Stay safe. Joan
This is a nice little respite you found, Amy. We walk every day, usually by the river that runs along our town, and yes, I'd say it's a therapeutic thing. But we also walk through the woods, a little hideaway right smack in the middle of our city limits. The mountains (hills) are also good therapy. I had a close contact brush with COVID at the end of June, in spite of an appt with both of us wearing masks. The person called me 3 days later, having tested +. Luckily, I tested negative 10 days later. It was enough to heighten my diligence in wearing a mask and keeping distant. We haven't eaten out anywhere but our car with curbside pickup. Stay diligent!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful.
ReplyDeletenice
ReplyDelete