2020 brought challenges to everyone. We had great disappointments but as we look back we have been very fortunate. Here's a look back at our year.
Good
We started the year with a two week cruise out of LA on the new Carnival ship, Panorama. Great weather down to Mexico.
BAD
The virus hits!!!!!
After over a year of planning, our European vacation plan went down the drain. Three cruise ships and fifteen countries will have to wait a couple years. The good news was that we were able to get refunds for all the reservations. It breaks our hearts to see the number of folks that have lost jobs. We count our blessings daily that we are in a good position and our immediate family has not suffered badly.
After over a year of planning, our European vacation plan went down the drain. Three cruise ships and fifteen countries will have to wait a couple years. The good news was that we were able to get refunds for all the reservations. It breaks our hearts to see the number of folks that have lost jobs. We count our blessings daily that we are in a good position and our immediate family has not suffered badly.
Good
Okay, no crowds, wear a mask, lets go camping in our virus escape pod. Its nice to have our RV for day trips and longer trips. Having a clean, virus free, bathroom with us is a big plus.
first campout along the Snake River not far from Boise.
first campout along the Snake River not far from Boise.
Second trip: Grand Teton National Park to meet brother and sister. Strange with lots of things closed but still plenty of outdoor space to enjoy the views and fresh air.
Third Trip: Yellowstone National Park is always a joy even with stores and lodge closed We stayed a few nights at Madison campground and at Canyon Village campground..
Fourth Trip: Off we go to the Oregon coast. Camped at Cape Lookout State Park then near Waldport at a VRBO with kids and grandkids.
Fifth Trip: We went to north Idaho and stayed at Winchester Lake state park and Farragut State park. Farragut has a nice museum of Naval history when the site was used as a training base during WWII.
BAD and UGLY!
Our next trip was to Silver Falls state park in Oregon. A strange weather event caused extremely high winds out of the east causing huge trees to fall and massive forest fires. We were woken at 5 AM and told to get out. When I poked my head outside it was pitch dark and ash was falling. We headed for the coast because we thought the air would be good there. We thought wrong. The winds out of the east and number of fires created a choking blanket of smoke that covered all of western Oregon, parts of Washington and California.
Good again
One last trip to the coastal area north of Seattle and then around the Olympic peninsula. Travel is still strange with the small businesses closed. When we roam around the country we always enjoy the mom and pop restaurants and the occasional antique store. We sure hope they are able to come back next year. We found that folks in Washington were much more serious about wearing masks than in Idaho. It sure is frustrating to see people not being safe.
