Lately, the whole confinement & quarantine life thing has been affecting even this introvert. Sure, I’m trying new things, as I’ve mentioned, like trying vertical tower gardening, to incorporate more nature into my life beyond staring out of the windows & taking pictures; yet, these things can’t replace the annual summer events to which I look forward the rest of the year. Namely, I’m missing New England. The New Hampshire farm & the lakes, the ocean coastline of Cape Ann, & the estuary & bay of Narragansett in Rhode Island. And I miss family, doing things with family–like cookouts, beach days, evening bonfires, fireworks, parades, etc. I could go on & on. So, yeah, I’m pretty homesick. Don’t get me wrong; I love the beauty of Utah. It’s stunning here & the parks are spectacular when you can get out & visit them. But being cooped up so far away from the people & places with which I’ve spent most my life has presented me with a particular challenge. That’s why, last weekend, I delighted in an escape from the home that not only gave me the gift of stunning landscapes but also the joy of seeing family who visited on their way to Santa Barbara.

My sister-in-law & niece kindly stayed in Park City for a couple of days that allowed for catching up & some sorely needed in-person socializing. I mean, FaceTime & video conferencing just aren’t the same. It’s certainly better than just an audio call, but it’s not the same as being in the physical presence of people you love.

After the mirthful visit & lunch of bistro sandwiches & truffled fries, the ride back to Cottonwood Heights from Park City, using Guardsman Pass into Big Cottonwood Canyon, proffered amazing views & even snowy peaks in late June. The mountains, hills, & trees reminded me of New Hampshire & the White Mountains, as the Wasatch range remained lush & green so early in summer. It’s a treat to see everything so green in Utah, as shortly the scorching temperatures will dry things out in the upcoming months, revealing a rugged land covering of brush & crabgrass that displays its own sort of Western beauty. I enjoyed getting out into nature, even though I could see many cars parked along the road at hiking spots & picnic areas, reminding me of the need for social distancing. Even though we’ve been very fortunate to date in Utah re: COVID-19, I certainly know that we need to stay smart & vigilant about maintaining cautionary measures. Yet, even a car ride seemed such a treat!

Once the afternoon haze started to burn off, blue skies & an expanded line of vision exposed lovely vistas & sweeping views.

Ultimately, Big Cottonwood Canyon stole the show, with the mountains, cliffs, & towering craggy peaks. I couldn’t help but take plenty of pictures so that I’d be able to enjoy nature again later, as I’m doing now as I write this blog entry. My hope is that sharing this beauty with you, dear reader, brings some small bit of happiness to your lives. Believe me, as an introvert, it’s not like I get out & explore everyday. My work & role as a mother keep me pretty confined right now during the week. Even using vacation time seems futile to a certain extent, as “stay-cations” aren’t really vacations. “Vacation” has as its root “vacate,” meaning to leave & remove oneself from the usual environment. But this virus & its recent surge in so many states reinforces the need to stay home & stay safe. Maybe my clinical anxiety makes me more sensitive to risk, but seriously the mathematician in me speaks truth supported by data. Numbers don’t lie. Communal spread is a real thing, & we need to contain this virus. I get it. We want out. We want to enjoy summer months with the things we normally enjoy–but is it worth one’s life??

There are so many things we don’t know about this virus. People of ALL ages are now getting sick. The symptoms are evolving, & we are seeing new means of transmission. Simply put, I’m not willing to risk the lives of my loved ones for the luxury of more entertainment or variety. The numbers of the infected continue to climb exponentially day by day.

Maybe it’s a benefit that I grew up as the youngest in a big family & spent a great deal of time at home? My mother was very protective, so I rarely visited other kids’ homes or had sleepovers. Those kinds of events needed to occur at our house so that my mom could keep an eye on things. So, remaining confined to the house now isn’t so bad as an adult, & being an introvert also helps me with this. But summer weather does entice me to want to be outdoors–& having the option of visiting home taken from me definitely exacerbates my homesickness. When seeing the Wasatch Mountains, I’m reminded of New Hampshire, so future car rides up to Mirror Lake through the Uintas will be a definite. The scorching temperatures found in late July & throughout August find a 20-degree drop (90 degrees to 70 degrees) due to the shade, forests, & elevations. More imagery to come.

And so I will leave you with a couple of images of Big Cottonwood Canyon & its majestic peaks. What kinds of escapes into nature do you manage, dear reader, while still staying safe & mindful of the need for social distancing/quarantining?