What a year this has been! For Helen and me, 2020 falls somewhere in the range between blessed and challenging. We had the challenge of not having the opportunity to share time with family and friends. We miss sharing time with my Mom, who is doing well, especially for someone at the age of 92. Still, she remains strictly quarantined in her retirement home. The care and attention she receives are exceptional, but there are no hugs, and time for visits is divided among all of the other residents. A vaccine can’t come fast enough.
When the year began, COVID-19 was only a rumor about a disease spreading somewhere in China. Little did we know what was to come when we left for Florida on January 1st. We ignored the stories and had a splendid time with my sister and brother-in-law camping in lake Kissimmee before working our way to Key West, where the food was fantastic, and the weather was even better. We arrived home a month or so later, tanned and rested. The rumors of a disease with no cure persisted and grew stronger.
In March, Helen and I planned a trip, leaving in April, for California to deliver a small trailer to our son. We booked all of the reservations, stocked the trailer with food and other necessities, including a few surprises for the grandchildren. Within a week of the departure date, campground operators began calling to cancel our reservations. A few held out hope but gave no guarantees of being open when we arrived. We had no option but to cancel the trip, and the rumor became real.
By mid-May, we were familiar with this disease’s risks and felt that we could manage a trip to deliver the trailer if we remained cautious. By then, cabin fever had set in, and two RVs sat in storage, unused. Around that time, our son in Charleston called and offered to tow the small trailer as far as Jackson Hole, Wyoming, if our son in California could meet us there and pull it the rest of the way. Suddenly a family vacation fell into place. We accepted the risks, masked up, and moved out.
The trip required some last-minute scheduling, but we managed to secure enough campsites for the family convoy to Wyoming and enough for Helen and me to continue for a delightful journey to the Oregon and California coast. We encountered plenty of challenges and disappointments along the way. Canada shut the doors on our planned week in Banff, and half of Glacier National Park closed as well. Nevertheless, the vast majority of the experience was splendid and proved worthy of the risk. Campground operators have gone above and beyond the procedures necessary to keep their visitors safe. We made it home in September with some great memories and just a few pictures.
We planned a trip to Edisto Beach, SC, well over a year ago for three weeks of pure vacation. By now, we were comfortable traveling and accustomed to the precautions necessary to stay out of harm’s way. Fortunately, the overwhelming majority of other travelers are just as cautious as us. On the road and in campgrounds, we see very few without masks or ignoring social distance restrictions. We reserved a large campsite in Edisto and moved to and from the beach freely. Just like our trip to the northwest, we cooked in, stayed close to our trailer, and shopped only when necessary. Edisto is always fun, beautiful, and peaceful.
We’re home now and planning a month-long trip to Florida beginning in mid-January. Hopefully, we will have at least one dose of a vaccine by then, as will every citizen who wants one. We’re looking forward to Florida as well as another journey west to visit the places closed to us in 2020. As always, we want you to join us for every mile.
Despite the challenges, 2020 was a joyful year for Easin’ Along. We’re very blessed…and so very grateful.
Beautiful pics Joe!! Always enjoy reading!! Get my vaccine next week🙌🏻….SO ready for all this to be over🙏🏻❤️. Miss you all. ~ Allison
Good morning, Allison,
Please swipe a spare vaccine for me…they won’t miss it, and I won’t tell ;-). Thanks much for checking in and for the kind comments. Hug your beautiful children for Big Daddy and stay healthy out there! Joe
This was a great layout of pictures and text, Joe! Thanks also for the update on Aunt Helen! You and Helen Bruner be safe out there!
Good morning, Eddie,
Thanks for stopping in! Mom’s doing very well, and she gets great care there too. Stay healthy, and say hi to the girls. Joe
Hi, Joe – Your photos here are stunning. Warmth and adventure ooze from them. That is great news that you will be able to get your vaccine next week. The earliest date for the Canadian public to begin getting a vaccine is sometime next April. Sigh!
Hello, Donna,
Thanks for the nice comments! The year certainly was an adventure. My friend Allison (health care worker) is getting the vaccine next week, we’ll have to wait a little longer. Might not be too long, however. I’m on the endangered species list (65+)! Have a great week and enjoy those books! Joe
Hi Joe,
Great retrospective of your year. Loved the photos. We are safe in Florida for the time being, hope to resume our big trip later in the spring(maybe with a vaccine in us as well, although we may be just a tad too young.). Perhaps we could have a socially-distanced meet up!
All the best for the holidays!
Nancy
Hi, Nancy,
Would love the opportunity. We’ll stay in touch! All the best! Joe
So glad you were still able to get in a bunch of travel and enjoy time with family. Let’s hope 2021 returns to something a little more normal. Great collection of pics. You certainly gave your camera a workout!
Good afternoon, Ingrid,
Normal would be welcomed with open arms. We’re still planning to be on the road in 2021. Will be in AZ sometime, but you’ll probably be in WI when we get there. Thanks for the nice comments about the pictures. You were an inspiration. Have a great week! Joe
Beautiful recap of your travels Joe. Other than a disappointments, your year seems to have gone well. I love the pictorial!
We will be in line just behind you guys for our shot(s). Malcolm turns 65 in January and I am already there, so it should happen early on.
We have a trip booked for next November, and will likely do something prior to that as soon as we are able.
Take care.
Suzanne,
Despite the challenges, we had a year filled with some great memories. I really enjoyed going through the pictures and reliving some great experiences. Glad to hear you plan on traveling next year. Bring on that vaccine…I’m “stickable!” Have a great week! Joe
Joe, in a year that has been incredibly devastating on so many fronts, your post highlights two of life’s most positive aspects – family ties and the ability of the natural world to soothe the soul. I love the iconic photo of the Oregon coast – taken from Ecola State Park, if I’m not mistaken. It looks like you had a perfect weather day there (she commented enviously). A round of applause for your sweet post and the wonderful collection of gorgeous pics! Christmas blessings to you, Helen and your family!
Good morning, Mary,
This year was most certainly one to be outdoors as much as possible. Out family time was limited, but fortunately, we made the most of it and it was special. Thanks for the nice comments on our blog post. I had fun putting it together. All the best to you and your family for a healthy and happy Christmas. Joe
Joe and Helen, just love reading your blog and although your pictures have always been good, you have become an incredible photographer. Just beautiful pictures of your experiences and family. Makes me want to hook up a trailer and start the journey right behind you!
Love to you both and we miss you all so much. Many blessings and safe journeys in the upcoming year.
Catherine and Steve
Dear Catherine,
What a treat to hear from you both. 2020 has been both memorable and challenging on so many fronts, but we’re still blessed and very grateful for the opportunities we had. I enjoyed going back through the pictures–our trips were a lot of fun and we witnessed some staggering beauty. Mt. Rainier and its wildflowers had to be at the top of the list. Still hopeful that you and Steve join us in this RV lifestyle. I can assure you that you would love it. As we like to say, “Home is where you hook-up!” All our best to you and yours. We miss you muchly! Joe
What a wonderful year you had, despite the challenges. And it’s all captured in your beautiful photo retrospective. Your landscape photography is gorgeous and takes me to some of my favorite places. 🙂 And your family time looks so joyful. Happy holidays!
Hello, Laurel,
Thanks muchly for stopping by. We had a few roadblocks thrown our way, but this was great year anyway we slice it. Hopefully, we’re seeing the beginning of the end of this plague, ‘cuz we’ll be on the road again in January. We will be in you neighborhood and I would love to have a get-together (most likely socially distanced) if you’re game. I would love to hear about your favorite spots for RVing. Thanks for the nice comments and have a great week! Joe
Joe, thank you for sharing your story and travels of this tumultuous year. Those who are not quite as mobil as we used to be really enjoyed your posting as well when you were “Easin’ Along” and had the chance. Great pictures and since I have an older digital camera, I am interested in your brand and model and how long ago purchased. You know that you two are special friends and if you are connecting virtually with your young men and their families during the Christmas season, give them our blessings also! Best to both of you for a blessed rest of 2020 and full speed ahead for 2021, once that vaccine gets here!😍🎅
Dan,
Thanks for the nice comments and for joining us as we Ease Along. We had a fun year and planning for more adventures in 2021. We’ll make use of Facetime and Zoom for Christmas gatherings with our family, but will also meet up with them once we hit the road. We will let everyone know you said hi. I’m sending you an email regarding my cameras. I’m sold on them and happy to share information. Have a wonderful Christmas and give Nancy a big hug from us. Joe
Wonderful images of a crazy year almost gone by, Joe! Covid made its way through various family members, including myself, but with little ill effects. A year of loss and gain for sure, but you made it work and so did many. I am commenting from Spokane, WA, as we wait for our new home to be built. Cheers to a happier 2021!
Terri,
Glad to know you’re safe and sound in your new homeplace. All the best a fun year and a smooth construction experience. I built homes for twenty years and my only advice is to be patient, flexible, and enjoy the process. I know you’re eager to get started. Please post pictures as you get underway. Thanks for checking in and have a great week. Joe