Greetings from Kitsap County, Washington! It’s been a month since I returned to the Seattle area. I moved onto my friends’ property in Port Orchard a little over two weeks ago, and we’ve been busy little bees, adding the 50 Amp electrical,
securing their backyard for the fur babies,
(fencing)
(no more getting under the hot tub!)
and doing some purging and reorganizing at their house. Goodwill has opened again for donations, so we are piling up and preparing for a big drop off soon.
Meals have been mostly home cooking, with Ken and Rhonda serving as Guinea pigs for my test kitchen.
(Father’s Day Crab Cakes Bennie)
While I now feel confident about getting contactless home delivery meals, there are only a handful of good restaurants in the area, but we’ve decided that’s a good thing. It’s certainly better for our pocketbooks. We order groceries online through Instacart, wondering how we ever lived without it.
Chances for socializing outside our little bubble have been sparse. We take pretty strict precautions, while others can afford to be more relaxed. I met Kathy at a dog park in Silverdale, where we stayed six feet apart; saw Gary & Susan at a distance on their deck on Fox Island; and go down the hill to Trudy & Izzy’s, where we sit in their back yard.
Rhonda and I take short drives for a change of scenery. We spent one of her days off exploring sunny Stretch Island
and Treasure Island in nearby Mason County.
I now know two people personally who have contracted C-19. My friends’ 22-year-old daughter in Houston appears to be recovering, but those high fevers at the outset were scary, and so far my friends remain well as they care for her toddler. Pete in Federal Way, Washington, a suburb of Seattle, died this month, after feeling ill for the first time the day after Memorial Day. I think back on my “hit the road” party five years ago, when he, his wife Gail, and I talked after every one else left, and they kicked us out of the bar to close.
(Photos: Gail Harvey)
A small sense of normalcy returned this week when I camped for five days at Belfair State Park, on the southern tip of Hood Canal, a 30-minute drive from P.O.
The weather was glorious. I didn’t want to leave.
Rhonda and Ken came out for dinner, and another day Izzy and Casey kayaked
while Trudy & I distanced at the campsite and walked around the tidelands.
At least once a month this summer I have reservations at a state park. I break camp to dump the tanks anyway, so why not get away and give Rhonda and Ken a breather?
The fur babies had their annual checkups, and I’ve got a slew of medical appointments coming up in Seattle. So far I’ve been to the dentist, and I was really impressed with the precautions they are taking. Medical offices are probably the safest place to be right now. As long as you are not in a hotspot, please don’t delay elective procedures and preventative care.
I subscribed to MasterClass and am enjoying online writing classes by authors like Margaret Atwood and Dan Brown.
(Judy Blume)
I’m writing my first novel three hours a day, every day, and it is pouring out of me. And here I was, worried I wouldn’t have anything to say.
Yes, the world has gotten pretty small for a nomad like me, but I’m not complaining. I get to be in close proximity to two of my favorite people, and that means everything right now. From a distance I can still see friends who take similar precautions, and we are discovering that our friendships are not about cocktails and meals. Just being in each other’s company and sharing conversation is enough for now.
I’ll have more to say on the blog even though I’m standing still. It will still (mostly) be about RVs and traveling, I promise. I know you didn’t sign up for another installment of “As the Stomach Churns.” I might post a little less often as I write the book, so please stay tuned!
This Post Has 9 Comments
Sounds like you are in a good place. Enjoy your good friends and relax.
Florida is seeing an uptick so we are staying close to home.
Stay safe!
Good to see you carefully out & about! We are also enjoying the PNW summer & doing some repairs on HOW. No dates for rollin out yet, watching the virus. Wish we had a 50 amp you could plug into!! Perhaps in the future, something we’re thinking about for us to use so stay tuned! Stay safe♥️
I rarely comment but so thoroughly enjoy reading your travelogs! My wanderlust has been tightly boxed and stored on a shelf so I venture the byways snd enjoy our fascinating nation through you. So happy to read that you are in such s safe and pleasant location and yet finding ways to maintain your zeal and independent “nomad” spirit. Peace, Good Health and Safe Travels continue to be your constant companions!
Hi Tammy,Your location in Washington state looks beautiful. Good to see your blogging face on the screen! We are leaving today for the NC mountains for a week and are planning a Harvest Host trip in July for about 3 weeks up around Va. ‘s Shenandoah Valley assuming we can cross into Va. at that time. Covid is making an angry comeback. Ward wants to know how much it cost to install 50 amp service. Mores later. Kiss the fur babies for us.
I forget how “green” the PNW can be! The area looks like a nice place to hide out for awhile or longer.
Stay safe!
It is good to be safe, doing what needs to be done plus fun stuff, too. Good luck with your novel.
Glad you’re safe with friends, and the monthly ventures to state parks are a great idea! We’re doing one in July ourselves. Stay safe! 🤗
Glad you had a safe journey and are all spudded in up there.
However, … just don’t get too comfortable – you need to get back out here with the rest of “us” before you forget how!!! 🤪
Stay safe and in control! 😬❤️
Sounds like you have settled into a comfortable rhythm for your new normal – I guess we are all striving for that or at least we should be so I am happy for you and look forward to more blog when you get to it – plus super pumped to see what you come with for your book 😀!! XOXO