Summer break is winding up. We have work to do this fall, in whatever form that takes. The jury is still out on how our jobs will happen. I know Cas starts with virtual school, and I know that Dallas is holding off until the last minute on making decisions (by design- they bought some time by delaying the start to after Labor Day.)
For at least a little while, though, we are living in our new normal world. Cas and I love to travel, and certainly, we will get back to it as soon as it's safe to do so. Until then, we are trying to make the most of being cautious. This summer, we have looked into activities around town. We've ridden bicycles, paddled kayaks and hiked through trails near and far. We've found outdoor alternatives to explore, as well as ways to "go" to places virtually. A few things we have done to save our sanity that I would recommend if you're not already doing them are:
Cas found a way to play board games and card games over the computer with people who are in different places. He has been setting up games with family members and playing with Tabletop Simulator. It's here, in case you (or someone in your circle) is tech-savvy enough to set it up and get it going: https://store.steampowered.com/app/286160/Tabletop_Simulator/
Cas also got us an Oculus headset early in the summer so we could "visit" places we love. It's cool- in addition to fun games, there are places you can go with street views, so we stood on the beach where we were married, and we went to the Acropolis, the Fiords in New Zealand, Niagara Falls- you name it. The headset lets you turn 360 degrees and look around as if you're standing at the place you see. It's pretty neat: https://www.oculus.com/quest/?locale=en_US
We have been keeping up with happy hours. My family has a set happy hour we've done on Wednesdays for a few years. It's just a good mid-week check in and get together. In CoVid times, we have moved that event to a Zoom call. We hang an iPad from the fireplace mantel so we can face it from a pair of chairs while having a snack and a beer. I even taught my dad how to use a Kindle Fire he had laying around to connect. We've done Zoom or FaceTime calls with my dad and brothers, Cas's parents and brother and a few groups of people from our jobs. There have also been in person happy hours, though they have all taken place in backyards. We've got it down to a science. We put our beers or cocktails in a cooler (with water, because Texas), pack snacks, sunscreen and bug spray and load two camping chairs into the trunk. We bring everything we need and leave nothing behind.
And then, there's the trivia. Our third date ever was pub trivia. We played at Addison Ice House in a match put on by Geeks Who Drink. Their questions are clever, if a bit cheeky, and while their content is challenging, if sometimes risqué. It is pub trivia, after all. They have been running a weekly quiz on Tuesdays since this whole thing started, and we have played from home most weeks. They have also added other quizzes throughout the week. If you want to check them out, here you go: https://www.geekswhodrink.com/
Finally, we have kept up with date night. When we first started going out, Cas and I had a set date night during the school year. Every Thursday, we got together. It was low-key by design. Sweatpants were acceptable attire- but the idea was to pick up some easy food- a Subway sandwich, for example- and hang out at one of our homes. Eat the sandwich, watch an episode of the show we were into and just be together. When we bought the house, Thursdays meant we headed to a restaurant. When we all started quarantine, Cas and I kept Thursdays special by making that our one night a week to get takeout. We have hit up some of our favorites and carried their food home. This week, it was Fish City Grill. We've taken things home from Zorba's Greek, C-Rolls Sushi, Nelson's Steak and Seafood, Fajita Pete's and a number of other local places that may not have the cushion of a big restaurant chain.
So, that is my list of things I would recommend. Keep yourselves safe and sane, but don't forget to play a little bit.
As a final note in the "travel" blog, I want to write down the things we didn't get to yet- and may still do in August or September, time permitting:
- Catch a movie at the Coyote Drive In, Fort Worth: https://coyotedrive-in.com/
- Wander around the Dallas Zoo: https://www.dallaszoo.com/
- Do a "photo walk" through Deep Ellum and look at he murals: http://interactives.dallasnews.com/2016/deep-ellum-42-murals/tour.html
- Check out the sandy beach in Little Elm: http://interactives.dallasnews.com/2016/deep-ellum-42-murals/tour.html
