Fresh Air, Fresh Perspective
2020 has sure brought forth a long list of items and restrictions that many Americans, including myself, previously never thought twice about. I recently proposed this question on social media: ‘What is the top item that you promise to no longer take for granted once life returns to what it used to be?’ Top answers included things such as: hugs, open conversations, fresh air, more hugs, mask-free living, peace, walking kids to in-person school, and a lot more hugs. Amen to ALL of that!
For those of us on the West Coast of the US, we were hit by horrific fires only a few short weeks ago. Entire communities went up in flames, our whole county (one of the most populated in the state) was placed under some level of evacuation order, and our usually pristine air quality plummeted to some of the worst in recorded history of the entire world! To say that the long list of restrictions, partnered with a dark and smokey haze was suffocating, would be both the hard truth, as well as a vast understatement.
The morning that we drove away from Oregon happened to be the same morning that the smoke cleared. The heaviness lifted away from the air of our friends and family at home, but also from our hearts as we crossed the state line into Idaho. This was really happening, the time had come, and we knew that grand adventures and future memories would lie ahead!
Idaho brought more than beautiful lakes and towering trees, it brought a glimpse into what used to be, and to what I hope will soon follow. We spent time in Post Falls, Coeur D’Alene, and Sand Point, all cities in Kootenai County. A county that has overturned the state guidelines of mandatory masks, and in exchange, returned to a place where people are gathering, connecting, and where our family was reminded of what it was like to feel FREE for the first time in a very LONG time!
Post Falls Idaho
Pizza, beer, and live entertainment was music to our ears!
Red Lion Inn, Post Falls
We ate at an outdoor brewery where we enjoyed the talents of a local musician, something banned in our state. We chatted openly with our waitress, without the barrier of a mask. We swam in a pool without restriction. Exchanged warm smiles with strangers. And what got me choked up: our kids ran freely through a forested park, as they leaped onto a wooden playground and swang, and hung, and giggled as children should. The moment was powerful for me! For six months, they have only viewed playgrounds and parks through plastic barriers. caution tape or metal fencing. We played at that park for what felt like hours. This was their moment to be carefree, to remove all worries of the world, and to simply PLAY! A moment I wish we could hang onto forever.
We visited several parks that day, savoring the sweet joy found in each. We wandered the picturesque tree-lined streets of downtown Coeur D’Alene, dipped our toes in several freshwater lakes, enjoyed local ice cream, and started our count of wildlife. We ended the day at over 50 deer and a herd of elk as we passed the ‘Welcome to Montana’ sign. This state would be our home for the next month. Big mountains, big skies, and big hope for what is to come. Deep breaths in, deep breaths out… the fresh air has never tasted sweeter.
