Living Small, Avoiding the Spiral

[canyonwalker]

This weekend was a restful one. But it was balanced restfulness. I emphasize that because merely doing nothing, aka sitting home like a slug, has its own downside. With the Coronavirus pandemic entering its third year and the Omicron surge still upon us, it's easy to let the combination of risks and frustrations cause a downward spiral.

This weekend we avoided the downward spiral by getting out for some hiking both days. The weather has continued to be balmy for January, with afternoon highs in the low- to mid 60s (around 17° C) and clear skies. We took advantage of that by hiking Flag Hill in the Sunol Regional Wilderness on Saturday, then hiking to the Tafoni Monolith and the Methuselah Tree in Corte de Madera Open Space on Sunday. Each was only a part-day adventure. Both days we left the house after noon. But both were enough to stave off the doldrums. I'll post more about those outings, including pictures, soon.

Update: Hiking at Sunol Wilderness at Saturday, The Tafoni Monolith (aka SKULL ROCK!), The Methusela Tree

Comments

[sorcyress]

I've really enjoyed going sledding and wandering around in the blizzard (one of the best things about living right on a bike/walking path is that even in Highly Adverse Weather Conditions, I still get to see lots and lots of neighbors out and about!) but wow, I would not mind a day or two of mid-60s! Glad you're able to enjoy it.

~Sor

[canyonwalker]

I'm pleasantly surprised that you see a lot of neighbors outside even in the poor weather. Out here, I don't see much of our neighbors even in the pleasant weather. There's not much out-and-about activity. I see people in their cars or walking to/from parked cars, and that's about it. And sometimes I don't even see that much sign of life. I've long wondered if a quarter of my neighborhood has moved out without selling their houses.

[sorcyress]

I'm just barely outside of Boston (close enough that to anyone out-of-state it's easier to just say "Boston"), which means it's pretty easy to be carfree. It's one of the things I'm likely to select for in the rest of my life --not that I have plans to move elsewhere, but I just don't think I'd be able to stand living someplace where I have to own a car to get around.

~Sor

[canyonwalker]

I didn't mean to put the focus on car culture vs. not. My point was that very few of my neighbors go out and about in the neighborhood. Very few of them go for walks in the neighborhood, use the pool or hot tub in our townhouse complex, or even sit on their patios/balconies on nice days. I know because I do all these things, and I often feel like I'm in a ghost town.

Maybe that's an aspect of other people succumbing to the downward spiral.