We’ve been on the move.
We’re escaping the constraints of COVID-19. Escaping the usual surroundings. Escaping the smoke.
Thanks to the Chaffee family, we’ve been able to get in some rotations on the peninsula. A couple weeks ago, we hit the road for a weeklong family vacation in eastern Washington. We were supposed to be in Italy most of last month. Eastern Washington was sort of a consolation that delivered on the heat and wine, but not quite the beaches, food or culture.
The trip was really good for all of us. We nailed the Airbnb choices, staying at a small farm and a winery to split the week. You and Matteo loved the farm life. We stayed in a converted pull barn and had a horsepen across the driveway. You two ran around saying hi to the horses, goats, pigs and stray cat. The property also included a large pool that we had to ourselves. You jumped off a diving board for the first time and with major confidence, quickly progressing to canonballs and aerial spins. You also got more comfortable without a life jacket on the shallow end and could swim the width of the pool without assistance.
The winery was less entertaining for you than it was us. The condo was super spacious, and we bought some toys and puzzles to keep you busy. We turned down the heat in the hot tub and got in there a couple times each day. We drove into Yakima to grab some baked goods and got on the Yakima River one day. In the evening we turned on the TV as babysitter for you and Matteo and walked across the driveway to the Freehand Cellars tasting room to enjoy a bottle of wine.
On our way back home, we drove alongside Mt. Rainier National Park and stopped at Rimrock Lake for one more dip in a natural pool. Well, I swam while you and Matteo caught frogs on the shoreline.
We escaped home again this past weekend because the air quality was so bad, and continues to be. There are wildfires up and down the West. We’re lucky to just be dealing with bad air while others are being evacuated from their homes or have lost them entirely. Still, we didn’t want to be stuck inside so, on a whim, drove up to Bellingham to crash with your cousins. That was a primo decision as you got along so well with Harry and Winnie, and your Mom and I got another break to have some time with your Aunt Nina and Uncle Jeff.
We’ve been on the move a lot and I think that’s in our family’s nature. We can’t sit still for too long. I can’t explain why. It’s an energy thing. Your Mom and I get energy from going different places and interacting with different people. You’re along for the ride and don’t know any different. Thanks for hanging with all the twists and turns of the year. 2020 has been scary, hectic and is now literally on fire. We’ll get through it. And if we get into a tough spot, we’ll keep on the move — and always moving forward.
Love, Dad