For the past several weeks our region has been under a strict lockdown.  Not as bad as the first time in spring, where everything was closed and you couldn’t even leave your house, but a softer version where you can still buy takeaway food and take a walk outside.  But we have to stay near the house or risk being stopped at police checkpoints.  So, we have been hiking the volcano rim around Carney Park, a US military park in a volcano crater.  We had heard about the trails there, but we didn’t ever come because we were too excited about all the other epic hikes available to us around here.  Now, though, Carney is very close to our house and a perfect place to spend many a lockdown hour.  We’ve been hiking there probably 10 times in the last 3 weeks.

Actually, as much as lockdown sucks, I am grateful for these hikes.  Our November weather has been VERY mild and perfect.  The gym is closed, so hiking satisfies physical health needs as well as psychological.  It’s a fantastic treat for Addie, a great time for our family, and it’s been amazing for Matt and I to go there alone together on hiking “dates.”  There is a lot to be said for fully experiencing the place where we live, and I’m grateful for this chance to just be, and hike.