ALL TRAILS LEAD TO ICE CREAM

"Me time" is important but even the most introverted of us are feeling the strain of social distancing right now. While it is necessary, it sure doesn't seem natural.  As an educator, I seriously miss being in my classroom...it is, after all, my chosen profession.  As a son, I'm frustrated that I don't feel comfortable making the drive two hours west and visit my dad and Mary Jane.  As a father, it sucks that my son can't celebrate his 21st birthday today with his friends...like I'm sure he has envisioned for a long time.  (Selfishly, I'm glad he's spending it at home.)  And yes, the provider in me is annoyed, and increasingly concerned, that finding toilet paper for my family is like actually finding treasure on Oak Island.   Maintaining my social distance and straddling the Cumberland/Adams County line in Michaux State Forest .  - March 24, 2020 Here, in York County, Pennsylvania, even though the facilities in State Parks are close...

I was supposed to meet Chris and Ben at Rocky Ridge yesterday afternoon for a Friday afternoon happy hour ride...but Mother Nature was really not cooperating.  Being good stewards of the trials, we all agreed...even before the local park service announced on Twitter that the trails were closed...to postpone until next week.  I have to admit that I was a little disappointed (although I satisfied my addiction with a road ride).  Honestly, it wasn't the fact that the trails were closed that was the most disappointing to me...more so it was that I was looking forward to getting together with Chris and Ben for some trail time with friends.   Nature is awesome...but it is even more so with friends. Once again, I find myself looking back over the past year at those who have shared in my outdoor adventures and I was reminded how blessed I am to be surrounded by so many amazing people.  What follows is a compilation of photographs showing group therapy at its best....