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Camping
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2021-08-15
Pandemics, Wildfires, and Climate Change
The Covid 19 Pandemic is and was a transformative event representing history in the making. The state of Oregon and particularly Portland witnessed a trifecta of converging crises beginning with the lockdown on St. Patrick’s Day in 2020. That summer was one of the hottest in recorded history and saw the city and state divided in smoke-filled chaos. The literal last words of “I can’t breathe” uttered by George Floyd were being chanted in the streets downtown as wildfires raged in all corners of the state, set against the backdrop of a global pandemic. Everything felt surreal and the tension in the city was like a powder keg. By the following summer some advancements had been made, the first round of vaccinations administered, but the same underlying issues were present in Portland. Houselessness, fractured political ideologies, and Far-Right and Far-Left members clashing in an invisible maelstrom on the Willamette River. My husband and I had adhered to the very stringent guidelines and protocol set by both the city and state to the letter. For a bit of context, my husband worked on the front line as a department manager at a grocery store and wore a mask for eleven hours at a time often six days a week for a year and a half, while I volunteered at the Red Cross and held down the home front. In August of 2021, we finally decided that we needed to get out of town, so we grabbed the dog and set a course for the Crooked River in Central Oregon. It was a two-week period of sheer peace and glory bookended by fear and anger at the negligence of fellow humans. We camped on the river and practiced mindfulness and being present every day, breathing deeply the fresh air ushered in by a strong breeze from the East. The “going there” and “going home” portions were marred by anti-mask protestors with weapons arguing about state’s rights, as death toll numbers were rising. The fires had already burned over a million acres with no signs of slowing down, and the reality of Portland’s social justice issues did not disappear just because we did. The experience left us feeling gratitude for the opportunity to explore, our good health, and open minds, it was our 18th wedding anniversary, in which porcelain is traditionally given as a gift. Ironic, given the fact that not only is porcelain extraordinarily beautiful but also incredibly delicate, a perfect representation of the state of things during the summer of 2021. -
2021-07
My Grandpa and I’s Camping COVID Trip
After 2020, I was looking to travel and try to get back to normal. However, in 2021 I was supposed to go to Europe to see my sister but COVID canceled that trip so I was perplexed at what I could do for travel. Then it came to me, my grandpa is someone who has traveled almost everywhere in the US. With that, he loves to camp and one of his favorite spots that he always mentions is Mackinac Island. I thought this would be a great bonding trip. So for Christmas I told my grandpa that I would love to go on a camping trip with him up to Mackinac Island in Michigan. This would be the first time me and my grandpa would be going on a week-long vacation with just ourselves. What was funny is that everyone in the family warned me because my grandpa never stops talking and the music would be in his hands. The good thing about that is that I had lived with my grandparents the summer after I finished college so I was used to being around the constant conversations. Secondly, I am an old soul so I love 50s and 60s music. Therefore, I knew that this could be one of the best trips I might ever get to take with my grandfather. The trip began in July of 2021 as we left my hometown of Manteno, IL and traveled up to Michigan. We had a small popup camper that we were going to be sleeping in for this week's trip. There were so many favorite memories it is kind of hard to trim down. First off, traveling was so much fun, having deep conversations about my grandpa’s life and the different times that he had gone to Mackinac were so fascinating. My grandpa can talk to anyone so he is a very good storyteller. Another memory was setting up the camper because the second time we did set it up we forgot to stabilize the back so when I went to lay in bed the whole thing tipped over. The good part is that no one got hurt. On the second day when we arrived in Mackinac it was down pouring on us, thankfully my grandpa had ponchos ready to go. That night we started the tradition that would carry on for the night which was our card games. Every night we played either crazy eights or dirty spades. Those were some of the best times when we were just hanging out together. I cannot tell you how amazing those memories still are today. When we traveled to Mackinac Island on the third day it was amazing. Me and my grandpa walked all around the island taking in the nature, the history, and the culture on this small island. It lived up to the hype my grandpa had told me. After that day we traveled up to the Upper Peninsula with the UP-ers which was cool to see. That night we slept on the border of Canada, which we could see across the river in Sault Ste. Marie. We went on a couple water boat tours in the Great Lakes which were amazing. One of the last funny memories we had was that my grandpa finally let me drive on the second to last day. I am not kidding you when I say thirty minutes into driving one of the camper’s tires was gone. The best part was that neither of us noticed until a car passed us and pointed it out. This was such a funny memory because then we had to replace the tire and that is a story that me and my grandpa still joke about. Maybe my driving is bad but I don’t know, it could just be bad luck. The good thing about this entire trip was that the COVID restrictions were minimal. Since we were outside for the most part that was almost never an issue. A couple times when we went into restaurants we had to put our masks on, but it was nice because we were getting fresh air. Overall, the trip was a resounding success and one that I know holds a special place in my heart and my grandpa’s. I feel so fortunate to have had this experience with my grandpa and cannot wait for the next roadtrip we have together. -
2021-02-06
Camping during Covid
My husband and I went camping in February 2021 at the White Tanks Regional Park. -
2020-10-11
Visitor guide at Canyonland National Park
This object is an informational poster that provides information to visitors at canyonland, allowing them to choose hikes and plan their visit without having to interact with rangers. This information could be useful to future historians studying how outdoor recreation and the parks service were affected by Covid. Because so much was shut down, and because experts recommend being outdoors if you’re going to spend time with friends, outdoor recreation has been one of the sectors that have been positively affected by covid. Because of this, the way the national parks responded to covid is a significant part of 2020, even if it might not seem like it at first glance. -
2020-09-29
Bubble Holidays
Are you a thrill seeker? Are you bored of sitting at home all day? Don’t worry we have a safe way to fulfil all your desires. Bubble holiday- The safest way to travel during a pandemic. The Inme-Yoreka group makes it possible for people like you to travel to different camps located in the wilderness, covered by forests and equipped with adventure activities. 60 miles away from the holy city of Rishikesh exists India's most exciting holiday destination. Atali ganga resorts offer comfortable accommodation, beautiful views of the valley, and go river rafting, rock climbing, hiking, inflatable kayaking and camping. Following all COVID-19 safety guidelines strictly we make sure that your experience is safe. Check the website for more information. -
2020-08-11
Camping at Hole in the Wall
This photo shows how we can still go out and do things during this pandemic. It shows that even though we have this worldwide epidemic, we can still enjoy ourselves while being safe. This is important to me because I think it is important to enjoy nature and the little things like this. -
2020-08-30
COVID Camping
Our family loves the outdoors. Since the birth of our first child, we have made it a priority to camp at least once each summer. We all look forward to this tradition as a time of togetherness as we disconnect from our busy lives, if even for just a few days. This year, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, camping looks a bit different. But we decided to roll with it and continue our family tradition. Our first camping "trip" was in our backyard. And it was magical. We played and slept outside for 3 straight days. Our second camping "trip" was in our living room. Due the wildfires ravaging Northern California, we have been unable to even go outside for over a week. The kids were thrilled for this new camping experience. Despite the many challenges that 2020 continues to throw our way, the resiliency and positivity of my children remind me that everything will (eventually) be okay. And, yes, we did enjoy s'mores during our camping "trips." -
2020-04-14
Luke Burroughs's COVID-19 story
Throughout quarintine I went to scouts camp at Bartle Camp reservation. I also vistied Colorado with my family and went camping at truman lake. And last I played an older video game that I was wanting to play for a while. -
2020-05-16
California Coastline
March 13th was the day we were sent home from the office. Working remotely was not something I had experienced before. For the first month, I started re arranging my days. Instead of commuting for 4 hours a day I was working out in the mornings and reading more in the evenings. One day I dusted off my old film camera that I hadn't used in over 10 years. I purchased film and I started to take one photo a day. I would try to capture a photo that summed up that particular day. After two months of being on locked down I decided to drive from Orange County, CA to Big Sur. My cousin lives on 8 acres on the back side of Big Sur. I camped out on his property for a month, I ate off the land, cooked outside everyday and didn't get back into my car until the day of my departure. After a month, I decided to leave mid afternoon so I could catch the sunset on my six hour drive back home. I pulled off thirty miles past Post Ranch Inn and waited about eight minutes to click this shot in. The colors in the water, the length of the cliff and the dirt between my Red Wings and the ground made this the best photograph of the last six months. This pandemic has allowed me to slow down. To admire the little things in life and re introduce old hobbies into my life. My camera and I are one again, she comes every where with me. I will blow this photograph up one day, frame it and remind me of the times. It was fitting that I'd started reading On the Road: the Original Scroll by Jack Kerouac before my month long trip. I finished it in Big Sur. There are many great quotes by Jack in that book. However one reigns supreme..."Live, travel, adventure, bless, and don't be sorry."