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anonsally · 5 years ago

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Days 94-96 of COVID-19 shelter-in-place

Various shelter-in-place restrictions are being relaxed, and, unrelatedly, I have had some pretty good birdwatching lately.

Day 94 was Thursday. We had failed to buy milk the previous day (and I feel this was not my job after my medical procedure Wednesday morning), so I ended up having a smaller bowl of cereal than usual (followed by some of Wife’s millet porridge made with almond milk) and then going to buy some. There was no line to get in! That was very lucky! The store will be resuming its normal hours this week and staying open later than it has been lately, which is a relief--we won’t have as many incidents of realising too late that we don’t have what we need for breakfast the next day.

Then I “went” to work: we had a long meeting during which we did not come to an agreement about various strategies for analysis. The biostatistics grad student is convinced that the method two of us are advocating is based on an incorrect assumption, whereas I don’t see where we are making that assumption. I worked out some probability calculations with pencil and paper and wrote to the group about what I thought we were trying to do and why I didn’t think it made the erroneous assumption. I don’t know if that’s where she thought the assumption was coming in, though.

After work, I took a neighborhood walk with my binoculars and ended up getting some good birdwatching in. About halfway into the walk, I heard some rustling in the dry leaves on the ground. “Towhee?” I thought, and looked around for the source, expecting to see a brown California towhee. But it turned out to be a spotted towhee! Such a pretty bird, and I got a really good view of it in the binoculars. Since it’s a comparatively recent addition to my repertoire, I was excited about it.

After that, I saw some house finches at the tippy top of a thin cypress (?) tree, and also saw a bird through the binoculars that... well, I couldn’t identify it, and I suspect this description is wrong because I couldn’t find anything in my book that matched it, but @lies, if you have any ideas please let me know! It seemed to be a smallish bird with a solid (possibly orangey-) yellow front and a long, thin beak. It was perched near the top of a tree, and something I assume was a hummingbird seemed to be divebombing it?

I walked back toward home but stopped at the house with the bird-feeders out front. There was a Nuttall’s woodpecker at the suet feeder! That was exciting (it’s another one I learned recently, and I’ve never seen one at a feeder). It got chased away by a scrub jay but hung out in the tree for a while and I got to watch it some more. There were also more chestnut-backed chickadees, goldfinches, and house finches, as usual, as well as a Steller’s jay. So I felt like I’d seen all the high-quality birds!

In the evening I solved word puzzles with my dad on a video call.

Yesterday was Day 95. I got up at 8am, and was really tired, but I had arranged to take a walk with my high school friend who’s visiting (and came over on Wednesday). We had planned to meet at 10am, but in a series of texts we postponed it to 10:15 and then 10:30, and then I didn’t manage to arrive at the meeting place until 10:40, and when I checked my phone on arrival, I saw that she was at least 10 minutes behind me! But eventually she turned up and we had a lovely walk in a park Wife and I have not been hiking in (it is a bit more crowded and less sunny than most of the ones we have gone to), but it’s the one this friend and I had both visited with our families as kids. This was just a very short, easy walk, but we saw ducks, turtles, chestnut-backed chickadees, a cute little periwinkle blue butterfly, and an amazingly well-camouflaged moth. It looked just like a leaf, but I happened to see it flap into position. I think it was an omnivorous looper? but the stripe along the back is blueish, which I haven’t seen in the photos online. Anyway, I was pleased with myself for not being scared of it. We also heard a woodpecker, but I couldn’t locate it. After our walk, we sat and chatted for a long time, and saw a couple of enormous ravens, a wild turkey, a bird of prey with a longish tail, and a couple of Steller’s jays. It was great to spend so much time with my friend. We did not stay 6ft apart the whole time, but when we were closer, we had our masks on, and when we were seated and talking, we were further apart; plus, we were outside the whole time. So I think it is fairly low-risk.

Afterwards, I drove down to my office. I had an appointment at 1:30, but I arrived a few minutes early, so first I ordered tacos to pick up at 1:45, and then I folded down the back seat of the car. I went to the door and waited for the building manager to let me in. I was there to collect my desk chair, in hopes that it will make working at home less of an ergonomic disaster. I also found Girl Scout cookies and some chocolate in my desk, so I brought them home too! The chair did fit in the back of the car (phew), and I picked up my tacos and came home.

I worked all afternoon, though I took some breaks to read about Juneteenth, too. I had heard of it before as a Black American holiday, but I don’t think I had realised what it was specifically celebrating. And frankly, it’s outrageous that it isn’t a national holiday. The abolishment of slavery is something we should all be celebrating (as a first step toward liberty and justice for all, which we obviously have not yet achieved).

After work, I went to buy some ice cream and noticed that restaurants with space for outdoor dining have resumed seating people outside, with decent spacing between tables.

I watered the plants that had to be put into pots, several of which are looking pretty shocked from the transplanting. And Wife and I did some heroic Adulting in the kitchen. I stayed up late.

Today was the Summer Solstice and also Day 96! Widget lost his lunch, or rather barfed his breakfast. I’m hoping an opossum will eat the vomit tonight, because I don’t want to have to clean it up.

I wrote to my city councilmember again, this time to ask about the fireworks we have been hearing every night for a few weeks. Last night’s fireworks may have been for Juneteenth, though. Anyway, I ended up going to the farmers’ market by myself rather late (Wife had a headache), but I ran into @llamapunk there and got to spend some time chatting and catching up with her while doing my shopping. Alas, I was too late for peaches! But in compensation, I bought lots of strawberries and some rhubarb.

After I came home and ate, Wife and I set off to a park for a hike. This wasn’t as satisfying as most of the hikes we’ve taken--the trails were very confusing and poorly marked at many of the intersections, so we took wrong turns more than once. Also, they were both narrow and somewhat heavily trafficked in some sections, making it awkward to maintain much distance between ourselves and other hikers. Still, aspects of it were nice, and we got some good exercise--there was a very steep uphill section. However, the most exciting part of it was that we saw a family of wild turkeys, including several babies! So the hike was worth it just for that! I heard a woodpecker but couldn’t find it, but I got to point out some chestnut-backed chickadees to Wife, who was charmed by how cute they are. There was a variety of plant life, too, including a dead tree with some good fungi, a bay laurel with fragrant leaves, redwoods (with miner’s lettuce and redwood sorrel at their feet, but we were not supposed to stray from the trail to pick them), ferns, eucalypti, wildflowers, and the first ripe wild blackberries of the season. Being outside in nature and getting a little exercise seemed to relieve Wife’s headache, too.

I’ve solved a couple of cryptic crossword puzzles in the past couple days.

It looks like my county’s daily COVID-19 new confirmed case counts have been higher since late May than they were before that time, but that might be partly because of higher numbers of people getting tested. And the deaths seem to have peaked in April. Number of people in the ICU has remained fairly stable since mid-April, but the number of people in the hospital has roughly been increasing very slowly. Still, it doesn’t look like the protests have resulted in a pandemic upswing.

#personal #birdwatching #wildlife #tacos #food #even though there is no picture of food here #epidemiology

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gullivermcpherson · 5 years ago

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The Ice Box presents six unique flavors handcrafted just for Redwood Bay’s Festival.

Alcoholic (21+)

Blueberry Bourbon Cobbler

Lemon Vodka Meringue Pie

Wine-infused Chocolate Cheesecake

Non-Alcoholic (Kid-Friendly)

Vanilla Bean Pistachio Bread

Chocolate Confetti Birthday Cake

Honey Rhubarb Swirl

#{ inspiration: all }#{ inspiration: the ice box }

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writinggeisha · 6 years ago

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Colour Words

White: French beige, Navajo white, alabaster white, albino white, antique white, arctic white, argent white, ashen white, beige, birch, biscuit white, bisque, blanched almond, blanched white, bleached white, blonde, bone white, buff, camel, canvas beige, linen white, marshmallow white, milk white, mocassin, mother-of-pearl, mushroom, neutral white, nude, oatmeal white, off-white, old lace white, opal, paper white, pearl white, piano key white, polar white, porcelain, powder white, pure white, raw cotton white, coconut white, contrast white, cotton white, cream, diamond, dove white, ecru, eggshell white, flax, flour white, fog white, frosted white, ghost white, goose white, hemp, ivory white, lace white, latte, light tan, lily white, sandstone, seashell white, sheep white, sheet white, shell white, shining star white, silvery white, smoky beige, snow white, solid white, spotless white, sugar white, toothpaste white, vanilla, waxen white, wedding white, whey, white, white chocolate, white smoke Yellow: Chardonnay, French fry yellow, Titanium yellow, amber, banana yellow, bleached blond, blond, buff, bumblebee yellow, butter yellow, buttercup, butternut squash yellow, butterscotch, cadmium yellow, canary yellow, champagne, citrine, corn yellow, lemon peel, lemon sherbet, lemon yellow, linen, lion yellow, maize, marigold yellow, mellow yellow, metallic gold, mimosa yellow, mustard yellow, ochre, olive, omelette yellow, palamino, papaya, parakeet yellow, pencil yellow, cream, custard yellow, daffodil yellow, dandelion, duckling yellow, egg yolk yellow, electric yellow, flax, flesh tone, gold, gold yellow, golden bronze, golden yellow, goldenrod, highlighter yellow, honey yellow, lemon chiffon, lemon drop, pineapple yellow, popcorn yellow, raincoat yellow, saffron, school bus yellow, squash yellow, straw yellow, sunflower yellow, sunglow yellow, sunset yellow, sunshine yellow, taxi cab yellow, topaz, vanilla, wheat, yellow, yolk yellow

Orange: amber, apricot, basketball orange, blood orange, bourbon, burnt orange, butterfly orange, candlelight orange, candy corn, cantaloupe orange, carnelian, carotene, carrot orange, cheddar orange, cinnamon, mango, marigold orange, melon orange, neon orange, old gold, orange, orange juice, orange peel, orange sherbet, orange soda, orange-red, papaya, peach, persimmon, pumpkin orange, copper penny, coral, dark orange, dark salmon, dayglo orange, ember orange, fall leaves orange, flame orange, ginger orange, gold, golden orange, goldfish orange, ice pop orange, light orange, light salmon, rust orange, safety orange, saffron, salamander orange, starfish orange, sunrise orange, tabby, tangelo, tangerine, tawny, tiger orange, tiger stripe orange, traffic cone orange, yam orange

Red: Bordeaux red, Indian red, alizarin crimson, amaranth, apple red, auburn, autumn leaf red, barn red, beet red, blood red, blush, bougainvillea, bourbon, brick red, bright red, burgundy, burnt sienna, candy apple red, cardinal red, carmine, carnelian, cerise, cherry red, chestnut red, chili pepper red, magenta, magma red, maroon, orange-red, paprika, pepperoni red, persimmon red, pink red, pomegranate red, poppy red, rabbit eye red, radish red, rare steak red, raspberry red, red, red apple, red berry, red carpet, red licorice, red lipstick, red nose, red pepper, red potato, red rose, red velvet, claret, copper, coral red, crab red, cranberry red, crimson red, dark cerise, dark red, deep pink, devil red, faded rose, fire engine red, fire red, fire truck red, flame red, florid red, fruit punch red, garnet red, geranium red, henna, hibiscus red, hot pink, ketchup red, ladybug red, lipstick red, red wine vinegar, redwood, rosewood, rouge, ruby red, russet red, rust red, sangria red, scarlet, sports car red, stop light red, stop sign red, strawberry red, tawny port red, tawny red, terra cotta, tomato bisque, tomato red, torch red, vermillion, watermelon flesh, wine red, winter apple red

Pink: Pepto Bismal pink, Persian rose, amaranth, apricot, ash rose, baby cheeks pink, baby pink, bacon pink, ballerina pink, ballet pink, ballet slipper pink, begonia, blush pink, bougainvillea, bubblegum pink, cameo, carmine, carnation pink, cerise, cherry blossom, mulberry, neon pink, orchid, pale pink, pastel pink, peach, peach puff, peony pink, petunia pink, pig pink, pink, pink Cadillac, pink champagne, pink cheeks, pink diamond, pink grapefruit, pink lemonade, pink sherbet, polka dot pink, powder pink, conch pink, coral pink, cotton candy, cranberry, cupcake pink, dayglo pink, dusty rose, eraser pink, flamingo pink, flesh, flesh-colored, fuchsia, grapefruit pink, hibiscus pink, hot pink, jellyfish pink, lavender pink, light plum, lipstick pink, magenta, rose, rose petal, rose pink, rose quartz, rosy red, ruby, ruddy pink, sand pink, seashell pink, shocking pink, soft pink, strawberry jam, strawberry milkshake, sunset pink, tea rose, thistle pink, tongue pink, tulip pink, turnip pink, worm pink

Purple: Concord grape, amethyst, aubergine, beet purple, bilberry purple, blackberry, blackcurrant, blue violet, blueberry, brandywine, bruise purple, byzantium, cerise, claret, currant, dahlia, magenta, mauve, monster purple, mulberry, opal purple, orchid purple, pale plum, pansy purple, passionfruit purple, pastel purple, periwinkle, plum, prune, purple, purple cabbage, purple jam, dark raspberry, dark violet, eggplant purple, fandango, grape crush, grape jam purple, grape jelly purple, grape purple, heliotrope, hyacinth, inky purple, iris purple, juice purple, lavender, lavender blush, lilac purple, quartz, raisin purple, raspberry, rhubarb purple, royal purple, thistle, true purple, turnip purple, violet, violet red, wild berry purple, wild grape, wine, wisteria

Blue: Caribbean blue, Caribbean turquoise, Dodger blue, Pacific blue, Prussian blue, Tiffany blue, alice blue, aqua blue, aquamarine, azure blue, baby blue, blue belle, blue ice, blue jean blue, blue-green, blueberry, bluebird blue, bluebonnet blue, cadet blue, lapis lazuli, light blue, marine blue, marlin blue, midnight blue, navy blue, neon blue, nighttime blue, ocean blue, pale blue, pastel blue, peacock blue, police officer blue, pool blue, powder blue, ribbon blue, robin egg, royal blue, sapphire blue, cobalt, cornflower, cyan, dark blue, dark slate blue, deep sky blue, denim blue, dolphin blue, electric blue, frostbite blue, glacial blue, heather, iceberg blue, icy blue, imperial blue, indigo blue, inky blue, jay blue, lake blue, slate blue, snowflake blue, stained glass blue, steel blue, stone blue, summer sky blue, surf blue, swimming pool, teal blue, true blue, turquoise, ultra blue, ultramarine, verdigris, violet blue, washed denim blue, whale blue

Green: Granny Smith apple, Kelly green, Kermit green, Persian green, absinthe, algae green, alligator green, apple green, aqua, army green, artichoke green, asparagus green, avocado green, bay leaf green, bluegrass green, boxwood green, broccoli green, cabbage green, cactus green, caterpillar green, celery green, chartreuse, chive green, chlorophyll green, iceberg lettuce, iguana green, ivy green, jade green, jadestone, jungle green, kelp green, key lime green, leaf green, leprechaun green, lettuce green, lichen green, light cyan, lime green, lizard green, melon rind green, metallic mint, mint green, moss green, myrtle green, neon green, olive drab, olive green, parrot green, crocodile green, cucumber green, cyan, cypress, dark khaki green, dark olive green, dollar bill green, drab olive, eel green, emerald green, evergreen, fern green, forest green, frog green, grass green, grasshopper green, green, green apple, green olive, green pepper, green tea, green-yellow, holly, honeydew green, pea soup, pear green, pickle green, pine green, pistachio, sage green, sea green, seafoam green, seaweed green, shamrock green, spinach green, spring bud green, spring green, sprout green, spruce green, summer grass, swamp green, tea green, turtle green, verdant, verdigris, wasabi green, zucchini green

Brown: October brown, acorn brown, auburn, autumn leaf, barbecue sauce brown, bark brown, bay, bear brown, beetle brown, biscuit brown, branch brown, brick brown, bronze, brown, brown sugar, brunette, burnt sienna, burnt umber, butterscotch brow, cafe au lait, camel brown, cappuccino brown, caramel brown, cardboard brown, chestnut brown, kangaroo brown, khaki, leather, lion brown, liver brown, mahogany, maple brown, maple sugar brown, maroon, meatball brown, milk chocolate, mink, mocha brown, mud brown, nougat, nude, nut brown, nut brown ale, nutmeg, oak brown, pancake brown, peanut butter brown, potato brown, pretzel brown, raisin brown, cinnamon brown, cocoa, cocoa brown, coffee bean brown, coffee brown, coffee stain brown, copper, dark chocolate brown, dark citrine, deer brown, desert sand, dirt, doeskin, dun, earth brown, earth yellow, earthenware brown, fallow, fawn brown, football brown, fox brown, freckle brown, ginger brown, golden brown, hazel brown, rich earth, roan, root beer brown, rosewood, ruddy brown, russet brown, rust, saddle brown, sand, sandy brown, sea lion brown, semi-sweet chocolate, sepia, sienna, sorrel, steak brown, tan, tan brown, tan-nude, tawny, toast brown, tumbleweed, tweed brown, walnut brown, wheat,

Gray/Grey: argent silver, ash gray, battleship gray, cadet gray, charcoal gray, chrome, cloud gray, cloudy day gray, concrete gray, cool gray, cool grey, dim gray, dolphin gray, dove gray, overcast gray, owl gray, oyster gray, pewter, pigeon gray, platinum, rainy day gray, rhinoceros gray, river rock, salt and pepper gray, sardine gray, seal gray, shark gray, silver, elephant gray, fog gray, grandma gray, granite gray, gray, grey, gunmetal gray, haze gray, hippopotamus gray, iron gray, koala gray, metal gray, mist gray, moon gray, smoke gray, soot gray, steel gray, stone gray, storm gray, stormy sea gray, taupe gray, thunder cloud gray, warm gray, wed sidewalk gray, wool gray, zinc gray

Black: Mars black, black, black cat, black coffee, black licorice, black pearl, black pepper, black tar, blackboard black, blackout, blue-black, bow tie black, kettle black, kohl black, licorice black, mascara black, mica, midnight black, molasses black, night sky black, ninja black, obsidian, onyx, outer space black, caviar black, chalkboard black, charcoal black, coal black, ebony black, eclipse black, eyelash black, fig, gothic black, hearse black, ink black, jet black, piano key black, pitch black, pupil black, raven black, sable black, shadow black, smoky black, sooty black, spade black, spider black, tar black, tarmac black

https://www.words-to-use.com/words/colors-names/

#tools #links #colours #lists #word lists

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pointreyesjournal · 2 years ago

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The Perfect Ending to the Perfect Date : ep145

Nothing is more disorienting than falling asleep drunk during the day and waking up in the dark. I’m groggy and barely awake. Cheyenne is wide awake and freshly showered.

Cheyenne: Mornin’ sunshine.

Me: Is it morning or midnight?

Cheyenne: It’s dinner time. Go shower stinky … I’ve got a surprise for you.

I take a quick shower and when I’m done, Cheyenne’s dressed and ready to go. She’s wearing a soft gray cashmere sweater over denim Daisy Duke shorts that are so short that the crease between her bottom and legs is just showing. With her sockless sneakers on, it’s the first time I realize how long her legs are. Her wide hips and strong thighs taper elegantly down to her slender calves and bony ankles. I’m reminded once again how womanly she is compared to my past girlfriends, who were about as curvy as two-by-fours.

It’s thrilling, yet uncharted territory for me.

By the time I’m dressed she has an Uber waiting to whisk us away.

Hidden behind a high garden wall and tucked away from the main highway in St. Helena is Goose & Gander. Occupying The Martini House, a craftsman style bungalow built in 1923, Goose & Gander offers fine American “pub style” cuisine made from produce grown in their own garden in Napa Valley.

The atmosphere is cozy yet bustling. The decor features lacquered wood that is stylistically between gothic and mid-century modern. There’s garden dining, but tonight we’re inside tucked into a dark, cozy booth. Cheyenne is firm and unwavering in her demands for tonight’s date. First is that no wine or beer is to be consumed. Liquor only, preferably from their signature cocktail menu. And second is that dinner this evening is her treat. No exceptions.

Once again, I am flabbergasted, and as Henrik said on the Facetime call, you honor the giver by accepting the gift. I order the “Five Boroughs” cocktail which is Redwood Empire rye, amaro, Rockwell vermouth, Leopold's maraschino liqueur and mocha bitters. It’s essentially a fancy Manhattan. Cheyenne orders the same.

Very cool.

We decide to share a petite filet with a couple of starters and then indulge in Basque Cheesecake with strawberry-rhubarb compote and chantilly cream for dessert. Rather than coffee to accompany dessert, Cheyenne orders a tasting flight of top-shelf dark rum to share. It pairs perfectly with the cheesecake.

I have no idea how she was able to plan this date on such short notice, but all I can think as I’m watching the light from the faux LED votive candle flicker in her eyes is that this is the happiest I’ve ever been in my life. I’m prone to daydreaming and sometimes when people are talking to me, my mind wanders off. But in this moment, she has my undivided attention. I am completely present for Cheyenne. Her words are like honey.

The check arrives and Cheyenne scowls deeply at me when I reach into my pocket and pull out a $100 bill.

Cheyenne: Absolutely not! My treat.

Me: May I leave the tip?

Being a waitress herself, she knows how hard our server works and as much as she would like to pay for the entire meal herself, she finds my generous tip endearing and accepts.

Cheyenne calls for an Uber, but as we’re heading for the door I’m startled like a cat seeing a cucumber when, out of the corner of my eye, I see a slender, bald man waving at me from a booth across the restaurant. It’s The Good Doctor and Anastasia!

I try to keep my cool, but my heart pounds as I’m gripped in fear, terror, and surprise. Cheyenne senses my uneasiness as we approach the table, but has no idea why.

The Good Doctor: Well look who we have here.

Me: Cheyenne, this is my doctor.

Cheyenne: He’s the one who helped you after the attack?

Me: Yes.

Cheyenne extends her arm offering a handshake. The Good Doctor accepts.

Cheyenne: Thanks for reassembling my Lego boyfriend.

The Good Doctor: My pleasure! All of the pieces fit together just as they should. You sir, look like you’re in fine fettle.

Me: I’m all healed up Doc.

The Good Doctor: You remember my nurse, Anastasia?

Me: Of course. How could I forget?

Feigning obliviousness I offer Ana a handshake.

Me: Doc, do you take all of your staff out for swanky dinners?

The Good Doctor: Hahaha, no. Ana’s not just my best nurse, she’s also my wife.

Over the past winter they got married and hearing it from his mouth causes my heart to skip a beat. I don’t know how much longer I can go on acting like I have no idea who she is, so I steer the conversation politely toward conclusion.

Me: Well, you’re a lucky guy. I’m sorry to interrupt your date. We really must be going, our Uber is waiting. So nice to see you again.

The Good Doctor: Take care, and we’ll see you soon for a follow-up.

Me: Thanks Doc, you take care of yourself. You too Anastasia.

Ana is speechless.

I cannot extricate myself quickly enough from this awkward situation and make haste for the door with Cheyenne on my arm. She takes my hand to steady herself as we walk down the front porch steps.

Cheyenne: Good god man, your hand is cold and clammy! Why are you trembling?

I keep marching us swiftly toward the Uber as I urgently explain the situation.

Me: Shy, you remember how before I got beat up by those bikers I got dumped by a girl?

Cheyenne: Yes …

Me: I thought she was single, but it turned out she was engaged and wouldn’t leave him for me.

Cheyenne: Yes.

Me: Shy, that was her. She’s married to my doctor!

In an instant the entire situation comes into perfect focus for Cheyenne as she pieces together the puzzle of my bizarre love triangle. Realizing that The Good Doctor is the only one of the four of us who has no clue about what actually just transpired, she forces me into the Uber like a Secret Service agent shoving a president into a limousine, and points her finger right in my face.

Cheyenne: You stay right here!

Then she storms off back into the restaurant. The next ten seconds feel like an eternity as I try to collect myself. She quickly returns and piles into the back seat next to me.

Me: Jesus Christ Cheyenne, what did you just do?!

Cheyenne: I just told her “Thank you for breaking my boyfriend’s heart.”

#novel #first person narrative #napa valley #goose and gander #love

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rebelwheelssoapbox · 2 years ago

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Harold Had A Shit Day: A Fox Tale (inspired by the song “In The Woods Somewhere” by Andrew Hozier Byrne)

a short story by Michele Kaplan (@RebelwheelsNYC )

[image description: The background is a photo of a misty forest with tall trees of lush green and browns. There is a path in the middle. and a silhouette of a fox. the fox silhouette is filled with a photo from space, with. blues and purples with white stars. It gives the fox this cosmic feel. The text on top reads “Harold had a shit day. a fox tale inspired by the song ‘in the woods somewhere’ by andrew hozier byrne. “ Lastly, in the lower right hand corner is the text @ rebel wheels nyc] “Ah, human. I did not expect to see you so soon in these woods. You have come because of the lore of this forest, Did you bring the crudités as requested? What? No one told you? Then why did you come? Why are you here? Ah, I see. You are lost. That is a shame, as I could really go for some of those carrots sticks with the hummus, I do enjoy a good hummus and alas while this ancient forest holds many charms and delights, a good hummus is not one of them, but what can you do? What is the matter, human? Why so pale? Why, you're practically trembling. Ah, I see. You have you never seen a talking fox before? That it's impossible? Oh, that is a good one. Humans humans humans, such silly little mortals. Your kind thinks they know so much about the world, when it is your kind that knows the least. Sit down, and I shall tell you a story. Soon my kindred will be here and they will guide you out of the forest. Alas. I'm afraid such things are not yet my forte, While I am studying the topic, I have never actually... no, no I couldn't, it is best for us to wait. I do wish you had brought some crudités. I am rather famished. Oh no, don't worry, human. You are safe. Our kind stopped eating humans centuries ago. You'll be fine. Now, where were we? Ah yes, a story. Oh, for fox sake! Forgive me, for I have not introduced myself. I do apologize. A week ago I had a bit of an... accident. My leg as you can see is still healing. An unfortunate occurrence at the hands of your kind, but I suppose we can't hold that against you. And it has apparently made me rather... absent minded. My name is Sionnach Síoraí An Seachtú Réalt Díreach Ó Thuaidh Ón Tríú Cnoc is Fiche Áit a Rialaíonn Go Réidh An Bó Mór, Buaibheach Dhiaga na Réalt Thuaidh Cónaíonn. It translates to Eternal Fox Of The Seventh Star Directly North From the Twenty-Third Hill Where the Great Cow Goddess, The Divine Bovine of the Northern Fields Who Gently Rules Resides, but you can call me Harold. It was three days past the last waning moon of your October, when I was making my way through these woods, While directions may not exactly be my strength, I am quite adept at gathering berries and plants from the forest. They were needed for soon The Ancient Forest Collective would be celebrating The Great Feast where we praise and honor The Redwood Rebellion of Before Times.

Let me ask you a question, Have you ever had one of those days? A day where nothing catastrophic per se occurs, but a shit day nonetheless. A day where you probably would have been better off staying home, but alas such was not an option? The day did not start well. I woke up late, after a troubled nights sleep, completely forgot that I had to forage that morning for the upcoming feast, at a spot no less, that is five miles from my home, by foot. I spent 20 minutes frantically searching for my keys, just to find they were in my pocket, and to top it off, I tripped – twice while rushing to my foraging spot. There was no rock that I stumbled over. It was just one of those mornings.

So there I was, gathering rhubarb and mustard greens, my beloved loves mustard greens, when I heard this loud SNAP! And this pain... this sudden gnawing pain in my leg. I looked down and saw that I was caught in one your kind's hunting traps. For fox's sake! I said to myself. I mean, how it got there, I don't know. Yes, since stories about these woods have become popular, there has been a minor increase of your kind, but they bring crudités, not old traps from the before time. And so I called out an ancient cry for help. I sang 'Ó, a chairde iontacha an chomhchoiteann! Iad siúd a bhfuil baint agam le síoraí. tar go tapa le do thoil go bhfuil duine eile ag seacáis tar éis ceann de na seanghaistí seilge seo a fhágáil agus mo chos greamaithe! Cac, nimhneach seo. Beir leat mo mhála luibheanna le do thoil! Freisin Má tá aon mhaidí cairéad fágtha bheadh sé sin go deas freisin. A Dhia, is mian liom go raibh hummus againn. ” Which roughly translates to ‘Oh, great friends of the collective! Those with whom I am eternally connected. Please come quick! Another jackass has left one of these old hunting traps and my leg is stuck! Shit, this hurts. Please bring my bag of herbs! Also If there are any carrot sticks left over that would be nice too. God, I wish we had hummus.’ Anyway, while I awaited the arrival of the collective, all of a sudden, I heard this... rustling... this crisp crunching of the fallen leaves on the forest floor. Which of course, one hears all the time in these months, but what made it peculiar, what made it almost... echo in one's mind... as if the ancestors were telling me to focus on this sound, as if it was of some importance, as if it someone was running ... but with ... only two legs? Who... what could it be? Even The Great Bears Of The East, who will occasionally walk on their hind legs when imitating your kind. 'Look at me, I'm a human. La la la la lá.' Oh goddess, it gets me every time. I'm not doing it justice. Well, even they don't run like that. So you can imagine my surprise, when all of a sudden, I saw this human. I shrieked, so loud, it echoed throughout the forest. It's just... forgive me, but your kind is strange to look at. Your bodies appear as if they are balding from your fur, like you survived some horrific accident and lost it as a result. You are wearing clothes, so you can't tell, not really, but this person was not wearing much. It just seems wrong.

Anyway, sadly, this person – much like yourself - did not have any crudités. I mean what the fuck does a fox have to do to get a platter around here? With all the powers that we have, the fact that we can't use them to manifest a goddess damned plate of vegetables, with a decent bowl of hummus is a cruel joke. The Great Cow Goddess has a dark sense of humor, it is known. Blessed be.

I digress. Lack of crudités aside, I gazed into the eyes of this troubled soul. They were frenzied, fevered, and unwell to say the least. There was just something very... ominous about their energy. They weren't... bad per se... not at their root, but they weren't in a place to make good decisions either. Upon peering more deeply into their mind, it became clear that his state was ... oh, was far worse than it had initially appeared. He was hallucinating some awful things.

Funny story, one time I was hallucinating and I saw these adorable rainbow bunnies, with unicorn horns, doing the cha cha cha with chubby marshmallows while listening to The Dancing Bears. The Bears Of The East have this fantastic Grateful Dead cover band and one time they ... er well, I digress. The human's breath reeked that of one who had carelessly nibbled on the Copelandia that grows towards the west. His pupils, like two black moons. It was then that I realized that this human was going to kill me... or well... attempt to anyway. I mean, can you believe that? But a mercy killing he was calling it. I mean for fox's sake. Oh, forgive me for laughing, but the layers, like a trifle of absurdity. I mean, for fox's sake, I'm eternal. The sheer and outright pomposity, to assume that their help was even needed in the first place. Humans. Meanwhile, said poor soul was hallucinating this fierce snarling beast that was supposedly behind me. With breath steaming and putrid, and with teeth large, bloody and with a veracious hunger ... for death. A beast that could kill you quickly, but did it slowly because they enjoyed watching you suffer. So dramatic! Oh, forgive me, I don't mean to laugh, but there was no such beast. Great Goddess, you humans can not handle your Copelandia. We take it, we go dancing in the moonlight, and have a good time, Your kind takes it and all hell breaks loose. Anyway, I went even deeper into his mind, and realized he wasn't even seeing me... well, he saw me, but not me as is.. not me as I actually was. Yes, I was somewhat injured, but he was hallucinating a far worse situation. What was simultaneously troubling and yet fascinating, was that what he was seeing, was a projection... a manifestation if you will, of various parts of his psyche. Parts of him that he loathed ... parts of him that he feared. Of his own perceived weakness (me, injured), of his own perceived sin & evil (the murderous beast). It was curious for in that moment, he was pitying me, while I pitied him. I suppose in my favor, when he lunged at ,me, he didn’t even come close. He thought he was close, but alas he struck the hallucination, not actually me. Mind you, that was not by chance. If you think I'm going to peer into someone's mind and not alter things in the name of my ... well, not my survival, but certainly my immediate well being, well then my name is not Sionnach Síoraí An Seachtú Réalt Díreach Ó Thuaidh Ón Tríú Cnoc is Fiche Áit a Rialaíonn Go Réidh An Bó Mór, Buaibheach Dhiaga na Réalt Thuaidh Cónaíonn! And still with all these powers, I still can't manifest a single bowl of hummus... You know, I must say, you humans, have really lost your way... lost connection from your roots. There was a time when, me and you would not have been so different but well... that is another story, I suppose. Anyway, while I did manage to dodge this human's “merciful” wrath, I was still in the trap, which hurts more than one would think, Thankfully my kindred heard my call, and arrived once the human fled to chase after “the beast”, Ah, the poor soul. Meanwhile, not only did my lovely kindred free me from the trap, brought the herbs needed to in time heal me, but they brought me carrots sticks to snack on. Leftovers from the last gifted platter. It was very moving. I need a moment. Okay no, I’m fine. I’m fine, And speaking of which, they're supposed to be here by now. I don't know where they are and I do really need to get going... oh, but I can't very well just leave you here, can I. I mean I can, but that would be a bit of a dick move on my part. I mean, I have been studying directions and cosmic transportation, so I could give it a go? Ooh, it feels precarious, but ... eh, why not. At worst, you'll end up in a parallel universe, but you'll get home eventually. Hmm? Oh, nothing. I was saying how the universe loves you, as they love us all. Let's give it a shot, shall we? Carpe diem! Come now. Stand still. Now listen closely, I need you to click your feet three times and repeat after me: ‘Níl aon áit cosúil le baile. Níl aon áit cosúil le baile. Níl aon áit cosúil le baile.' Oh, Goddess I always wanted to do it. Sorry, sorry, I apologize. But thank you for repeating it after me That was fantastic. Sorry, that was from The Wizard Of Oz. You know, 'there's no place like home'. Alright, sorry. No, I'll be serious. Okay so, human, No, seriously this time. You have my word. You will hear a low humming that will vibrate through you, It will not harm you. Close your eyes and let it take you home... hopefully. Good luck!” And as the ancient humming began, as you travel back to where you came, the last words you hear echoing in these ancient forests, “Ooh, I think I did it. Yay! I mean... do not return to these woods, human... but if you do, next time at least bring a good hummus.” The End (Author’s Note: While I thoroughly appreciate Hozier’s musical and activist related existence, there’s always been this one song that I could never fully enjoy. Musically, ‘In The Woods Somewhere’ is lovely. I can also appreciate that the lyrics are, if what I read on the internet was accurate, was inspired by Dante’s Inferno. It’s just the fox. I get too emotionally attached to the fox. And so one night, while a bit under the weather, my brain started thinking about the song and thought “That fox had a really shitty day.” My brain proceeded to create a whole backstory, as my brain tends to do. And while at first, it seemed too silly to let it be more than just a random thought in my head, the week was a weird one, so I thought fuck it and made it into a short story. Because Hozier is from Ireland, I decided that when Harold speaks in another language, it should be Irish. But also because Ireland has this somewhat mystical connotations, I thought I’’d have a bit of fun with that, As an example, the ancient call of help to the collective, which when translated is really not mystical at all. But also this story is just written with my own sense of humor. That said, I am not the least bit fluent in Irish, so hopefully Google Translate has not done me wrong lol.

You can hear the song here and read the lyrics on this site. Viva La Harold & The Ancient Forest Collective . Let me know what you think in the comments below.)

#in the woods somewhere #hozier #andrew hozier byrne #short story #harold #the fox #collective #fan fiction #hozier stories #disabled writer #this amuses me #cosmic #3 pages #writer

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thumbprintcellars · 3 years ago

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🔵LAST CALL!!! 🔵 We only have only have eight 2018 Pinot Noir left! 👍🤩🍇 Email, message, or call us to place your order and lock in this silver medal wine! 👍 The Russian River Valley appellation delivers pinot noir grapes with a wide range of varietal characters. Shiloh Glen Vineyard is located 1000' above Russian River Valley and offers unique and complex Pinot Noir characteristics. This single vineyard expression boasts ripe strawberry, rhubarb, bright cherry and Redwood forest floor aromas and flavors. Nutmeg spice integrates with fruit notes and develops textures which announce this full-bodied style. 93 cases crafted - Vegan Sautéed Portobello mushrooms drizzled with dark cherry reduction sauce would make a seamless pairing. (at Downtown Healdsburg, Healdsburg) https://www.instagram.com/p/Cb0wsDcPt_b/?utm_medium=tumblr

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indianfitnesscare · 3 years ago

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Make Up For Ever Chic Brick, Sassy Rhubarb, Poised Redwood Rouge Artist Lipsticks Reviews & Swatches

Make Up For Ever Chic Brick (112) Rouge Artist Lipstick (2020) ($23.00 for 0.11 oz.) is a muted, light-medium brown with soft, warm undertones and a satin finish. The consistency felt lightweight, smooth, and thin with a velvety-cream feel that was comfortable to apply and to wear. It had rich color payoff that adhered evenly to my lips, though in the close-up photos there was a smidgen product…

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viralafeed · 3 years ago

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Make Up For Ever Chic Brick, Sassy Rhubarb, Poised Redwood Rouge Artist Lipsticks Reviews & Swatches

Chic Brick (112) Make Up For Ever Chic Brick (112) Rouge Artist Lipstick (2020) ($23.00 for 0.11 oz.) is a muted, light-medium brown with soft, warm undertones and a satin finish. The consistency felt lightweight, smooth, and thin with a velvety-cream feel that was comfortable to apply and to wear. It had rich color payoff that adhered evenly to my lips, though in the close-up photos there was a…

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sweetberryfresimias · 4 years ago

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📅 Love Day

part one.

#sims 4 #ts4 #berry sims #ts4 berry sweet #snowberry moonstone #rhubarb redwood #literarytwist #literary twist

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sfbgs · 4 years ago

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Monthly Free Day and it’s a sunny, crisp fall day—get out in the Garden! Last entry 4pm 🍂 Dawn redwood (Metasequoia glyptostroboides), flowering cherry (Prunus sp.), and Chilean rhubarb (Gunnera tinctoria) help create a soothing seasonal scene at the Wildfowl Pond 🔥 Redhot poker (Kniphofia uvaria), black bearded sugarbush (Protea lepidocarpodendron), and many more late blooming fall flowers can be found in the South Africa Garden ☁️🌳 Tree dahlia (Dahlia australis), Bomarea, and tree daisies (Montanoa spp.) interwoven with Pinus pseudostrobus var. oaxacana are some of many cloud forest collection highlights 🌿 #sfbotanicalgarden #freeday #fallfoliage #fallflowers (at San Francisco Botanical Garden) https://www.instagram.com/p/CHbI3Y2AOAb/?igshid=16egj5jcni3fq

#sfbotanicalgarden #freeday #fallfoliage #fallflowers

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easyfoodnetwork · 4 years ago

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If You Really Want to Visit a National Park, Skip the Big Ones

Paddleboarding in Minnesota’s Voyageurs National Park | Getty Images

America’s larger parks are attracting major crowds. Here’s where to avoid them

As summer creeps into full swing and cities across America do the dance of easing, and then reinstating, COVID-19 restrictions, people are clamoring to be someplace — anyplace — besides their own homes. While there is no form of travel that’s perfectly safe right now, there are certainly more responsible options than others for scratching the itch.

National parks, in all their wide-open space, are more befitting a socially distant vacation than, say, resort towns or theme parks. But even vast wilderness expanses have potential for riskier areas — visitor centers, for one, and popular trailheads near main parking areas. And then there are the mosh pit-like crowds at Yellowstone’s Old Faithful or the scenic drive at Zion National Park, which has been so popular since reopening that the park had to cap access at 6:30 a.m.

Now more than ever, then, this is the time to visit some of America’s lesser-known national parks. Steering clear of the millions of tourists at Yosemite, the Grand Canyon, and the Great Smoky Mountains, exploring new territory provides a sense of discovery, with the added benefit of having the trails mostly to yourself. The adventure doesn’t stop at park boundaries, either, as these less-famous parks are often surrounded by bucolic communities and smaller cities rich with their own charms, including destination-worthy restaurants, unexpected speakeasies, and a chicken-fried Texas saloon.

As enticing as all this sounds, it’s important that travelers tread carefully in and around all national parks, since these smaller gateway communities are not equipped to handle a potential outbreak brought in from visitors. It’s a double-edged sword for small businesses that rely on tourism dollars to survive, which is why it’s important to maintain the same caution on your road trip as you’ve maintained at home; just because you’re on vacation doesn’t mean you can put your face masks in storage. Wherever you are, social distancing and rigorous adherence to health mandates are of the utmost importance, in order to support these communities while keeping them safe.

So, with safety top of mind, here are some alternative parks to consider for your 2020 summer escape, and, of course, the best places to eat — to go, dine-in, or dine-out — nearby.

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The boardwalk at Congaree National Park

Congaree National Park, South Carolina

Judging by the fact that Congaree sees about 3 percent of the annual visitors of parks like Yellowstone and Rocky Mountain, it seems many people don’t even know this South Carolina park exists. Located in the middle of the state, the swamp-like terrain feels part Everglades and part Redwood, with the tallest trees east of the Mississippi and labyrinthine waterways ripe for paddling. The park’s most popular attractions, like the Boardwalk Trail, remain closed, but visitors are able to canoe or kayak on Cedar Creek, a narrow waterway that weaves through hardwood forest so tall and dense that it blocks out the sun, which is perhaps why hooting owls can be heard at all hours of the day. For easy hiking, out-of-the-way trails like the River Trail and Oakridge Trail are currently accessible. The park is within 20 miles of the state capital of Columbia, a small city with quality food and drink to be had.

Where to Eat: Before paddling through Congaree, it’s important to fuel up with a hearty breakfast, like tequila-spiked pancakes. Novelty breakfast is the bread and butter of the Black-owned 27 Pancakes food truck, which is operating on weekends only for the summer due to the pandemic. Chef-owner Joy Eggleston is a veritable Willy Wonka with pancake batter, offering classics (e.g., buttermilk, blueberry) alongside more whimsical and savory offerings, like a shrimp-and-grits pancake made with a grits batter, plump baby shrimp, and jalapenos, or the aforementioned tequila pancake, an almond-flour flapjack glazed with a blend of honey, maple syrup, and tequila reduction. Follow 27 Pancakes on social media to check its schedule.

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The Starlight Theatre saloon in Terlingua, outside Big Bend

Big Bend National Park, Texas

About four and a half hours southeast of the closest major airport, in El Paso, this sprawling west Texas park has plenty of room (nearly 1 million acres, in fact) to spread out and explore, from Chisos Mountains hikes and soothing hot springs to the Santa Elena Canyon, a vast chasm offering shaded respite along the meandering Rio Grande. Due to its sheer size, geographic diversity, and faraway locale, this is the perfect park to immerse yourself in for a week, with plenty of sights and activities to keep you busy and enthralled. The surrounding communities are rich with character but low on crowds, like the dusty ghost town of Terlingua, which is emerging as a tranquil artist’s enclave, and the peaceful riverside town of Lajitas, where a goat serves as mayor.

Where to Eat and Drink: The star attraction in Terlingua is the Starlight Theatre, a lively contrast to a town filled with graves and derelict homes, both belonging to miners who succumbed to mercury poisoning or mining accidents in the early 1900s. The spacious saloon, known for its thoughtful riffs on gamey West Texas flavors, like chicken-fried wild boar strips with beer gravy and tequila-marinated quail in blueberry-balsamic sauce, is operating with dine-in and bar service at 50 percent capacity, and has added takeout as well as periodic live music performances.

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The famous cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde national park

Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado

In lush southwest Colorado, Mesa Verde National Park is once again beckoning visitors itching to hike, drive along the Mesa Top Loop Road, and marvel at the park’s famed cliff dwellings, elaborate structures and communities built centuries ago by Puebloan peoples. At just over 50,000 acres, the park is the perfect weekend getaway, renowned for its mesa-skimming scenic drives and hiking trails that make you feel like you’re traipsing through the clouds, surrounded by panoramic views of the Colorado valley. The arty gateway town of Mancos is small, but surprisingly abundant with galleries, cafes, and restaurants, which have navigated new methods of operation.

Where to Eat: Absolute Bakery & Cafe is a beloved community hub for locals and tourists alike, who pregame before Mesa Verde with avocado omelets, chicken Florentine, Cubano sandwiches, and house-baked pastries like cherry strudel, pumpkin brownies, and coconut-walnut blondies. Since COVID-19, the cafe has extended its service to seven days a week (up from six) in order to serve breakfast and lunch to go, along with take-and-bake meals like pot pie, quiche, and lasagna perfect for cooking up in the RV. It’s also started nightly pizza dinners for takeout, made with sourdough crusts and rotating toppings like asparagus pesto, Hawaiian, and pepperoni. The cafe strongly encourages guests to wear masks, and it’s stocked with hand sanitizer stations.

Matt Kirouac

Kerouac’s restaurant in Great Basin National Park

Great Basin National Park, Nevada

Located along U.S. Route 50, a highway so desolate that its nickname is “The Loneliest Road in America,” and next to the tiny town of Baker, Great Basin National Park is the ultimate park for social distancing. Aside from the people you travel with, it’s unlikely you’ll encounter other humans here at all. This Great Basin region of eastern Nevada, sandwiched between the Sierra Nevadas and Wasatch Mountains, is a place of extremes — from the skyscraping tip of Wheeler Peak, the highest point in the park (and second highest in Nevada) at 13,065 feet, to the craggy passageways within Lehman Caves and the gnarly looking bristlecone pines, the oldest trees on Earth, some nearing 5,000 years of age. Best of all? With under 200,000 annual visitors and 77,000 acres worth of diverse terrain, you’ll find plenty of solitude among the epic environs.

Where to Eat: An homage to the ultimate road-tripper, Kerouac’s Restaurant is a seasonal restaurant open May through October at the Stargazer Inn in Baker. Due to COVID-19, the restaurant is only offering counter service this year, with food and drink available to go or for dining on the homespun front patio. The menu reads like a hit list of American comfort classics, sure to satisfy after a long drive or a long hike. Think pesto-mushroom pizzas, spicy chicken sandwiches, veggie burgers, oatmeal cranberry cookies, and even strawberry-rhubarb Moscow mules.

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Grassy rolling hills in Wild Cave National Park

Hotel Alex Johnson / Facebook

The rooftop deck at Vertex Sky Bar in Rapid City

Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota

Western South Dakota is well known for iconic parks and monuments, like Badlands National Park and Mount Rushmore, but for those looking to eschew crowds, Wind Cave is a good choice for a day trip. Though the cave itself — a dense maze of jagged calcite formations, like needle-looking frostwork, and boxwork, a rare grid-shaped feature found in almost no other cave on Earth — is currently closed down, the park has many miles (and some 30,000 acres) of peaceful prairie hikes, rolling hills, and meadows strewn with wildflowers so vibrant they look like fields of confetti. Keep your eyes peeled for a chance to spot bison, prairie dogs, elk, and the rare black-footed ferret.

Where to Eat: As the urban hub of western South Dakota, Rapid City’s got an impressive food scene despite its small size and population. An hour’s drive from Wind Cave, head to the bi-level Vertex Sky Bar atop the historic Hotel Alex Johnson to drink in the Black Hills views while drinking in the rosé, or dine at Kōl, which reopened for reservations-only dine-in service with tables spread six feet apart, for wood-fired pizzas, steaks, and roast chicken. In the morning, downtown’s Harriet & Oak cafe reduced seating and limited the amount of time customers can linger to two hours, which is still enough to enjoy a trendy latte and some oh-so-Instagrammable avocado toast. Curbside pickup and online ordering is also available.

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Lost Lake campsite at Voyageurs National Park

Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota

On the northern border of Minnesota lies Voyageurs National Park, a tranquil landscape of lakes and islands, where loons replace the din of city sirens. Up here, in the heart of the Land of 10,000 Lakes, it’s easy to maintain social distance for a few days, considering a third of the 250,000-acre park is, well, water, and most activities involve kayaks, canoes, and fishing.

Where to Eat: It doesn’t get more quintessential Minnesota Northwoods than the Rocky Ledge, a cabin-like restaurant on the tree-lined shores of Kabetogama Lake, with a penchant for Minnesota specialties like wild rice casserole. And in case you weren’t able to reel in your own catch on the lake, fear not: the restaurant offers fry-bread fish tacos and breaded walleye sandwiches to make up for it.

Matt Kirouac

The tap lineup at Superior Bathhouse

Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas

For travelers who prefer a more relaxed experience over, say, a backcountry trek, Arkansas’s historic Hot Springs is a tiny city park that’s ideal for an afternoon stopover. Anchored by ornate bathhouses utilizing the region’s famed thermal waters, the town is nicknamed “The American Spa,” and it’s been enticing visitors for more than a century. Bathhouse Row is the heart of the park, lined with steaming water fountains and palace-sized buildings with intricate Gilded Age architecture. While you may not be able to take a traditional bath quite yet, visitors can hike up the gentle slopes of Hot Springs Mountain, whose summit affords vista views of the bright-green Ouachita Mountain range, and then imbibe that spring water at the rare brewery located within a national park.

Where to Eat: Superior Bathhouse, located in one of the former bathhouses along Main Street’s Bathhouse Row, has reopened for limited counter service. Visitors are required to wear masks, unless they’re eating (beer cheese dip and sweet potato-beet sandwiches are excellent choices), or drinking one of the beers brewed on-site — e.g., hazy blood-orange I.P.A., honey-basil kolsch, oatmeal stout — made with Hot Springs’ thermal waters. To connect with the Southern soul of Hot Springs, head to Emma Lee’s, a warm and welcoming dining room wafting with aromas of buttery peach cobbler, beef roast, and fresh cornbread. The family-run restaurant is the dream of owner Courtney Sanders, who pays homage to his grandmother Emma Lee with her most beloved recipes. The restaurant is still offering curbside pickup along with limited dine-in service on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. No matter what’s on deck for the day, be it thick slabs of smoky brisket and candied yams or mac and cheese served bubbling-hot under a golden-brown crust, this is the kind of restaurant that’s sure to warm hearts during a time when it’s needed most. Masks are required for entry, but customers can remove them while seated.

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The rugged badlands of Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota

Badlands, petrified wood, roving bison, and wild horses make it clear what endeared President Theodore Roosevelt to this tranquil part of the country, where you’re more likely to encounter chirping prairie dogs on your hike than people. Split into two main north and south districts, each worth visiting for a day or two, the 70,000-acre park feels like the quintessential Wild West, with the Little Missouri River zig-zagging through fields of verdant grassland and eroded sandstone formations that look like super-sized sandcastles. Medora is the tiny home of the park’s popular south unit, but nearby Dickinson is a small city with an array of independent options.

Where to Eat: There’s really no better way to kickstart your day than with a blackberry pancake latte and a sticky caramel roll, and the Brew, a former church-turned-coffee shop, delivers on both fronts. Later, unwind with a sweet and spicy jalapeno honey beer and a Badlands pizza, made with pepperoni, Italian sausage, and ricotta, at Phat Fish Brewing. The brewpub is open for dine-in seating, with spaced-out indoor tables and a sprawling patio with a grassy lawn. It’s also offering take-and-bake pizza kits and bottled beers to go.

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An overlook at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado

With its blissfully warm temperatures, lush forests, and wildly diverse terrain, Colorado is popular for outdoorsy recreation, but rather than queueing up at crowded Rocky Mountain National Park, try the lesser-known Black Canyon of the Gunnison. The state’s least visited national park, Black Canyon is open for hiking along both the north and south rims, with trails that’ll get you unnervingly close to the breathtaking canyon and the raging river far below. Both sides of the canyon are worth visiting, so be sure to carve out at least two or three days to thoroughly explore. Since the only way to the north rim is driving all the way around the southern end of the canyon, it requires some added travel time. For fearless hikers, the park also has a few steep trails down to the canyon floor, which is a nice way to get out of the sun, since the canyon is so tall and narrow that it’s almost constantly shrouded in its own shadow. Nearby, the town of Montrose is the entry point to the park’s southern rim, which has the most trails and scenic viewpoints.

Where to Eat: It’s not often a speakeasy offering craft cocktails and charcuterie platters can be found on the outskirts of a national park, which is what makes Phelanies a special find. Accessed down an alley off one of Montrose’s main streets, the spacious lounge has gone alfresco for the first time, adding a patio and expanding its menus to include more food (like Korean barbecue pulled pork and duck wontons) and seasonal cocktails, like honeydew margaritas and the timely COVID Reviver No. 19, a Corpse Reviver riff with gin, orange liqueur, Lillet Blanc, lemon, and a CBD tincture. Guests are asked to wear masks any time they’re not seated, and limit movement around the bar except for necessities like bathroom runs.

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The Brandywine Falls Trail at Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio

Sandwiched between the nearby cities of Cleveland and Akron, hugging the crooked Cuyahoga River for some 30,000 acres, Cuyahoga Valley provides a literal breath of fresh air for Ohio city-dwellers seeking to escape the traffic for the day and replace it with dense green forests, babbling creeks, and 70-plus waterfalls. While popular sites like the Brandywine Falls boardwalk remain closed, there are still opportunities for hiking along miles of woodland trails, horseback riding, fishing, and kayaking.

Where to Eat: The park is a convenient day trip from larger cities in Ohio, making it ideal for safe travel, since visitors are able to minimize their footprint without having to stay overnight. If you’re traveling from Cleveland, start your day with a fried ring of purple-hued blueberry cake, bursting with juicy, tangy flavor, from the Vegan Doughnut Company. Located in suburban Lakewood, the Black-owned bakery from sisters Kharisma and Kyra Mayo exhibits a penchant for vibrant, whimsical pastries, like a birthday-cake doughnut strewn with multicolored sprinkles and crushed Golden Oreos, or a vanilla-glazed variety decorated with chocolate chips and dollops of cookie dough. For now, the shop is open weekends only for to-go doughnuts. Later, after you’ve chased a few waterfalls in the park, wood-fired pepperoni and banana-pepper pizza is an apt pick-me-up, and you can get your fix at Sarah’s Vineyard and Winery. Housed in a timber-clad barn that doubles as an art gallery, the lofty restaurant and tasting room has reopened for dine-in, spread out its ample patio seating, added hand sanitizer stations by the entrance, and shifted its menu to heartier crowd-pleasers like pulled pork sandwiches, nachos, and pizza. Sit outside for sweeping vineyard views and pair your spicy pie with a carafe of sweet Ohio-grown Vidal.

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Rattlesnake Canyon at Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico

The world-famous caverns — brimming with stalagmites, stalactites, and a colony of Brazilian free-tailed bats so populous that they look like clouds of swirling black smoke on their nightly flights — are still closed to visitors, but the underrated hiking trails on the surface are well worth the excursion, especially for a morning or late-afternoon hike (the sun gets pretty scorching midday). With nearly 50 miles of trails through the peaceful Chihuahuan Desert, from Rattlesnake Canyon to Guadalupe Ridge, there’s plenty to explore, and plenty of opportunity to break away from crowds and convene with cacti and roadrunners.

Where to Eat: In the nearby town of Carlsbad, Guadalupe Mountain Brewing Company reopened for dine-in service, with restricted hours and a patio. House-brewed beers run the gamut from a puckering grapefruit gose to creamy coconut porters, while the thin and crispy brick-oven pizzas are so popular they sell out regularly. They also offer gluten-free crusts, cauliflower-crust pizzas, and periodic specials like berry-studded dessert pizzas and New Mexican green chile pies.

A full-time RV traveler and freelance travel writer, Matt Kirouac is the co-founder and co-host of Hello Ranger, a national parks community blog, podcast, and forthcoming app.

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Paddleboarding in Minnesota’s Voyageurs National Park | Getty Images

America’s larger parks are attracting major crowds. Here’s where to avoid them

So, with safety top of mind, here are some alternative parks to consider for your 2020 summer escape, and, of course, the best places to eat — to go, dine-in, or dine-out — nearby.

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The boardwalk at Congaree National Park

Congaree National Park, South Carolina

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The Starlight Theatre saloon in Terlingua, outside Big Bend

Big Bend National Park, Texas

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The famous cliff dwellings in Mesa Verde national park

Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado

Matt Kirouac

Kerouac’s restaurant in Great Basin National Park

Great Basin National Park, Nevada

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Grassy rolling hills in Wild Cave National Park

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The rooftop deck at Vertex Sky Bar in Rapid City

Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota

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Lost Lake campsite at Voyageurs National Park

Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota

Matt Kirouac

The tap lineup at Superior Bathhouse

Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas

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The rugged badlands of Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota

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An overlook at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado

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The Brandywine Falls Trail at Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio

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Rattlesnake Canyon at Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico

A full-time RV traveler and freelance travel writer, Matt Kirouac is the co-founder and co-host of Hello Ranger, a national parks community blog, podcast, and forthcoming app.

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