Appreciating Family

We get to see my parents on a very regular basis up here. They live in Middlebury, about a 3 hour drive from the lake, and they love to drive.

Not that driving in Vermont is a hardship, honestly. There are no billboards allowed, the roads are small and scenic, and almost at every turn there’s a view glorious enough to make you want to stop and take a photo.

Oh. I suppose if you just want to get from here to there as fast as possible, then yes, driving In Vermont is a hardship. EVERYTHING involves back roads, many of them unexpectedly not paved.

As these words flow onto the screen, it occurs to me that this is part of what makes me think living in Vermont and going cruising are so aligned. And homey. And comfortable. If you just want to get from here to there as fast as possible, then cruising on a sailboat is a horrific idea. There is nothing remotely efficient about it. Want to get somewhere fast? Take a freaking plane.

On our family zoom call the other day, I realized how lucky we are. Vermont has done a great job with virus response, and while my parents’ community, Eastview, initially had very strict lockdown measures in place, the very low rate of infection state-wide has had them cautiously opening up again. Mom and Dad can socialize responsibly, travel and have visitors. That we are in the state of Vermont makes some visiting possible.

Snapping a photo. Where’s the lens again?

We’re soaking up these moments. When we head to Virginia, this easy visiting ends. So it’s another way Vermont is NOT like cruising - this easy access to family is definitely not like it will be once we’re on the boat.

This pandemic has made us appreciate family and being able to see (and hug) each other more than ever. I hope you and yours are staying safe.