Huntington Beach, California
Activity: Day Hike While Practicing Social Distancing
Date: March 31, 2021
CORONA VIRUS TAKE A HIKE
Bolsa Chica Wetlands is one of the closest hikes to where I live. It is an easy hike and the Ecological Reserve is starting to bloom during the first few days of Spring. But this Spring is unlike any other- people are gripped in fear, filled with the anxiety of not knowing what lies ahead. Headlines are full of bad news- sickness and death and the numbers keep mounting. Workers and students are cooped up at home on command to shelter in place by order of the Governor. But if we practice Social Distancing we are allowed to go out locally and hike specifically.
Hiking and walking are so good for you both physically as well as mentally, and since everyone is under a great deal of stress at this time it is even more important to get out breath some fresh air, stretch the legs, and enjoy nature. We need to stay fit, and it is imperative that we strengthen our immune system. It might be more difficult at this moment in time because all of the gyms are closed. All of the schools are shuttered-so no PE, all of the sports are shut down- so no training, no games, no release. I preach and practice ‘Social Distancing’ and we can all say, “Corona Virus Take a Hike”.
Here is how we were attempting to practice Social Distancing. I hiked with my friend Adam. We both drove separately, we stayed 6 feet apart-which really made close dancing difficult, we stepped off the trail to let other go by, and we had fun with it. There were a good amount of people out hiking, but not so many that Social Distancing couldn’t be practiced effectively.
Some people had masks on. Which has inspired me to have a ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’ Face Gator made available to lovers of PBTA so we may continue to hike, love nature and while staying as safe as possible in this time of virus and peril.
There were people of all age groups, Mom’s with their kids giving them a break (and I am sure the Mom as well), retirees, couples, solo hikers, people with dogs, newly released prisoners, and families. We spoke to people, whom were all pretty chatty about their personal experience in this New Norm through which we are all going.
A newly laid off man, bartender by trade, was kind enough to take us along with a fit young woman, exploring parts of the Preserve and informing us of the history. This whole area was once an Native American Village and he spoke about artifacts and an archaeological dig he had seen while a boy. He reviewed with us different plants and explained how Native Americans utilized them.
During WWII this area was a massive bunker we saw old gun mounts and he showed us entrances into the series of bunkers that are below ground. He pushed back brush, revealing an air vent to the chamber and explained as a kid he had explored deep into the underground compound. It was pretty fascinating indeed-until a lot of bees came buzzing out of the vent which caused Adam to scream like a little girl as he escaped, plowing into me like a New England Patriots Running Back slicing thru the Defensive Line of the Buffalo Bills, thereby dashing my strict quarantine policy and most probably infecting me w/a disease that will strike my precious, creative, life from this unfair, cold, dark world. If I am soon worm food, feel free to turn Adam into mulch.
We were all enjoying the beautiful California day of this open space, with the blue Pacific Ocean and Catalina Island in view, the birds, the bees, and the blooms…practicing Social Distancing at Bolsa Chica Wetlands.
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Thanks for joining Adam and I as we practice Social Distancing at our most local hike during the time of Corona Virus while ‘Pursuing Balance Through Adventure’. More and more national and state parks are being closed because people are not utilizing Social Distancing. I am having PBTA Masks made to keep myself and other safer during this scary time. Don’t forget to COMMENT, LIKE, FOLLOW, and SHARE. Even if we are being curtailed from the National and State Parks we can free our souls through projecting ourselves to these places by reading about them and planning for our next adventure.
Happy Trails,
Roger Jenkins, Pursuing Balance Through Adventure
Orange County Hiking 