A Silver Lining in the Darkest Cloud of this Century?
Sunset on Great Salt Lake’s Antelope Island. Photo courtesy Utah Office of Tourism.
In my seven decades, I have never seen anything like Covid 19. I missed WWI and WWII, so I don’t have that perspective, but the global impact of this is unprecedented in my lifetime. It hits painfully close to home too. My daughter, who lives with a chronic disease and compromised immune system, is afraid to leave the house. Her daughter cannot attend high school and her ski racing and mountain bike competitions have been cancelled.
The death count is growing, and the medical community is pushed to the brink. The economy is on the verge of collapse. And yet…there is a silver lining. There always is if you look closely. In this case, all you must do is look around wherever you happen to be.
A lot of happy dogs are out walking their humans.
Sharing the canine connection in the Uinta Mountains. Photo courtesy Utah Office of Tourism.
First, you’ll notice a lot of happy, healthy dogs out walking with their humans who are also getting healthier and happier with each step. I see them on my bike rides. I can tell you the dogs look happy; tails wagging and smiles big as they pant with tongues out.
You’ll also see a lot more people just out walking, many with a friend or two. I’ve seen entire families out walking, pushing strollers, wearing baby backpacks, carrying infants, or pulling them in wagons. I recently saw what looked like an entire neighborhood of parents, toddlers, tweens, and teens all in a block-long sidewalk parade. Social distancing, as in 6 feet between? Some yes and others no.
Cycling is booming.
Cruising across The Quad on the USU Campus. Photo by Scott Markewitz
Cycling? It’s booming, both on paved roads and mountain trails. Including recumbent trikes like mine. Bike shops are cranking. Last week, Target’s bike wall was stripped bare. No wheels to be found. Salt Lake City’s Bicycle Collective couldn’t keep up with demand.
There are a lot more people on the road, from the spandex clad regulars I see on my rides to the newbies who forgot their helmets. Please wear helmets, people.
Popular mountain bike trails like Bonneville Shoreline near Hogle Zoo and Corner Canyon in Draper are busy. I take my granddaughter and her riding pals to both venues regularly and weekdays look like weekends. With school not in session, the students are out in force.
Wasatch Front Trailheads are packed.
Hiking the Living Room near the Bonneville Shoreline trail. Photo courtesy Utah Office of Tourism.
Trailheads along the Wasatch Front are packed. Mt. Olympus and Bells Canyon trailheads look like parking lots, with cars parked bumper to bumper alongside the road.
Last Sunday, Liberty Park in downtown Salt Lake City looked like July 4th. I swear every parking place was taken. Picnicking, volleyball, cycling, inline skating, running—pick an activity and go.
One thing about all of the above. Big smiles were abundant. Everyone was enjoying the moment.
Another phenomenon is that families are rediscovering each other, in some cases whether they want to or not. For the most part it’s a great thing, although I’m sure there’s some tension along the way.
Let's make our new world a better place to live.
Salt Lake City’s magnificent Wasatch Mountain backdrop. Photo courtesy Utah Office of Tourism.
It’s all good that we’re rediscovering the benefits of going outside to play. It’s wonderful that families are spending more time together. But it doesn’t lessen the pain, suffering and death that Covid 19 is spreading across the globe.
Maybe we can take what we’re learning and make some positive changes going forward: go outside more often. Be active. Be a family. Care for each other. Simplify.
We know our world will never be the same. But maybe we can make the new one just a little better.