I, like many of you smart people out there, have been staying indoors and away from crowds for over 4 months now. Here in NYC the Covid Curve has flattened and more and more people are venturing outside. This is good. You should be going out and getting fresh air and sunlight (vitamin D is needed now more than ever). All we ask is that you wear a bloody mask. They work. Notice there was no uptick in cases with the protests. Aaahhh the protests. Well, just when you thought 2020 could not get any shittier, cops murder a black man on camera (again) and it takes over a week to get them arrested. The protests are necessary. The masks are necessary. Don’t let anyone tell you differently and don’t be afraid to shame loved ones who STILL think this whole thing is a hoax.

I foolishly thought the curve flattening would be a nationwide effort and we would all be able to have some sense of normalcy by now, but alas. This pandemic is not going anywhere, anytime soon thanks to certain states who took too lightly what was happening in the North East. We have more cases now than we did when this whole thing started, and many world leaders are now realizing that we might be the shithole because of a lack of cohesiveness among our governors. Now, I have no intention of stepping foot on a plane right now, but I cannot stay in the house until 2022(?) So, I have taken to little trips not far from NYC, just to get out of the city and enjoy nature and keep what little sanity I have left. It does wonders.

Enjoy the scenery at Teatown Lake Reservation

Just half an hour from the city, this 1000 acre nature reserve has four lakes and 9 hiking trails. All-day parking is $5 and you need a mask.

Hike up the New Croton Dam

A little less than 40 minutes from the Bronx is a park with picnic tables with a big ass dam next to it. You can chill in the park and take pics in front of the dam, or you could challenge yourself and hike to the top. The view is worth it. Parking without a pass is $10. With a pass, it’s $5. Don’t forget your mask.

Take a tour with Rail Explorers

We had so much fun traveling along the Esopus Creek in the Catskills. It was so peaceful pedaling on the rails, under the trees with the mountains in the distance. There are two types of rides: the tandem for two people ($85) and the quad that can sit up to four people ($150). It’s a great way to spend fun times with your family or friends. Afterwards we had pizza at Brio’s. Well, he had pizza. I had a delicious salad and my first margarita since this whole shit show started, which I was enjoying until a pigeon tried to take a crap on me. I kid you not, it was premeditated. An older gentleman said he saw the whole thing and would testify if need be.

I have no clue where we are going next, but I know it’s soon because working from home is frigging stressful (I assure you I am grateful for still being employed) and I need to get back to nature.