Pedaling around Peoria during a pandemic, December 2020
"May you live in interesting times" has always been a curse, and this past year has certainly been interesting. It's December 8th, 2020, and I'm pedaling around Peoria, a suburb of Phoenix, Arizona.
I've always had a fascination with first-hand accounts, so I'm writing this with all of this fresh in my mind. I just want to show you what I'm looking at. So I'll begin with what an amazingly beautiful day it is - blue skies, warm sun, that sort of thing. OK, enough "Chamber of Commerce weather" talk!
I own a three-wheeled recumbent, and for the past three years I've been rolling out every morning, mostly to enjoy the fresh air, and partly to work on my fitness. I have never had much interest in treadmills, and stationary bikes - I like to look at stuff. In the summer I'm out at dawn, trying to catch what cool there is in the day, but in December it's nice all day long, so I can noodle out a little bit later, like at 9 or 10. I'm usually back home, with my wiener dogs, no later than 11 am. So it isn't as if I'm seeing much out there, but like I say, I'll tell you what I'm seeing.
When I'm out, it looks to me as if everyone is complying with wearing a mask and social distancing. Whether they're doing it just to follow a rule, or they genuinely understand what's going on, I have no idea, nor does it matter to me. I'm very much aware that there are people who do things simply because there's some kind of rule, and someone out there who might punish them - I used to be a teacher, after all. Of course the people who understood conceptually didn't need a bunch of rules, but they tend to be rare. I'm hoping that's you.
Typically I stop at the McDonalds, which is only a few blocks from me, to get a to-go coffee. Their seating area has been closed since the beginning of the pandemic, but you can still go inside to pick up stuff. This is good for someone like me who really has no business in a drive-through lane! There are rarely any customers inside of the building, but when I see them I do a nice big loop through the space and social distance the six feet. I never really liked squeezing past people, and this sort of thing comes naturally to me.
I live on the western edge of Glendale, so in the mornings I always go west (with the sun behind me). And since the sun tends to be in the south, I prefer to travel north, especially in the winter. It isn't something that you really notice in a car, but you do outside of one. It's miserable to pedal into the sun! And this takes me into Peoria, where I can stop for rest stops at the parks, or at the Jack in the Box. I look for easy-in, easy out, so I avoid places like grocery stores. Speaking of which, I use the parking lot grocery pickup service at the Walmart in Peoria. It works great - zero touch, and you don't have to go into the store at all. It takes some basic computer skills, which I have, and which have come in very handy nowadays. By the way, when I do have to go into a building, I can use my phone to pay, completely touchless. Again, it's a good skill that I'm glad I acquired.
There's really nothing more for me to add, except that you should keep yourself safe, and keep your distance as much as possible. There are a lot of angry and confused people, especially in Arizona, and you don't want to confront them any more than you should confront a javelina. Walk away, and be safe.
And really, my heart goes out to those people who may have been trapped in a space that confined their body, and made their minds play tricks on them. I myself have been in that space, and have only recently been released from it. And I'm very appreciative of the people who helped me, and it's my greatest wish that I can help others, in what I call "linear kindness". If you're within the sound of my voice, you can reach out your hand, and be assured that I will take it.
And oh yeah, if you see someone with an ASU shirt on a tricycle with a big flag in Peoria, wave, it's me!
If you like pictures of old-time Phoenix, please become a member of History Adventuring on Patreon. I share a LOT of cool old photos there, copyright-free, with no advertising. Your support makes it happen! Thank you!
Comments
Post a Comment