Soon, distant rumblings from China floated across the airwaves about a deadly virus that gripped the largest country on earth (by population). Almost 18% of the human species were battling with the reality of this virus that to me, still seemed distant and far away.

I, like many, empathized and moved on. I was up to my ears in projects, paddling, and the social life of White Salmon. Then, suddenly there was more than just news on the airways, the virus itself was now "Polka Dotting" the world, and the United States did not get left off it's list. As the cards were revealed, first Portland (only 45 minutes away), then Seattle (not so far away either), started documenting cases.

My father was visiting from Montana and given his high risk status, I began to worry. We stayed mostly out of public areas until he left but it soon became apparent that lockdowns would be enforced at any moment. So I took one last run down the Little White Salmon (KAVU DAYS 37), then made my move. Washington is been an amazing place to drop the proverbial hook, but Montana is home. I thought about my parents and decided.... if I was going to stand on a hill and fight, it would be for my family, under the big sky of Montana.

My ideal quarantine day went like this:

- Up earlyish, my alarm goes off at 7:18, my phone on airplane mode while I write 2 - 3K words in my book and drink coffee. Breakfast. Oatmeal, always. It’s really good if you do it right.

- Admin. What ever random thing I have to do like pay bills.

Film work. Creative projects. Late Lunch around 2 or 3.

Paddle or work on my new tiny house with Dad. Walk with mom

Run/workout. Sit outside for 10 minutes and try not to think of anything.

Dinner. Tea. Look at airplane listings

Read for an hour before bed. I am doing a lot of writing, and reading is important to the process. If you don't have time to read, you don't have time to write. My quarantine reading is mainly the four Lord of the Rings books. Fiction usually isn't normally my cup of tea but the creativity of the writing is an inspiration for my own, and I find myself enjoying it immensely. Bed around 11 pm.