Canoerebel
Posts: 21100
Joined: 12/14/2002 From: Northwestern Georgia, USA Status: offline
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Northwest Georgia and Metro Atlanta have been the focus of the virus in this state, though we're still dealing with comparatively small verified numbers. That'll change, no doubt. Today, I went for a long hike on Lavender Mountain, about ten miles from my house. The Berry College campus (the largest college in the world, by acreage) is closed, so the place was almost a ghost town (I teach there, so I have more access). ON a lovely March Saturday, I'd expect to see dozens at the Old Mill and perhaps a dozen or more on the trail. Today company was sparse - two mountain bike riders and a young couple with their baby and dog. In some ways, atmosphere reminds me of some of the scenes in the Lord of the Rings. In that movie, dark broiling clouds from Mordor spread, throwing everything into dense gloom as evil advances. Here, in addition to the growing concern about the virus, its been cloudy day after day - a gloom settling upon the land. I met an acquaintance from our local health department. I see him out there, far along the trails, three or four times every year. He's a smart, good man. He didn't fist bump this time, which is the first time ever. He cautioned me to keep my family from crowds and to flee should anybody cough or sneeze. And he said he wished the college campus was still open, within reason, to give residents a place to exercise and get out. Cardiovascular health will be hard to maintain but may help ward off bad things. In the woods, all was serene an normal. Blue-headed vireos are singing their springtime song. The ruby-crowned kinglets will soon begin their "liberty, liberty, liberty" song that announced they're about to leave for points far north. Spring beauty is in bloom. Blackberry and a few other shrubs are leafing out. It's just a normal spring day.
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