I have maintained and written blog posts for the past five years, and my readers occupy every corner of our planet. I’m currently occupying a camping location on the Bureau of Land Management properties in the southern Arizona desert.

I’m enjoying the 40-75 yard distance between my closest neighbor and me. Simultaneously, the occasional dessert rodent scurries pass from cacti to brush, avoiding air attacks from circling Hawks above.

My nomadic travels have become my form of self-isolation, accompanied by numerous podcasts, electronic, and audible books. The vast majority of my destinations are fueled by my curiosity of US National Parks, Monuments, Wildlife Refuges to include those at the state level.
But whatever my destination becomes, upon my arrival, I encounter people who share my curiosities and sense of travel.

The pandemic has reduced the movement of people and the associated vehicle traffic. With fewer automobiles on the roadways, has allowed the healing of our planet’s atmosphere from carbon dioxide.

As spring warms the daytime temps with fewer people in the National and State Parks, nature will bloom its beauty untouched.
There are no sports to distract me, as I conquer my Goodreads.com, “want to read” category along with my Audible.com library of novels. National Public Radio Podcasts have become commercial breaks for my writing and reading.
I am saddened with no opening day for my St. Louis Baseball Cardinals. There are no National Basketball Playoffs, and this past March was the first time in decades, I have not completed a bracket for College Basketball’s March Madness.

If you venture from your self-isolation into public areas, please wear a mask, disposable gloves when shopping at a grocery store, and refuelimg your vehicle.
Remember, if you did not clean a surface, you should wear a rubber glove or piece of paper between you and what you touch.
Washing your hands with hot soapy water for more than thirty seconds to clean under the fingernails and, if needed, changing your clothes, is a way be safe than sick.

Our ancestors survived the last world pandemic, with none of the modern conveniences of radio, television, gas or electric stoves, and refrigerators, with freezers.
They did not have dishwashers, indoor plumbing, airconditioning, and heat, and computers with internet access.
Try to imagine gathering wood for the indoor stove, for every meal, or no electric or lights to read this post?
Humming, singing, or playing an instrument while watching the grass grow a hundred years ago, pales in comparison to what we have today.
We will survive to overcome our current circumstances, so, stay, humble, remain safe as this time in history will pass.
We are all sacraficing with self-isolation, along with prayer and hope, while the beacon of light brightens towards the end of this pandemic.
So, we all will struggle to survive the 2020 COVID-19 world pandemic, with our own personal self sacrifices. However, I believe the evolution of humanity will display compassion and empathy, inspiring the solidarity of everyones self-isolation worldwide.
Marty, I thought all the state and National Parks were closed. April Irvin
👍🏻👍🏻😻
Sent from my iPad Teri Soled
>
I am glad that you have a safe (and beautiful) place to isolate. We will get through this and the doors will open again!
Beautiful words! Stay safe there in the desert. 🙂
That’s great advice. We have to take all the necessary precautions. It’s the only solution as of now. Stay safe. Take care.
Thanks Shweta, Suresh, You stay safe also. 🙂
Marty,
You may not remember me. I was stranded in Glacier last year with a fast approaching flight, hopelessly trying to hitch back. After nearly giving up hope you drove past with a wave and a smile and picked me up.
I’ve been reading all your posts since then. It’s been an absolute pleasure. So I’m especially relieved to see that you’re doing ok in all of this chaos. Better yet, you’re still living out your dream.
Stay safe out there!
Hey, Ryan, thank for the follow. I’m self-isolating in Southern AZ feeling a like a wounded bear, wanting to hike and backpack the desert, when the pandemic is over.
😷😷
Great post💯