It's always 50 degrees in the cavern!

Naturally, we cancelled my birthday trip to coronavirus hot bed California and opted instead for a lovely isolated getaway in culturally vibrant, always sunny…

Columbus, Ohio.

After the misery phase subsided into acceptance, I decided to make an honest effort to enjoy our time away from the bustle of Chicago. I had been wishing for snow all month, and I was truly delighted to see Columbus covered in a fresh blanket of snow as we drove in, the kind that sticks around for a while. Columbus is quaint, a pleasant little city where people are serious about their coffee and food. Quality time was spent at our Airbnb in moisturizing face masks while thumbing through newly purchased books and graphic novels. Andy took this opportunity to wear the overalls I got him for Christmas — every day.

As we were still in a global pandemic, there wasn’t a lot to do. We got takeout, ate fancy cake, picked up some film from the nicest folks at Midwest Photo, and stumbled around trying to make the most of a new city.

There was an abundance of nature however, and due to my overall disinterest in the midwest, I had no idea Hocking Hills State Park existed, nor did I know there were spectacular caves within reasonable hiking distance. It seems I owe Ohio an apology for scoffing at the idea of ever visiting.

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At the conservatory, I realized the good thing about a scheduled visit is that I don’t have to deal with the usual hoards of photographers shooting wedding and family photography. The building was still and quiet. The plants were lovely. I was grateful.

On the last day of our trip, we visited the Ohio Caverns which were comfortably located in the midst of endless farmland and Trump signage. We actually passed a shrine to Trump made from haystacks which I never thought I’d see, but I suppose at this point nothing is that much of a surprise.

Later that evening, I endured a two-hour anxiety induced stomach ache as we drove through a snowstorm on the highway. Our rental turned out to be terrible in the snow and we got to play a fun game of Will We Die Tonight?

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SX70

Ah…the gift of giving myself exactly what I want for Christmas. My SX70 never disappoints. Andy is my only model these days during quarantine, though how could I possibly complain?

Good boy

Now that I’ve had time to reflect… If you ever get the chance to foster animals, in this case a dog, I would earnestly recommend it, but I would anticipate “utter exhaustion” as the description you identify with most in the very beginning.

Still, mere minutes after we let go of our first foster, tears in my eyes, still I said, “Dogs have such a weird way of making all the hard work and bullshit entirely worth it.” I stand by this statement even after all the accidental indoor poops. I miss Oso often, though I know he’ll find the perfect family to be a part of. He’s truly a regal dog fit for greatness. An-organic-food-only-groomed-routinely-sleeps-in-a-human-bed type of animal. I remember him fondly.

Oregon revisited (but on 120)

In fear of not producing the right mood, I bring both a digital and film camera when traveling.
Why yes, going through airport security is infinitely more annoying with two cameras. C'est la vie.

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You, me + Homer in Oregon

Spent a week social distancing in Oregon like downright pros. My partner and I rented a Smart Car (which we matter-of-factly named Homer) to zip around the forests and coffee cubes one after the other.

“The car was snug as hell,” I said before ascending over my body, or what once was my body, now a tangle of broken bones and cracked kitsch convenience. The two of us, Andy and I, encased eternally in our love; only dental records could identify us now…. *long pause* In reality, the car was fine. My anxiety subsided after day three, and I loosened my grip on the car’s upholstery. We had fun finding parking in the silliest spots.

While in Oregon, we found some one-on-one time with a deer grazing in a plateau, caught the mountain flowers just in bloom, and said hello to Mt. Hood himself. Two years will fly by when you’re in love with your best friend. (This trip was to celebrate our anniversary.)

Andy has recently picked up field recording, so I feel less guilty about always stopping to take pictures because he’ll usually take that opportunity to record the sounds around us. It’s nice to share things.

I hadn’t hung out with a single other person since March when the pandemic really impacted the US, and it was so lovely to see my friend Sarah, whom I met on Myspace over ten years ago. Sarah is blunt and enthusiastic, willing and kind. She’s an underrated person I think.

All photos below are clickable. I hope you listen to this while you scroll: