As we know, we really can’t go anywhere for the time being. That being said, the past somber Saturday I had lied in bed for just a moment too long when suddenly, I had an idea. Seeing that it was only a 90 minute drive away, it would be a change of scenery, and we would still be distancing ourselves from the rest of the population, I saw no flaw in rounding up the family and spending our Saturday night at Lake Eerie. So at 7:30 PM, thirty minutes after I let my parents know of the idea, that’s exactly what we did.
At 8:00 PM, it already felt like the middle of the night; the sky was pitch black and it was bone-chillingly cold. Everyone kept all their layers on, despite being in the air-conditioned car. Besides the frosty conditions, the excitement was high! This was our first “trip” since quarantine in March.
Around halfway into the drive, my stomach started to rumble. Trust me, no feeling can replicate the one while eating steaming pasta leftovers in a frosty car.
It seemed like a few of our retired fishing neighbors were here as well. As we rolled in, a few dogs greeted us with shrill barks.
There she is! Our little Ohio condo, uninhabited since Summer 2019. Although it was just for a night, we definitely still packed a significant amount of luggage.
When we entered inside, the beachy teal, navy, and white color scheme immediately welcomed us. Those times felt like so long ago, a world before coronavirus took over.
Considering the holidays were nearing, we thought it was fitting to bring some Christmas lights to decorate. We did this immediately, even before unpacking our things, so we obviously have our priorities straight.
After I had gotten ready for bed, I heard some light pawing coming from outside my door. Knowing it could only be one thing, I opened the door to see my aussiedoodle Oreo let himself in and sit at the foot of my bed, puppy eyes activated.
The following morning, I woke up to see a bundle of black fur on my bed, at my feet. I wasn’t sure when he got up there, but it was a very chilly morning and he was making an excellent foot warmer.
Outside, the sky was quite gray, giving the quiet street a distinctly dreary feel. Considering this lake house was our little getaway from the busy world, it felt straight out of a coming-of-age movie.
The empty fishing boat docks, leafless trees, and neverending gray clouds felt like the epitome of nostalgia versus real life. The only other times I had been at this house were during the bright summer fishing season, yet this was the quiet scene now.
We made our way to the Ottawa National Wildlife Refuge, a popular stop for summer tourists. It made sense why; all of the highlight birds of the park were gone for the winter.
Something about the lifeless trees and crisping brown leaves was so peaceful. It also helped that we were the only people at the park that day, even the workers weren’t there due to COVID-19 restrictions and safety.
As we continued down the trail, there was a lonely bench near a pond. It must have been ages since it had felt anyone sit on it, and it seemed like it was craving for warmth.
Normally, this trail would be bustling with excited bird-watchers. However, with the pandemic restrictions in place across the country and the onset of winter, the silence was the loudest that day.
Afterwards, we paid a visit to Maumee Bay State Park Beach. Just like before, the typically lively beach was deserted, and our footsteps were the first ones made in a while.
The tops of a few of the rocks were coated with a layer of thin ice due to the cold. Even the water seemed especially tranquil that day; there was no wind, no waves-- just the frosty air and ripples throughout the lake.
We ended our overnight vacation with a pit stop at McDonald’s. I ordered myself a nice hot chocolate for the ride home, a final bit of sweetness to brighten the placid day.
Although a spontaneous single night trip like this probably didn’t seem like much, I would actually say that it really helped my family and I forget, laugh, refocus, and reset. Away from my house where I've resided for months, it felt so refreshing to be able to get a taste of nature. All alone in normally busy places, I found the beauty in silence and was able to spend more meaningful time with my family. If you have the opportunity to, I would highly suggest you to just take some time to be with nature. Whilst it may seem that the entire world has changed due to the ongoing pandemic, I can assure you of one thing: Mother nature and all of her glory will always be there, so go out and into her embrace sometime!
