Welcome to Pandemic Paths

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Well, who would have guessed the world as we knew it would spin off wildly into this direction?

A worldwide pandemic is something of history and horror movies, but look at us, navigating and even adapting to this new world -- and we're okay. Right? Well, I hope you're okay. If not, hugs for you -- but you know, from over here.

While these past 6 months have been full of freakiness and bewilderment, I have had many moments of deep gratitude. I am safe. I have a warm, cozy home, a lovely family, food in the fridge, and I have not run out of toilet paper (knocking on wood). My family and friends have stayed safe, tucking into their homes to do their work, bake banana bread, play games and at times to just stare gaping at the news trying to make some sense of all this.

While being cut-off from friends and family like never before, The Todd and I found ourselves needing to get outside to find joy in the sunshine and incredible views of the West Coast. And that's where the immense gratitude came, that we live in such a beautiful place with endless places to walk, explore, hike or just sit and bask in it.

So come take a hike with us! It is here that I begin the Pandemic Paths blog that will take us for a wander through all sorts of inspiring forests, beaches and neighbourhoods. These paths will be centralized in Victoria but stretch to the Cowichan Valley, Lower Mainland, hopefully Tofino and the Kootenays. Really, wherever this new pandemic world will allow me to explore, knowing that we're on a short leash these days.

I welcome you to take these walks yourself, join in vicariously through the blogs, and please suggest your favourite walks, hikes or awesome adventures.

Hugs (from over here),

Mel Z