During the pandemic, so much of our world suddenly became unavailable. Many things my family previously enjoyed were no longer possible.

.

So my daughter bought a standup paddleboard, and my husband bought three kayaks. Getting out on the water as a family together became our perfect summer day. We’d go to nearby places like the Cedar River and feel like we were on vacation.

.

We’d see majestic blue herons, mother ducks with ducklings in tow, and abundant seagulls. We’d paddle out onto Lake Washington and watch people on their boats, enjoying the golden sunshine and blue skies. We learned to appreciate the beauty of fresh air and natural resources in our region and enjoy life’s simple pleasures together.