We took the RV up to Lake Conroe for some boat time and a little bit of on-water social distancing. We had great weather and enjoyed three days in a row on the boat. It was windy and the lake was choppy with some whitecaps, but all-in-all our time on the water was lovely.
On Saturday – our third day – everyone showed up for their first boat day of the year. On Thursday and Friday I had counted just six to eight trailers when the tractor took us to the launch ramp. Saturday I lost count at 45 trailers! The tractor drivers were going non-stop.
Our storage facility being busy was just a foreshadow of how busy the lake was going to be. In our 13 years keeping a boat at Lake Conroe, I cannot remember seeing so many boats on the lake.
Holiday weekends are good times to avoid being on the lake, and we usually do. There are just too many inexperienced folks in too many boats with too much beer. This weekend was no different. We saw any number of dumb things being done on the lake, including one boat that came about right in front of us. I said to Linda that we would read of at least one death before the weekend was over. It did not take long. On our way back to the RV, we were passed by an emergency vehicle towing a rescue boat. A man fell off a personal watercraft wearing no safety vest – what a surprise.
Our Private Cove
One of the things we like to do when on the lake is wander up into a quiet cove, drop anchor, eat a bit of lunch, and take a nice relaxing dip in the lake. When we do that the living is easy. And we have our favorite, private places. Places others don't go to. Places where we can be by ourselves. Private places.
That was our plan on this busy Memorial Day weekend Saturday. We headed for one of our favorites, a shady little cove along the edge of the national forest. Just Linda and I and a few egrets fishing. Everything was great and going as planned until...
We wandered along the shoreline until we finally came to a place that was quiet and found our refuge. We stayed for a while, ate our lunch and relaxed. Then we decided to cut the day short and get off the water while we were still safe and before the holiday boaters dug in to their back-up beer coolers. After all, we can always go back another day.
COVID-19, the novel Caronavirus, is officially no longer a problem in Texas. It's over. Done. Complete. Kaput. Finished. No more.
I know this because the governor of Texas announced that it was okay for us all to go to restaurants, bars, beaches, and every other essential place people want to go. And because the governor, who knows his pandemics, said it was okay to go out, everyone is out. And they are out without their gloves and their masks. Who needs gloves and masks? Social distancing? Hah! We don't have to social distance. This pandemic is over.
I went in a store on Friday and suddenly I am the only person (well, there was one other old guy) wearing a mask and gloves. A week ago everyone was wearing a mask. Does everyone think the danger has completely disappeared because things are starting to open up again? Do they understand that restarting is more about political and economic reasons than any clear proof that the virus has waned to less than critical importance? I don't think so. But if they do, then they just don't care. Either way, it is absolutely amazing.
Anyway, if you are out and about, please keep staying safe. It ain't over 'til its over.