What detour do you take when travel isn’t an option? My best advice is
Yesterday, after 5 weeks in my cabin I decided I needed to take a supply run. The cabinets, liquor closet and fridge were empty so I formed a “detourish plan”.
Just up the road and between the borders of California and Oregon lies the 8th wonder of the world (self-described), ALL STAR LIQUOR.
This establishment has adapted well and features what they call on their website a “road trip” option.All Star Liquors – Hilt CA
A thirsty soul can order a supply of their favorite deeply discounted HH ingredients online. The next step is to simply glove and mask up and drive by for their “to your car delivery”.
While waiting in the parking lot you can safely watch ‘the other patrons’ also at social distances also waiting and talking. To be honest it was kinda like a social distance “tailgate”. The parking lot, although controlled, has not lost its people watching cred…ahh sigh and file this under things I’ve missed since I no longer travel through airports.
In the parking area you may find the truck drivers grinning and heading back to their big rigs, family and friends in a circle with masks telling distant and funny stories, the elderly couple just gazing from the left side of the lot. Actually, the funniest thing I saw was hovering just above this scene. As you look to the left above the “lastest discount” lot sign, just to the far left on the hill you would see this:
Thi sign sits quietly against the hill and blue sky while subtling saying it all….
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Having received my order I was ushered out…and headed for Part II of my detour Take OUT! and a Japanese Garden in the park.
Scene 2:
I drove to an open “that makes my top list these days” SUHI shop in Ashland, which was a haunt of mine for take out before the days of CV-19-https://www.bonsaiashland.com. I ordered the Chiarshi and a hand roll.
I then ventured down the road to the still open (yet social distancing) Lithia Park https://www.ashland.or.us/Page.asp?NavID=14083.
There you can find a Japanese Garden and the upper duck pond which currently has Cherry Blossoms in bloom and a Japanese theme. Get here in time and you can drop your blanket at a safe distance. You take a bite of the sushi, close your eyes and you are in JAPAN. It takes some imagination and a longing for fun, but try this here or locally. It’s a treat. We all need them these days.
