For the last year or so, I had imagined that this summer would be one filled with celebration and travel since I completed grad school in May. The pandemic dramatically altered those plans. While it feels like a bit of a let down, I also recognize how incredibly fortunate I am these days: still employed, in good health, cohabitating with a wonderful partner and stress-relieving cat. I know this is not the case for many, and that reality is far, far worse than a lost summer of fun. So, I’m readjusting my expectations and am seeking opportunities for escape a little closer to home.
Our close friends live downstairs, and we’ve been part of the same pandemic bubble since day one. I’ve gone on a few outings with them, with my partner, and solo - masked and largely within state borders to protect ourselves and those around us. It’s pretty remarkable how much my perspective changed on my surroundings after spending 95% of my time in the same 1,000 square foot apartment, with only the occasional walk around the neighborhood or trip to the grocery store. What likely would have been fairly mundane trips now feel like so much more. This shift in perspective is welcome, and it’s an unexpected gift in the midst of so much pain and suffering. It’s a confusing mixture of feelings to hold at the same time.
I also haven’t been taking as many photographs as I’d anticipated I might this year. The majority of the images I’ve taken have been around our apartment, unsurprisingly, but our trips have been one exception to that. Below are a few of those, a few tangible slices of life during this incredibly strange and difficult time.
A ride down to Bridgeport means stops to take photographs of the old factories and warehouses in the area
More Bridgeport sights
One last view from Bridgeport
A stop to admire the architecture in West Town after picking up coffee
Alley peeping around Winnemac
A solo stroll around Humboldt Park
A fitting mural at Empty Bottle
A beautiful day around Goose Island
It was strange going months without going downtown
Walking through Wicker Park after a trip to the dentist
Hospitals: terrifying before, even moreso now
Venturing into the suburbs
A rare indoor trip for specialty wood
Big Marsh on the south side of the city
More Big Marsh, excited to visit again soon to see changes in this work-in-progress park
Driving around the industrial far south side
More industrial sights, this time at Wolf Lake