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Shelly Thorn's avatar

Yes the ability to lower mask to eat was one of those insane hilarious aspects. But my poor son who traveled to meet me had other passengers complaining to the flight attendant that he was eating nuts too slowly. Can you imagine? I had a woman tell him to fix his mask above his nose when we were in a bakery and when he laughed and walked outside, the woman looked to me and accused me of not parenting him correctly.

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St. Alia the Knife's avatar

We purchased "fake" masks as the onslaught was strong in Central Covidistan (Western Washington, home of herr Inslee's 900+ day one-man rule) and wore them for awhile until we screwed up the courage to just go without. Several difficult interactions ensued but we also met some wonderful freedom-loving fellow travelers.

If your mask protects me but doesn't protect you then perhaps you have it on backwards.

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Shelly Thorn's avatar

Haha, I loved reading your experiences and coincidentally I know very much about your location. I lived there for more than three decades and happened to move out Jan 2020! When the shtf in March, I canceled travel plans and moved to my cabin in a lovely area in eastern Washington. It was a slap in the face to see how compliant this particular small town was. I finally got in an RV so I could be free, and after awhile decided to never go back. Wild times. Congrats on standing your ground and making new friends!

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St. Alia the Knife's avatar

At least you were in eastern Washington! There is a reason the Greater Idaho movement is a thing. I am curious where you ended up, assuming you have alit (bird reference). We have been mulling over options.

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Shelly Thorn's avatar

Somehow, I missed your reply.... my apologies. Yes, eastern Washington was much better for sure, and I loved traveling to Idaho in 2021 when even in the gorgeous Methow Valley, it was stifling. I'm curious about your options. What's your latest thinking? I spent over a year overseas (South Africa) and traveled for a year or more in my RV throughout the West - I've loved my time in Southern Oregon (and all over Oregon really), Northern California, Utah, Idaho and parts of Arizona and Colorado. Didn't really vibe with Nevada, New Mexico and the tiny bit of Montana I was in, but I think all could be great if you find your spot. Currently near Sedona AZ because one of my sons is here and it's nice to be with family... lots of good things here that have drawn me back a few times, but it doesn't feel like home. I tried Molokai and at one point thought I'd try Latin America but I'm kinda back to just sitting in one place unsure. I got a visa for South Africa as that's still my top choice in most ways. :)

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St. Alia the Knife's avatar

You sound like quite the migratory bird! Some dear relatives are on the verge of purchasing a residence with land in Missouri and we are considering joining them. One issue they were facing is that even if they purchased land where they are (AZ) they would need to truck in water which really wrecks the whole self-sufficient paradigm. Friends and family are most of what holds us where we are. If we could somehow move everyone then it would be different. Ah, well!

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