Some things to do while you’re waiting for your river trip
A note from your friends at ARTA: We’ve been guiding trips, running rapids, and saving rivers since 1963 and we never thought we’d find ourselves trying to navigate a worldwide pandemic. We are unsettled, of course, but also optimistic; hopeful that the communal spirit (and rigorous hygiene) that we’ve seen on our trips will prevail throughout society at large and that we’ll be back on the river soon. We hope that you are safe and healthy and we look forward to getting out there with you. In the meantime…
1. Stay connected –
- Call your mom. Or dad. Or best friend from high school. Or all of them.
- Have a Netflix Party – (and invite us if you want).
- Have a Zoom Happy Hour – (and invite us if you want)
Pro Tip from a virtual friend:
“Every hand that we don’t shake must become a phone call that we place. Every embrace that we avoid must become a verbal expression of warmth and concern. Every inch and every foot that we physically place between ourselves and another, must become a thought as to how we might be of help to that other, should the need arise.”
Rabbi Yosef Kanefsky
2. Stay calm –
- The World Health Organization has some good advice for keeping calm during the pandemic.
- Meditate
- Meditate some more
3. Stay clean –
4. Stay in shape –
6. Learn to play an instrument
Pro Tip from our friends in the music industry:
“The ‘hired gun’ musician community is hit pretty hard right now (no public gigs) and a lot of really talented and creative studio and backup artists are open to the idea of private lessons via Skype or Facetime. Contact the manager of your favorite band (look in the ‘about’ tab on their website) and see if any of the band members are looking for work.”
8. Have a backyard picnic
- ARTA favorite —>
- Others (not as good)
9. Support your local restaurant
Pro Tip from our friends in the restaurant business:
“If your favorite local restaurant is closed, buy a gift certificate, (and then come back with all your friends when this is over). That cash flow will keep the staff a little more employed and will help flatten a different curve. ”
10. Volunteer
- In person: Local food banks are switching to window/walk-up service
- Virtual: The National Park Service has some interesting opportunities
- Big List: From our virtual friends at Morning Brew.
12. Watch a documentary
Honeyland
“We only take half…”
(streaming on Hulu)
Into the Canyon
“It’s hard to tell people how hard it is…”
(streaming on Disney+)
Parks and Recreation
“Treat yo’ self.”
(streaming on Netflix)
BONUS: Remember #1
We’re here: (arta@arta.org)
and here: (209-962-7873) if you just want to tell us your story (or hear one of ours).
