Today I ditched the virtual hangouts and left the house. I went to an actual establishment with a real, live human being. We visited a winery, perused the vineyards, found a picnic table in the shade and enjoyed an afternoon snack. Was it worth it? Keep reading to find out!
I’ve been playing it safe – really safe. I officially began lockdown early to mid-March and I’ve been keeping my distance ever since. As a social butterfly, it’s been tough to say the least, but on this day, I decided to leave the house. I risked it all (within reason) to visit KC Wine Co., a local winery in Olathe, Kansas.
We perused the vineyards, sipping our Peach Bellini slushes and enjoying the peculiar, but live music. The live band played an interesting set for the scene, but it was a welcome change from the silence of lockdown, so we sang along to 90’s pop hits and made the most of it.
I’ll admit, upon arrival, I was nervous. As someone who’s been adamant about observing CDC guidelines and protecting myself as well as others, the white tent at the entrance of the winery that shaded several picnic tables, was packed with other patrons looking for solace outside of their homes. We avoided the tent like the pandemic plague to the best of our ability, but seeing that social distancing wasn’t enforced outdoors was a concern.
After a walk through the vineyards, we got lucky and stumbled upon a picnic table that wasn’t under the white tent of doom, and off to the side, a safe distance from the others. We snagged the table and grabbed chicken strips, and mozzarella sticks from the visiting food truck – a generally odd pairing, but by then we’d finished our wine slushes, and it was the only available option…beggars can’t be choosers.
Masks were required to enter the establishment and purchase drinks, but were optional while outdoors. We did our best to maintain our distance and left shortly after eating. All in all, it was nice to get out of the house, but the risk wasn’t worth the wine. I had my fun, but I like my social with a little more distance.
The pandemic isn’t over just because you’re over it.
No matter how you choose to spend your days, please be mindful and be safe, our lives literally depend on it—and remember, the pandemic isn’t over just because you’re over it.
This post was written more than 14 days after visiting the winery. Coronavirus was not contracted during this outing.
XO,
AllieBe
