The Coronavirus Made Me Rediscover The Beauty of the Northwest
When I think about the first time my husband took me to visit his parents on the Puget Sound, a vivid memory comes to mind: the color of the trees that populate the Northwest region of the United States. I didn’t know that this deep, emerald green existed in nature—I was mesmerized.
I moved to Portland, OR, in 2017, after spending three years in San Francisco. Despite my love for the Northwest lush nature, it took me a while to get used to the rainy weather. I visited beautiful places on the Oregon and Washington coast throughout the years, but nothing gets me as excited as flying.
I was born in Italy, and I go back every year to see my parents. I was supposed to be there in June, but like many other people, I had to change my travel plans because of the coronavirus. My husband and I had talked about going somewhere close to home to get out of our routine, but we didn’t know where to start to plan a trip during the pandemic.
The last time we went to visit my in-laws, they had offered to babysit our 1-year old son if we wanted to go away for a night, so we got excited about the possibility of spending time just the two of us. When we went back to Portland, the excitement mixed with the fear of booking a place to stay. Where to go? Is there a place we can trust? We wondered.
“The Alderbrook!” My husband announced, with enthusiasm. We had been there for dinner a couple of times and loved the experience. The Alderbrook Resort is located on Hood Canal (2.30-hour drive from Portland), and it is known for the dramatic scenery and excellent service. Without thinking twice, we booked a water-view room for the following week.
We were nervous when we arrived because we didn’t know what to expect. We put on our masks and opened the entrance door. We were greeted by the front desk assistant who was wearing a mask and gloves. These details made us feel instantly safe, and we took a long breath.
Our room was perfect, on the fourth floor, with a beautiful view of the water. It was a warm, sunny day, and we decided to have lunch on the lawn overlooking the water. We went to the restaurant, where all the staff was wearing masks and gloves, and we placed a take-out order since they didn’t offer service outside for the time being.
Both the hotel and the restaurant operated at fifty percent capacity, masks were required when interacting with the stuff, and social distancing was encouraged (the pool and spa were closed). All the guests were respectful, and we felt at ease in every area of the resort.
We enjoyed delicious meals looking at the water and took walks on the pier. We had a lovely stay at the Alderbrook and appreciated the commitment of the staff to take special care of guests during these challenging times. I didn’t expect that a getaway during the pandemic could be so pleasant—but it was.
On the way home, I felt like when I come back after a trip exploring a new place on the other side of the world—recharged, thrilled, and inspired. I was able to see the Northwest with new eyes. I found a new appreciation for it and immense gratitude for living in this part of the world.
This pandemic gave me the opportunity to rediscover many things that I took for granted. There are beautiful places to visit close to home, and excellent hotels, like the Alderbrook, that go above and beyond to ensure the health and comfort of guests.
The coronavirus should not discourage us from traveling. A quick getaway during these challenging times can help us get out of our routine and recharge us. Traveling during coronavirus is possible, but we have to be careful when we choose the place to stay and do due diligence to make sure we’re in good hands.