So, after successfully dodging COVID in South Dakota for the last three years, it caught us.

I rode home Monday with a screaming headache, a scratchy throat, and a bit of a dry cough. It could have been allergies, since I neglected to pack an extra night’s worth of my asthma med. I kept my inhaler close and rode the day away. The weather was mild. We had light winds and high, patchy clouds most of the trip home. By the time we arrived, we were beat, but that’s not unexpected. That last stretch is always the toughest.

By Wednesday, I knew something was wrong and took an at-home COVID test. Yep, positive it was. I made a flurry of phone calls, masked up, and headed to Urgent Care, where they prescribed one of the anti-viral medications. I’ve spent the past three days resting in my little cave while First Reader recovers in the other room.

Best Riding Buddy is symptom-free so far, and we aim to keep it that way. Last winter, I replenished my supply of N-95 facemasks. Wednesday, I broke into the box and passed them around the household.

We’ve been able to do little about our home this week. And, next week may look much the same, depending on what our tests read at the end of our quarantine. Other than feeling like my sinus allergies are out of control, I feel fatigued. That is one hallmark of this illness.

For now, we’ll both rest and recover, and get ready for our next endeavor.