This weekend was the unofficial start of another McHenry summer. While, officially, summer runs from June 20 to September 22, most of us think of summer as running from Memorial Day to Labor Day. With the continuation of the governor’s ‘shelter-in-place’ order, this year, it may not feel like summer has really kicked off this weekend.

Staying indoors for extended periods is something we do in the winter. But, with the coronavirus, most of us are spending winter-like hours indoors even as the weather warms. We have yet to escape from cabin fever staying indoors to avoid another kind of literal fever.

Hopefully, you took advantage of some summer-like weather we experienced in McHenry this past weekend. With highs in the 80s, we owed it to ourselves to get outdoors. Many of us stoked up the barbeque. Maybe you did some gardening, played with the kids outside, and washed the car in the driveway. But, whatever you did, hopefully, you got out of the house a bit.

Was one or two days in the sun enough? Are you really cured of cabin fever if you don’t cross the property line for an extended period? You’ll have to answer these questions for yourself. But regardless of how much you enjoyed outdoor activity this past weekend, spending some more time outdoors is a great idea with everything going on.

This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take due precautions to avoid transmitting or getting COVID-19. You should definitely do all that is required to avoid getting sick. But you also have to consider your mental health and the mental health of your family.

Here’s a suggestion: get in the car and take a drive. Drive up to a lake in Wisconsin and go fishing (don’t forget your fishing license). Drive out to the Rock River along Route 2 – one of the more scenic roads in the state. Just drive around McHenry and McHenry County.

Roll the windows down and play some summertime music. Wave to people. It’ll feel good to make a connection, even if from 6-feet apart or more.

The lockdown will end, sometime. For the time being, it’s your job to keep your spirits up and help your family do the same. McHenry will look a lot different when the lockdown is over. For now, be a little creative. Get out and enjoy yourself with a drive around the McHenry countryside.