I feel fortunate to have been locked down in Arizona. Mesa has many amenities without having the big city (too close for comfort) feel to it. We managed to get enough supplies, even though the toilet paper was not our preferred brand. Most sensible people have accepted the lockdown and are trying to do the right thing. The social distancing, testing, masks, gloves, compulsive hand washing, hand sanitizer and air fist bumps have all become normal.

Checking in with friends in Puerto Peñasco the biggest complaint seems to be that the beaches are closed. I hope that everyone can focus on doing the right thing until we can safely open business and get back to normal. I sure would like to return to Peñasco, do some fishing and enjoy a shrimp dinner while watching the sun set on the Sea of Cortez with friends and family.

Usually my stories contain a fly fishing segment and I have been able to fly fish with friends, and practice social distancing. We have been driving separate vehicles, and once we are in the water it’s easy to keep your distance in a kayak or pontoon boat. I have managed to catch some largemouth bass, small mouth bass, pike, crappie, carp, and even a walleye while visiting Havasu, Alamo Lake, Upper Lake Mary, and some of the canals in Phoenix. Hope you can find a way out of your bunker, and do something fun while staying safe. Vince Deadmond The Retired Hardware Guy can be reached at vince@ajbest and 480 818 1796.