My wife and I visited Mayo Clinic in Minnesota for nearly three weeks. In the dead of winter. It might be called the dead of winter because if you stay outside too long you’ll be dead.

Winter can be nasty in Minnesota.

Mayo Clinic’s preliminary diagnosis (ALS is a diagnosis of exclusion) made us change plans. First, we decided to visit family to say our goodbyes. Second, we decided to plan for a few vacations.

It did not take long to come up with a good list. Las Vegas (in warmer weather), San Francisco, Napa Valley, Maui and a drive to the top of Mt. Haleakala. We even thought of driving around the country for a couple of months.

I like to drive.

Within a few weeks of returning home COVID-19 virus struck the U.S. That ended plans to travel.

Also upended were simple things like walking in the park, cruising around the mall, dining out, and shopping for, well, anything.

We deserve a vacation. We want a vacation. There’s nowhere to go.