@bobwjr, @Julie808, @mtnhome, @BitFlipper, @Ohub, @tinkercreek, @twshield, @Wildgreens, @ToolGuy, @blzjz, @Seeker3CO, @ScienceBill72, @SanDiegoAirport, @Merseyman1, @Jolanta, @PadraicM, @Buddha, @Apunzelle, @Geoffrey51

Typical unprepared man. Dressed in shorts and a T-shirt, Bob only carried a small water bottle in his hand. No day pack, food or jacket. I'm sick of men who don't carry their weight on hikes.

When I sat down to eat, I gave him half of my meat. He didn't want the fresh vegetables, fruit, crackers or cheese. Does he expect women to take care of him?

That said, I enjoyed his company. We laughed and exchanged adventure stories.

Bob remembers me from the YMCA. "There she is!" he said when I stood up and removed my long-sleeved shirt. He remembers watching me stretch on the mats.

"You need to reduce the weight of your pack by 10 pounds," he said three times. So after lunch, I pulled out everything in my pack:

Hiking Essentials

lightweight down jacket, raincoat, food, 1-1/2 liters of water, sunscreen, headlamp, first aid kit, hand sanitizer, toilet paper, head-and-shoulders bug net, pack rain cover, insect repellent, reflective survival blanket, extra headlamp batteries, water purifier, small folding knife, straps, inflatable sit-upon, and a fleece jacket. Also warm clothes, hat, gloves and sunglasses.

"Today I don't need the fleece jacket," I said.

Be Prepared

**Mountain weather can change in a snap," I told Bob.

"Two years ago, every time I stepped over 6,000 feet elevation: black clouds boiled in, temperature dropped 20-30 degrees, wind was howling and it started snowing and/or sleeting sideways. In July and August, this happened five times. Unprepared people fled. I calmly zipped on the bottoms of my pants, put on a long-sleeved shirt, down jacket, raincoat, hat and gloves, and I was good to go."

Bob wanted to go higher, adding 10 miles to our hike. "No," I replied. "You don't have enough water or food. You're not prepared."

I've been social distanced from women for about 20ish years, so. Covid 19 or not. I don't see any real difference.

What's a 'date?'

You made sure he wasn't a Trumper or a Born Again? First things first.

Have fun storming the castle.. err mountain.

I just had a semi-distanced first date from this site a few days ago. A 5-hour picnic at a grassy overlook on the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia. A bit of a trek for me but it was a beautiful day and we both enjoyed a 5-hour picnic with my dogs. No close contact but for quick hugs at start and finish. Low risk... we both live in the country in very rural counties with almost zero new cases and no deaths. Went well... I think we were both needing to see a new face after 2-months of house-arrest. Hoping for more visits soon.

I’d settle for a FaceTime date right about now, I haven’t been on a date since August

NOPE! You don’t know what you don’t know and hormones make people do dumb shit.

Sounds good, it's a good occasion to meet as friends only. Less stress, sharing the thrill of the scenery, hiking, and you can see how the conversation goes, whether be it smart, entertaining, natural...

Just don't drink so all your inhibitions go out the window, I say. Good luck.

You could wear your rain gear I guess if you want to get close.

You could try line-dancing!

"Take a hike.......... with me!"
(I imagine you could tell him that )

Hope all goes well, and you enjoy yourself.

Late to this, haven't read any comments yet, but I'd avoid anyone who'd do a 1st date ATM. Put them in the same category of people who refuse to use condemns.

Probably just me, though.

You area is gorgeous. I always love your photos. A lady friend of mine, now living in Seattle after losing her husband to cancer, visited your Lake Wenatchee State Park last weekend with her new guy and posted spectacular photos on FB. Another friend of mine packed-up his life a year or so ago and moved to Bend OR. I'm always eager to see his FB postings. Wonderful places to live!

Great

Sounds good! Social distancing or not, I like a hike or a walk to get to know someone. If he's not good company, at least you will get some exercise and enjoy the beauty of nature!

It's cute reading about how you prepared for this date. I think a date with social distancing would be fun. Actually any kind of date would be fun.

Good luck and I hope you have an enjoyable time!

You are a grown adult I say have a fantastic time and
do what ever you want to do. If there’s chemistry there’s chemistry. On the other hand there might not be. You will find out for sure. Enjoy yourself.

have fun.... be safe!

I Say go for it, keep the social Distancing for and have fun see how it goes!! Hope you both have a blast

At this point it's probably my only hope