The Roaring ’20s

Do you remember when we thought we were about to enter our generation’s version of The Roaring ’20s? How excited were we to start the new decade!? Mrs. R and I actually went out to celebrate with the midnight fireworks at Universal Studios. It was going to be great — and it was, for a few months. I could go on for days about how the home years missed the mark, but it is a testament to the human resilience that despite it all, we moved on, pushed through all the lockdowns, and resumed our journey on this blue marble. So what has the journey looked like for the Ramdolfis thus far?

═════ 2020 ═════

Not much happened this year, not much could happen besides waiting for the world to reopen, waiting for the vaccine to be released, and overall, waiting for the sun to shine once more and melt away our collective fears and anxieties. But as time went on, we got creative, we proved to be resourceful, and we made do with what we had. While most of the U.S. discovered sourdough bread and baking in general for the first time — causing flour to follow the lead of toilet paper and disinfecting wipes — we focused on socially distant adventures in the car. From our road trips into nature, to once in a lifetime events (like driving through Six Flags during the holidays), and Drive-In theaters that I never thought we would get to experience outside the 50s, our little Prius was instrumental in navigating the new normal.

═════ 2021 ═════

It’s the first anniversary of “two weeks to flatten the curve” and the vaccine has begun to be distributed to those who need it the most. At the same time, some businesses began to reopen, albeit in ways not previously seen and unlikely to ever return. For instance, certain flights resumed with every other seat empty to ensure social distancing, Disneyland’s limited capacity yielded a completely different experience for attendees, and masks were required everywhere — even for those vaccinated. It was a strange new new normal, but it was a step in the right direction. It would soon be morning in America again.

═════ 2022 ═════

This was the first largely normal year since 2019, though mask were still required at some businesses, especially as new and more contagious variants yielded waves of hospitalizations. However unlike years past, the vaccine was now available to anyone who wanted one in the United States, and several boosters were recommended if not encouraged. Nevertheless, even fully vaccinated, this was the year that we finally got covid. Thankfully it only set us back about a week and then we were on our way to adventures in the woods, the city, and beyond! More on that to come soon as I rediscover the theming and cadence of this, our corner of the internet. Spoiler: It will still primarily be centered around Caffeinated Adventures in Los Angeles, but with a slightly greater focus on Travel as shown below.

═════ 2023 ═════

Happy New Year! With that our summary is caught up to speed! Insert the “Blinking Guy” meme here as we ponder the question, how on earth are we on the fourth year of the decade already? It was just 2019 a moment ago, I had just read my vows to the woman I would soon call my wife, and suddenly we’re closer to our “Wood Anniversary” than to “I Do.” I remember watching an excellent movie for the first time and hearing the line “Life moves pretty fast. If you don’t stop and look around once in a while, you could miss it.” I thought that quote to be true then, little did I know it would become incrementally more truthful every year. With that in mind the goal for this year, as well as the rest of our Roaring ’20s and beyond, is simple: Make the most of this journey, one cup of coffee at a time. Cheers!

Tell me, how are your “Roaring ’20s” thus far? Have you been able to do the things you intended to do at the turn of the decade? What are you looking forward to the most this year? Bonus: Do you know what movie that quote is from?

Thank you so much for visiting our corner of the internet! If you enjoyed this post, please make sure to subscribe for more caffeinated content! Have an awesome day!  ☕

(Featured Image by: Mr. Ramdolfi)