THE VIEW FROM JACKSON HOLE

Jackson is a small mountain town in rural Wyoming, population 10,000. There isn't much population density, and it's fairly easy to avoid contact with others. So far it feels like a pretty safe harbor to ride out Hurricane Corona.

But Jackson Hole is also a huge tourism hub, with over 2.5 million visitors each year! If people continue to visit from all over the world... well that's less than ideal. On the other hand, the local economy is almost entirely based on tourism: ski resorts, guides, hotels, restaurants. Rents and cost of living are sky high, the price of admission for easy access to mountains and wilderness. It's not uncommon for locals to work multiple jobs in the service industry as a way to make ends meet. What happens if tourism suddenly dries up? Tours cancelled? Restaurants closed? I imagine there are similar conversations happening in tourist towns everywhere.

I had planned to leave this Friday to take a long-planned Yachtmaster course in Grenada -- although that trip is now in serious jeopardy. I'm still in a state of partial denial, but when I look at the situation objectively it's hard to see how that trip could go on. We haven't heard from the school yet, and don't know if they will let us reschedule or how they will handle the issue. Just like us in Jackson they are probably trying to figure out what's next.

Even though I know my Grenada trip is likely not happening, I haven't made alternative plans. I guess hunkering down and cooking at home, drinking hot toddies and building snowmen sounds like an okay substitute. We just got 23" of fresh snow, it’s about time for me to get out my skis and get ready for an afternoon tour. Nothing like nature to take your mind off the world!