With bright blue skies and warm temperatures, those were some of the scenes playing out in Fort Dodge and Webster County on Wednesday.

Amid all the social distancing and event cancellations during the COVID-19 pandemic, it seemed to be a small glimpse into normalcy.

Owen Hanson, 11, a fifth-grader at Manson Northwest Webster, had his friend’s dog, Boots, on a leash in a neighborhood on the south side of the city.

He and his brother, Oryan Hanson, 12, a sixth-grader at MNW, were taking advantage of the nice day.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Ben Acosta, of Fort Dodge, left, smiles as his grandson, Patrick Acosta, 12, takes a spin on bicycle at Oleson Park Wednesday.

“Enjoying the life,” Oryan Hanson said.

“We have been walking around and riding our bikes,” Owen Hanson added. “The parks (playground equipment) are closed so haven’t been there.”

While playing outside, the two said they have been keeping their distance from others.

“We see our family members and play with them but stay away from people we don’t know,” Owen Hanson said.

Ben Acosta, of Fort Dodge, was enjoying the weather while his grandson, Patrick Acosta, 12, rode his bicycle around Oleson Park with cousins.

-Messenger photo by Chad Thompson
Owen Hanson, 11, walks Boots, a friend’s dog, around a Fort Dodge neighborhood on the south side of the city Wednesday evening. Hanson and his brother, Oryan Hanson, 12, have been trying to stay busy while they are away from school.

“We looked at deer,” Patrick Acosta said. “Hung out.”

Ben Acosta said his grandson has been inside a lot lately.

“Fourteen days,” Patrick Acosta was quick to mention.

He said he’s missing “everything” about Fort Dodge Middle School.

Classes have been suspended until at least April 13.

“It’s boring to stay indoors, but this is crisis time,” his grandfather said. “You are doing your own reflections about life.”

And while city and county officials continue to encourage people to be outdoors for the physical, mental and emotional health benefits, it is asked that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations for social distancing continue to be followed.

Those include: limiting in-person social interactions and avoiding spaces or activities where people would be in close contact.

Parks, trails and green spaces are open to the public.

The following areas are closed until further notice: all playground equipment, outdoor exercise stations, basketball courts, Fort Dodge Soccer Association soccer fields, campgrounds, park open shelters, park bathrooms, public drinking fountains, Dodger Stadium, St. Edmond Catholic School arena track and field arena, tennis courts and all school parking lots.

Ben Acosta said scaling back activities for a little while can be a chance to clear our minds.

“We have to make the best of this situation,” he said. “That is reflection — to reorder our priorities.”

He added, “We usually don’t have time because we are so busy. We are always on the go. Sometimes it’s OK to be quiet.”

Ben Acosta said as Americans, “We need to change our way of thinking. Prepare for the unexpected.”

He said buying items like Tylenol has been a challenge.

“I go to the pharmacy and I could have $5,000, but I can’t get Tylenol,” he said. “That’s a nice number, but the fact is we don’t have Tylenol available. Or competing for toilet paper. We never expected that in America.”

Given how quickly the virus can change lives, Ben Acosta is grateful for the things he does have.

“Don’t take for granted everything you have and who you are,” he said.