For the first time in 12 years, my own ability to take a chase vacation this year is questionable due to work issues/obligations. That would mean no chasing at all, since I don’t live on the Plains and can’t avail myself of individual days here and there.
I won’t know my fate for sure until May gets closer; in some ways, that agonizing uncertainty is even worse than just writing off the year right now, although I guess it’s better to still have some hope, even if just for a shorter trip and/or an off-peak week.
The gnawing uncertainty in some ways makes me not even want to follow the season as it emerges; as the activity starts, especially if it’s looking like an active season, it risks getting my hopes up and makes the uncertainty and possibility of not chasing gnaw at me even more.
Have you guys ever dealt with this, and how do you handle it? When you know you can’t (or might not be able to) chase, do you prefer to just “turn it off” completely to ease the sense of loss and stop agonizing over it, or do you still like to keep an eye on things as the season starts and progresses?