We weren’t sure whether to cancel our FL Feb camping plans or not and finally decided to go. The recharge for us mentally (could be due to Vit D deficiency during winter?) was worth trying it - knowing we could cut it short and return if necessary. The active Covid numbers are lower where we are here than they are back home, and we were able to jump from our house to FIL’s to one hotel to camping keeping the risk low. The hotel was specifically selected due to reviews talking about how clean it seemed to be vs others with reviews saying the opposite. Their breakfast was a bag of various breakfast foods to go. All dining out has been drive thru or delivery. Shopping has been curbside pickup.
So, we’ve been here since Jan 31st and don’t regret a thing - even with colder temps and high wind for FL the past couple days. Everyone here at the campground has been super respectful about distancing and masking if needed. Check in was contactless. The beach we go to doesn’t have many people on it, so distancing is simple. (We’re at Ft Desoto in Pinellas county.)
Normally we visit friends when we’re down here, but we’re skipping that this year.
And, specifically for this trip we bought a Core Equipment super large, lighted tent. This way we have our own indoor “office” instead of using their community room that we’d use other years. H and a DIL still work on our trips and our game streaming son (SirProok on FB) is streaming from our site (outside) with the water in the background. Instead of going places in our free time (other than beach walking) and doing things, we’re playing games inside our tent.
It’s definitely a Covid year, but travel can be safe if one is willing to adapt. No bars, dining in, shopping, or other “stuff” is really needed. Our risk here is likely less than it would be at home (esp due to numbers in both areas).
To each their own on whether they choose to go somewhere or not, esp since not everyone enjoys what we love (esp nature/camping). I just thought I’d relate our experience. I’m glad we came and don’t look forward to having to return - though we must - far earlier than we would have in a non-Covid year since this campground only allows two week stays and we didn’t make other reservations this year.
Hopefully Covid will be a thing of the past by next Feb. Our “original” plan had been to be in some Caribbean Islands for 2 months this year. To us, that’s not safe - hence - Plan B.
We have had to travel due to necessity, and we have been relatively comfortable doing so. We are very careful, and we have found it possible to keep our distance. Many people we encountered in our travels did not wear masks, but we were able to stay away from them for the most part (the biggest offender was my SIL). If we had underlying conditions, though, it would have been scarier.
We are heading out in 10 days for a 15 day road trip to ski in Colorado and Utah. We skied in Utah before Christmas and felt very safe on that road trip. Besides skiing we will visit the Grand Canyon, Canyonlands and Monument Valley. Every place we are staying has a kitchen or at least a refrigerator and microwave. We will be taking food with us and eating takeout otherwise. Hotels we are staying in have grab and go breakfasts if we want it. We pack our own food and water for lunch on the slopes. We are really looking forward to getting away.
We are getting ready to do a 3 day ( 2 nights ) road trip, which will involve staying at 2 hotels. I’m searching for hotels that are low rise, so we can take the steps instead of an elevator. Hotels also have to have a balcony, so we can get fresh air in the room. H likes the ones with their own heating/air conditioning unit in the wall. We will wipe down everything upon arrival. We can ask for a room that has been vacant for 24 hours. Any other suggestions?
All of what you are doing is what we look for when booking a hotel during Covid. Before we take any of our stuff into a room I wipe everything down with Clorox wipes and spray Lysol spray in the bathroom and on any places we will sit. I know that some people don’t think this is necessary, but this has made me feel better on the trips we have taken this past year. Some places tell you on their websites that they leave rooms empty for 24 hours. If not then you can just ask when you book.
I am reading now in the LA Times (subscription) that Denmark and Estonia are working on digital passports for vaccinated people which will facilitate travel.
I hope some Silicon Valley person is working on this for the US. Estonia wants proof with manufacturer, batch number, date of vaccination etc. These passports also involve a national database.
We are trying to figure out when to reschedule our canceled trip to Hawaii. It involves the Norwegian cruise around the islands. I know…some of you think I am nuts…but that’s what we want to do. They are taking reservations for later in 2021, but I’m thinking May 2022 is a better bet.
Not nuts at all. When we stayed in a beachfront hotel in Oahu in November, I did a modified version of this. Took stuff (luggage and groceries) into the condo, opened all windows, wiped all handles and toilet seats with Chlorox wipes, loaded all dishes into the dw, and then unpacked. We slept with windows open because we like to, sat on the beach, walked on the path, swam, and ate at the local restaurants that did not look packed. We felt pretty safe. Mask compliance was close to 100%, so kudos HI!
I wanted to do that circle Hawaii cruise but not sure if I want to ever get back on a cruise ship. I would seriously consider a vacation there next winter, especially if I can talk husband into going along. Mainly I just want to snorkel!
I want to see son in Seattle but it depends on how he feels about contact and when he gets his vaccine. If he’s willing to fly or take the train, we could do the two day drive to pick him up or bring him back. This would be in the summer.
I would also like to go back to Chicago to see my brother and revisit favorite places, but that’s probably back burner.
I thought I’d never do a cruise agian, but I saw somewhere one was requiring all passengers to have proof of vaccination. I think that might be ok? I suppose a lot depends on how all the variants play out.
Just booked the lodgings for our 3 weeks in Hawaii for next February. The rest will fall in place later. Nor sure about travels before then. Will decide after vaccine.
Even with proof of vaccination, there likely will be many restrictions which will make cruising much different than in the past. Potentially:
requiring masks in all public places
no self serve buffets
company sold or vetted port excursions only (may depend on ports) and not allowed off ship otherwise
The potential for disaster if something goes awry health-related among crew and passengers is what would stop me. But I could see flying over and staying somewhere with kitchen facilities might work.
I do already live in a vacation destination… Incidentally, if any of you plan to come to San Diego once immunized, drop me a PM!
Those of you thinking about Hawaii might want to consider going now. Airfare and hotels are so cheap. The rate of Covid may be the lowest in the nation. I believe the only requirement is showing proof of a negative test before flying. Skip the cruise. Even before Covid, our family managed to get sick on two cruises. Norovirus, anyone?
Make sure to check local restrictions. They vary by island. Kauai, I believe, still requires quarantine of sorts and a local negative test. There are hotel “tourist bubbles” on Kauai that require ankle bracelets etc. the cost of monitoring is $200-300 per person in addition to hotel charges. Oahu is the least restrictive, I believe.
I wonder if Hawaii will eventually accept proof of vaccination in lieu of negative testing. I’m in no hurry so can wait and see how things look later this year.
My neighbors have a timeshare at what was the Westin (not sure what it is now called) on Maui in Ka’anapali. They left in early January after getting their required Covid tests in advance. They are there for six (or maybe it’s eight) weeks. Judging by their pictures, they are having a nice, relaxing time. They go every year in Jan/Feb to escape winter. I don’t know about snorkle boats, but restaurants are open, tho a couple of their favorites have closed down. Gold courses are open also.
