This is slightly tangential to travel, but it is relevant IMO as it is a decision made by Delta airlines. I am supportive of this decision. If it costs $$ to have to frequently test the unvaxxed employees and the potential medical cost should they get sick with covid and need hospitalization or other medical care, they should pay more for their healthcare (just like smokers). https://www.cnn.com/2021/08/25/business/delta-unvaccinated-insurance-cost-increase/index.html
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Similarly, Canada is irked that Americans are allowed into Canada but no reciprocation.
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Honestly, I was surprised that Canada actually didn’t delay their opening once the US said (originally) August 21. Canada opened August 9 and now the soonest for US for Canadians is Sept. 21.
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Nova Scotia had 7 new cases yesterday, 50 active cases, and 0, yes 0 people in the hospital with COVID. Still, they have an indoor mask mandate and as far as I could see 100% compliance.
I could understand if NS decided to bar US travelers. They currently require their own travel documentation for anyone entering the province, in addition to the Arrive Canada paperwork for foreign travelers.
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Looks like additional restrictions on travel to the EU may come in on Monday, but only affecting unvaccinated travelers (which would be similar to current rules in the UK):
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I flew to Georgia in late June when my dad was in ICU and my local sister was in AZ getting her D and GS moved into their military housing (niece’s H was already there). Flew non-stop; usually I drive the ten hours, but that was riskier than a small plane going to a small airport. I wouldn’t do it now (and have already declined the HS reunion down there in late September).
S2 came in from Eastern Europe in early July to get vaccinated. Tested before he left Europe and a couple of days after he arrived, vaxed the morning after he got here, isolated in our basement, and we ate outside on the screened porch. I masked most of the time he was here. He also tested before he returned and a few days after.
S1 came in for a couple days while S2 was here. He took Amtrak from CA and had a cabin the entire way. Wore an N-95 and brought food. Also rapid tested before and after arrival.
In retrospect, we were lucky the timing worked out before Delta kicked up. We’d be cancelling those same plans if we were doing it now.
H and I have made a few day trips to a state park in Delaware with a quiet beach. Not many people there, and we bring food/get takeout. We’ve also gone camping – but we do this stuff during the week to reduce exposure.
I see my oncologist on Wed. about whether/when to get the 3rd vax.
Don’t see us doing fun travel any time soon.
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They’ll probably recommend it. Saw mine last week and then went to Walgreens and got my 3rd.
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My husband might be forced to take a vacation soon. Sigh. The timing is not great because Hawaii is off the table… I really hope we can also take time off in February… Maybe we can re-visit San Diego if we have to take a break in September.
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A coworker who recently underwent chemo just got their booster. The first day it was available here in WA.
It may get worse for all EU bound travelers from US regardless of vaccination status.
The EU travel list, which is reviewed every two weeks, isn’t binding on member states, but it has generally set the pattern over the past few months for who can visit the bloc. Some countries may decide to keep permitting U.S. tourists if they can prove they have been vaccinated.
Hopefully a few will buck the “pattern”.
The EU’s actions are partly due to surging #'s of cases, and partly because US did not reciprocate and open our borders to travelers from the EU. Just read that 88% of the UK has had at least one dose of vaccine–wouldn’t it be nice if we could do that???
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@BunsenBurner come on down to San Diego! September is one of our best months by the beach since the kids are all back in school and there are fewer tourists.
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@showmom858 I’m coming to San Diego on Sunday for a 10-day visit with my oldest. I’ve been many times for short visits while she was in college, but this will be my longest visit.
Thinking of doing a day trip to Julian/Anza Borrega State Park - ever been to either? If so, any recommendations for lunch/dinner (outdoor) and best place to get apple pie?
Alternatively, or perhaps in addition to, that day trip, we might also visit Temecula. Any recommendations there? Think it be too busy/crowded on either a Saturday or Sunday? She will be working during the week so can only visit on weekend.
Main reason for my trip is a little vacay from rest of my family 
Just kidding. But after spending most of the last 18 months with kids doing remote school and H now permanently working at home, I need an escape! D’s boyfriend left for 2.5 months of training not long after D started a full time job so his poor dog, used to someone being home all day, is alone for long periods. I jokingly offered to come dog sit and D was excited at the idea (knowing I will cook her dinner every night, LOL). So during the week, I’ll be spending my days walking the dog to Balboa Park (near her house), as well as long dog walks along the oceanfront walk in PB, etc.
If you have any recommendations for Temecula/Julian, or any other day trip suggestions, please PM me!
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Not quite an apples to apples comparison, UK has 71.9% of the entire population with at least one dose and 63.8% fully vaccinated vs US at 61.3% and 52.0% respectively (https://ig.ft.com/coronavirus-vaccine-tracker/?areas=gbr&areas=isr&areas=usa&areas=eue&areas=can&areas=chn&areas=ind&cumulative=1&doses=total&populationAdjusted=1)
The UK’s advantage is that take up is extremely high amongst the over 50s, and relatively consistent across the country. But the highest vaccinated US states and counties are better than anywhere in the UK because vaccines are available to kids 12 and up here, which is not the case in the UK.
It is interesting to note that the UK would say they are adopting a wholly scientifically driven approach, and the scientists are reluctant to approve vaccinating younger teens because the risks of the vaccine (to them as individuals rather than society as a whole) are considered to outweigh the risks of the disease. Ironically it is the politicians now pushing for wider vaccination because they consider the societal benefits of potentially reducing spread are more important than any side effects that the kids might suffer.
The UK is also no longer even advising that masks be worn in schools except temporarily during a “substantial” outbreak because they consider the (to date unproven) benefits in reducing spread do not outweigh the disadvantages in impeding communications.
Fundamentally it seems there’s no panic about the idea that this is just another childhood illness that most kids will catch and build up natural immunity with few suffering any long term effects.
Anyway we are headed to the UK next week for a family wedding. Will be interesting to observe the differences in attitudes there compared to the US.
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@4kids4us - It looks like I’m not able to send you a PM so I will just reply here. Julian is a nice drive, but it can get really crowded in town on the weekends. We have only driven through there during Covid on our way to other places. I think a lot of people stop for pie at the Julian Pie Company. The town also has breweries and hard cider places that are popular. Volcan Mountain is a great hike outside Julian. From the top you get great views over the desert to the Salton Sea.
Borrego is a nice place for a hike as long as it is not too hot. A fun thing to do in Borrego is to drive around and see all of the sculptures. You will be driving on dirt roads to get out to may of the large sculptures. We have usually brought our own lunch or stopped for sandwiches if we go to Borrego so I can’t recommend anywhere to eat.
If your daughter is interested in something really unusual in the desert check out Salvation Mountain near Slab City. It is a bit far to do Julian, Borrego and Salvation Mountain all in one day.
Temecula has many wineries that you can visit and get lunch or dinner at. Make sure to get a reservation on the weekends as they are busy.
If you get down here, maybe we can put together a CC meetup - outside, naturally. I’m wide open second half of the month (after the High Holidays).
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Great idea! I will let you know if and when we decide to go! 
@showmom858 @4kids4us I second the recommendation of the Julian Pie Company. In addition to the bakery in Julian, you can buy whole pies from Julian Pie Company in some local grocery stores in the San Diego area. We bought ready made ones at Vons and frozen bake-at-home ones from Gelsons.
We like the Julian Cafe and Bakery for apple pie. https://www.juliancafe.com/
Re your plans - keep in mind that it is going to be really hot inland for a while - Anza Borrego is showing about 100 degrees for the next two weeks, and Temecula in the 90’s. You might prefer staying closer to the coast for day trips - perhaps San Clemente or Laguna Beach? Traffic times are never reliable but can be in the three hour round trip range to Laguna Beach.
If you do go to Julian, I recommend leaving in the morning and taking the very scenic Sunrise Highway off the 8 to go up.
If you haven’t been, the San Diego Botanic Garden makes a nice short day trip: https://www.sdbgarden.org/
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