Forget IKEA. We tried to go about 30 min. after opening, and the queue line was longer than any TSA line I ever encountered. Maybe 100+ people? We tried to purchase a pick-up order, and could rarely find a slot. By the time we did, the items we wanted were sold out with an expected delivery date of Nov. 2020. Nevermind!
It seems like everyone I know is going someplace this summer, even considering the “safer at home” and similar campaigns. We have been VERY careful to date, but are starting to “get out” a little more.
I have this idea, but it may not be smart. @MaineLonghorn and other people familiar with Maine and the east coast, I’d like to hear your opinions.
I’m considering trying to go the Maine in September, from Maryland. It’s a long (13ish hour) drive. We would have to stop at rest stops or elsewhere.
We are thinking we’ll take a week in September, watch the numbers between now and then, and head to Acadia/Bar Harbor on a last minute kind of vacation, IF a rental we like happens to be available. Are we crazy to think about doing this? Is Bar Harbor likely to be very crowded after Labor Day (we could go later in September, or even early October).
I know right now we’d have to get a COVID test before we go or quarantine for 14 days once we get there (not paying for a rental for 14 days to do nothing).
I need something to look forward to, so this is the thought of the day.
@Nhatrang I’m sure you’re loving all this advice we have for you on this travel thread 
but…have you considered ordering bed/bed in a box, a desk and other items from Amazon? Maybe find some 1st, 2nd and 3rd choices for each item and then time your order so you can select items that will be in stock and ship to match your dates of time you are there?
You mention being there for a few days - that would give you a little window of time to be there to receive deliveries and put things together? I’ll bet if you started a thread here of her main needs (and maybe her decor style of choice) I’ll bet people would chime in on beds or desks or shower curtains or whatever you need to purchase with recommendations!
@NJSue You might check into AirBnB options for the night, look for a host committed to doing the special cleaning “enhanced clean” where they are committing to higher standards and you could message back and forth with the host to see if they seem sincere. In a hotel you are at the mercy of each room cleaner and whether or not the uphold corporate rules.
This happened a few days ago ( I think I posted it previously). Air travel is a privilege, not a right. People need to follow the policy or stay home. www.travelpulse.com/news/airlines/delta-turns-flight-around-after-multiple-passengers-refuse-to-wear-masks.html
I have to google bed in a box b/c i had no idea what people were talking about lol. Very helpful advice from everyone, though. Give me a lot of think about, but at least now I know a lot more than before.
Ordering from Amazon or online makes sense, it’s just the timing, we won’t know exactly when it will arrive but I think with careful planning, it might just work. And we will be staying in the hotel, i don’t think we will live in her empty apartment waiting for the furniture to arrive. It’s a small apartment building, no front desk. Her roommate will be doing the same thing as us. But it’s time for us to check out online and making some decision. We were so naive thinking we will just take care of everything when we get there, ha!
That’s true but I’m hoping that if we stick to the Hiltons or Marriotts it will be okay. I wouldn’t stay in a Red Roof Inn right now. Maybe it’s me whistling past the graveyard on this.
We did stay at a Hampton Inn in Cambridge MA a couple of weeks ago (Hilton property) and they were very scrupulous. There is no housekeeping service (i.e. no one coming into your room besides you while you are there) and they keep rooms empty for a couple of days between guests after sanitizing. Masks and strict rules about elevators. No breakfast buffet obviously but they give you a bag breakfast with a bagel and a piece of fruit. MA is pretty good about this stuff and Rochester, MN will be too because of its medical/science culture (Mayo Clinic is the primary regional employer). That’s what I tell myself.
I look for hotels that have windows that open. And while I usually prefer indoor hallways, I now like doors that open to the outside. That way I can open the windows and the door as soon as I enter and air the room out. I’m thinking the virus is circulating in AC systems so I want the fresh air. It’s too bad that all the newer places have indoor hallways. On the trip to Yellowstone we found some nice remodeled older type motels that fit the bill.
Rather than get a bagel and apple in a paper bag I’d rather get $10 off my room and use that to buy something better for breakfast!!!
@1214mom - When we lived in the NE, Maine was a popular destination for Fall foliage trips. I’m not sure how Covid will impact things but I would think that the Fall could be a busy time.
Yes, fall is usually busy up here, but who knows? I’ve heard Bar Harbor isn’t bad this year. We’re going to head up there at some point.
I agree about windows - prefer to sleep with fresh air coming in - but chances are very slim that virus is circulating in the AC.
For many years we would head to Acadia on Labor Day and stay a week. Crowds were always quite manageable. This year I would expect it to be a bit less with the restrictions in place. We are going up Sept. 20th. If you can find something, go! It’s such a beautiful time up there.
https://thepointsguy.com/news/delta-masks-with-valves-exclusion/ Delta now not allowing masks with valves, per this article.
@Nhatrang for things like a desk, I would recommend looking at Facebook Marketplace - you can select the area you want to search and it will pull up listings for you. I did this when looking for furniture for my daughter’s apartment in San Diego. Since your daughter is moving to a college town, you will often see people selling things as they move out when leases expire. Also have your daughter check if there is a FB page where the university students sell their things. Obviously for a mattress, you want that new, but for things like bed frames, desks, desk chair, dresser or storage, often in college towns it can be easy to find already assembled, lightly used furniture.
To stay on topic, we are travelling next week to NY to drop off S19 at his college for mandatory two week quarantine. It is going to be a very long day - 5 hours each way. They are allowing us to drop all of his belongings for fall semester at his permanent campus housing, then we have to take him to the off campus dorm where the school is housing all the kids who need to quarantine from restricted states. A bit of a pain, because we have to separate what he needs to live for two weeks in quarantine from the rest of his stuff. On top of that, he’s living in a townhouse this year so needs all kinds of things he didn’t need last year. So basically two move-ins then another 5 hour drive home. Fortunately they are allowing both parents to help b/c it is going to be exhausting. Having two drivers on the way back will make it easier.
Those talking about Bar Harbor in the Fall, many places there shutter right after Columbus day weekend. Way fewer restaurants open, most of the accommodations are mom and pop type places. Place we have stayed at for 30+ years didn’t even open this season, and may not open next year, as owner is elderly and may just hang it up.
I’m not sure how I would feel about this. What is the plan in this quarantine housing for masks, meals, social distancing, …? Are these students being quarantined in singles? Of course, none of the in-state students will be infectious once they arrive 2 weeks later. (sarcasm)
@SnLMom each student is housed separately - there is a bedroom, bathroom and kitchenette. They will not be mingling with each other while in quarantine. They can bring their own food, order food for delivery or order something on a limited menu thru dining services. There will be staff present in the dorm. We had to schedule a drop off time and yes, everyone has to be masked when in the public areas during move-in, move out, etc.
“ They will not be mingling with each other while in quarantine.”
Unless they are locked in their rooms, they WILL be mingling. I have yet to see a group of young adults where compliance with any Covid mandate is 100%.
Just ran into this article about how to take a “safecation” - I only skimmed through since I’m not planning travel at present, but it seems to includes a lot of useful advice. One interesting idea was staying at bed and breakfasts, of course with careful research.
https://www.redbookmag.com/life/friends-family/g33427012/tips-socially-distant-road-trip/