Travel during COVID- Are You Crazy!
Someone recently asked me where I was traveling next. For someone like me, whose life and sanity is dependent on my next destination, it gave me pause. This was the first time in many years that the next trip was not already booked, the following one in research phase, and the third is budget prep. (Yes, that is how I plan my family vacations. It is a three-year planning process that makes me extremely happy! Don’t judge!)
The pause I took is due to the new order of the world. Everyone is holding their breath waiting for all this to be over so we can go back to normal. I think I am just going to exhale and accept this as the current normal. I will not force my children into this forever by saying new normal- but current normal is a good compromise. If this is to be considered any type of normal, then I should have a three year plan. And so should you! I am going to go through my thought process on picking my destinations in hope to inspire other families to try to embrace the current normal in order to return to actual normal.
First issue is can we actually go anywhere. The answer is yes. The Americas are open to travel between and through with some limitations. Some states have quarantine periods if you come from other states, while others just require a negative test result. Some states just require you follow local laws, like distancing, capacity in public spaces, and masks. Air traffic is flying with masks in the airports. If you are unsure about the travel requirements, just use a travel agent. They know all the rules are free for you to use! Anywhere outside of the US will require negative results to leave and come back. Many resorts and tourists’ areas that have been devastated by the lack of visitors are offering free onsite testing to allow you to come back. Overseas travel is possible with many more limitations and should be handled with the help of a travel professional on a case by case basis.
So, we can go, but how much extra effort will that entail? I have three children, four if you count my husband which I totally do when traveling. ANY extra effort is too much. I also do not want to where masks the entire vacation. They are uncomfortable and to be frank, ruin pictures. There are some destinations that I will where a mask for, but my husband said no. So obviously we have to vacation outdoors. This way if the activities are outdoors, then it is no different than being at home wearing a mask. The good news is that we have many long weekends.
Normally we are working around busy work and school schedules, but not now! Now we can work and school from anywhere! If we plan it just right, all work and school can be done by a Wed leaving a four-day weekend at any point in time. Frankly that is a pandemic perk I am going to exploit. With this arrangement and incredibly low-priced hotel rooms- I may even plan a few mini vacations! Especially since I do not want to have to fly right now and wear a mask for 6 plus hours of travel time. Our drivetime limits are usually 8-9 hours. There is a lot we can do and now I can’t believe I have waited this long!
Now that the limitations for our trips are in place- time to come up with ideas! I am shooting for something in Jan 2021 for our first trip back out there. We are in NC, so Jan in NC is chilly, but not too cold. I think it is the perfect time to finally take the boys skiing!
Skiing, I should have thought of that sooner. The slopes are open, the areas are outside and my kids have always wanted to go skiing. The drive for us is about 5-6 hours. It is amazing how many different ski resorts are within driving distance. From the western part of NC all the way up to Vermont, ski resorts can be found. Colorado, Montana, and Utah also have plenty of places to ski. Rent your equipment at the bottom of the mountain. Most resorts allow you to purchase a lift ticket online or at least have an outdoor ticket booth. If you get your gear at a local shop instead of on the mountain, you can do it with a lot less people around. These locations will have all the items you need to rent, you can do it the day before giving you more time on the slopes, and they are usually less money.
Our trip was to Boone, NC we went to Sugar Mountain and Appalachian Ski Resort. We ended up doing three nights and got three full days on the slopes. The fresh air and activity made us all feel normal again. Please comment below if you have gotten back out on the road. Did it help you return to a little bit of normal? On to trip two…I think a hiking trip would be good for Spring!