As the leaves have begun to show signs that fall and cooler weather have arrived, it is time for us to start our migration south. During normal years I would be excited about the trip planning to our winter destination but this year, with Covid-19 so prevalent, I am not so excited to plan this journey.
Why is that? Well for starters we are on the east coast and when we are on the east coast we like to explore the small towns and larger cities to enjoy what they have to offer. Out west we focus on hiking due to the abundance of public lands available to discover nature’s beauty and solitude. We also like to visit local breweries everywhere we go to taste different craft beers and support local businesses while visiting.
With Covid-19 still holding the USA in its clutches these type of visits simply won’t happen for us. With me having a science background and education we take Covid-19 very seriously and do our best to avoid any situation in which we don’t feel as though we can be safe in. While we will still visit an occasional brewery they must have ample outdoor seating as we will not visit one with only indoor seating. Yes, we are very cautious.
With that in mind as we plan our travels south we will drive slightly longer distances and stay at places for shorter periods. Where we normally like to travel 100 to 150 miles we will stretch that to a couple hundred miles at a time between stops. Likewise we normally like to spend no less than 3 nights at any given location but now will often only spend 2 nights.We will stay longer at places which offer what we feel are safe activities during this pandemic. Oh, how glad we will be when this is all behind us.
Our first stop was one we have been to many times before as it is a nice distance away from Raleigh NC and easy to get into and out of. Bass Lake RV, a Passport America park, is under new ownership and now only takes Passport America for one night but we were able to use our Good Sam’s discount for the second night.
All we did while during our stay was to walk around the nearby lake, catch up on our laundry and watch some college football. Yes our team the Texas A&M Aggies took one on the chin from Alabama but it was to be expected. We are still avoiding laundromats by using our portable ZENY Portable Mini Twin Tub Washing Machine. We bought this back in March when the pandemic chased us out of laundromats and it has not only kept us safer but has pretty much paid for itself by now.
NOTE: Our next stop for us will be Colleton State Park in South Carolina for three nights.
If you were traveling I-65 through Alabama we offer one of our RV sites on our property. Full 50/30 amp hook up. We are out in the country about 10 miles from Cullman, AL at X308. Always glad to have folks park there for a day or so when traveling through. No charge so even better than PA or GS. We like seeing that sites being used since we can no longer RV.
ReplyDeleteWow, how kind and generous of you. We won't be heading that way this time but will keep that in mind. Thanks!
DeleteLeaves in the lake, a fun way to share the fall colors.
ReplyDeleteContinued safe travels
Yes I love the early signs of fall and that is where to best find them...
DeleteSafe travels.
ReplyDeleteThanks are you two heading south this winter?
DeleteIt is very dificuly traveling this year. I am Canadian and the border remains closed so the US option has been removed but even if it wasn't, the COVID thing would keep me in Canada for another chilly winter. The cost of travel medical insurance may become another determining factor for me in the future. The US may well be permanently off the agenda for future travels for this senior with a couple of pre-existing conditions which don't affect my day to day life but are on record and must be declared. I too have a technical/science background and look at these things a lot differently than most. Take care and find some safe places to stop.
ReplyDeleteCheers Croft and here is hoping that we cross paths some day...
DeleteI totally agree with your caution. Are you "winging it" as in no reservations this year and just a night or two where you can pick it up?
ReplyDeleteI'm going back to the state parks in Florida even though they have foolishly in my opinion opened the state wide up. I hope that won't backfire and they will close the parks mid winter. I won't be doing any indoor activities either but kayaking, hiking and biking (if I can ever find a new bike) work for me. Glad to hear you are happy with your washing solution. I'm going to look into it though usually the state park washers and dryers are outside under a porch. How big a load do you do and how do you dry? I assume it drains into your gray tank? Will it do a pair of jeans?
No winging it as we are reserved all the way to the keys and the end of October for now. The washer is great, we do a load about every 5-6 days with sheets in one and towels in the next so it works for us. The spin cycle is very efficient and gets a heck of a lot of the water out and then we have a rack we put on our ladder in the back of the RV to dry. We set ours up in the shower and it drains into the grey tank.
DeleteWe too take Covid seriously. There's only two indoor restaurants we go too, and only in mid afternoon. We hate shopping these days and are thankful for the use of my parents laundry. We have our trip to Dallas planned, all but one stop are COE parks, with only one visit with friends who also take the pandemic seriously.
ReplyDelete