And how to get around safely during COVID-19
Once I put on my big-girl panties and got over all of our canceled trips, I realized that there are still a lot of amazing things to experience – even under Corona restrictions.
So, let’s talk about how to make the most of this weird time we’re in – especially since we really have no idea how long it may last.
Safety
We need to start here.
For those of you who don’t see the need for masks or social distancing:
Great! You’re going to be so much more relaxed taking on new adventures in a new way. I know nothing about the efficacy of masks, but I do know a little bit about people and fear. Please be respectful of the people around you and adhere to the guidelines that have been put in place – so that everyone can have the best time possible.
For those of you afraid to leave the house because of Corona:
There are actually plenty of ways and places to explore without encountering other humans – which makes the risk really low.
Know before you go
How far you’re comfortable traveling is partly up to you. I mean, no one outside of my country wants me, so the line is drawn domestically. We decided not to travel by air not only because of risk factors, but because of comfort levels. That doesn’t mean flights are off the table for everyone – and they’re insanely cheap right now. Driving will definitely cut back on your amount of human contact. Know what you feel comfortable with. Vacation won’t be relaxing if you’re worrying about getting sick the whole time!
Check out a map of open states so you know what’s even an option. “Open” means different things in different states. So, after you have an idea in your head, check out that state’s .gov website for the details of not only what is open, but what is expected of you when you visit.
All of the following are for those of you who are opting to stay in your own state or county, and for those of you ready for a bigger jaunt.
National Parks
A perk of parks over beaches is that most now require reservations, and/or they cap entrance. You’ll have plenty of wide open spaces and only a percentage of the crowds. The downside is many of the parks have a handful of “best” viewing points. Those can still be crowded. As long as you’re patient, you’ll still be able to social distance, but you’re going to need your mask.
Green Space
Pull up google maps and zoom out from your location. All those green spaces are great places to visit. The dark greens are state parks and national parks or forests, but all of the green is good. Green means no civilization and lots of nature. Green means go.
We started our summer with parks, but the rest of the nation seems to be catching on to that trend. Recently, we just hit the green space. We’ve found plenty of trails and creeks and places to explore and have encountered almost no people. We stick with mostly rail-trails for accessibility, and they’re wide enough that there’s space to social distance if we do cross someone. Our most recent trip was to Slate Run, PA. It was incredibly beautiful and we had zero safety concerns.
Tan Space
The outdoors are an obvious choice. For that reason, some beaches are no longer a great option.
In general, you can spread out at a beach. Even pre-virus, a beach trip consisted of your own family on your own blanket most of the time. The key is to focus more on the beach time, and less on the boardwalk activities… or night life. If you’re anxious, check out a less crowded beach like a state park or National Seashore. Many of these are limiting admission. Don’t forget to book a reservation if you opt for a limited entrance beach!
Plan your beach trip based on accessibility here.
Blue Space
Not all water is at the beach! Smaller blue patches can offer cleaner water and fewer crowds. We loved exploring Presque Isle – a lake beach – and the Finger Lakes of New York. None of the lakes or creeks we have visited had crowds and all of them were refreshing. Boat rentals and things like that may be off for this year, but there’s plenty of fun to be had by the water without any of the usual toys.
New Ways to Stay
I can help you find plenty of open spaces, but if they’re not a day trip from home, you’ll need a place to stay. Some people are more comfortable with airbnbs than hotels because there’s less traffic coming through. Camping is also a big hit this year. We opted for van camping for both ease and safety. You can park overnight for free in national forests – which are great green spaces!
Staycation
If all of this still feels like too much, or if you can’t get to anything other than your house, a staycation can also be a great option. I know it sounds like you’re giving up a real vacation, but if you really kick into vacation mode you can have just as much fun and create just as many lasting memories. Shut off your phones, stay up late, camp out back, etc., etc.. You’ll be surprised at how much fun you can have, and how refreshed you can feel, without going anywhere. Here are some tips for making the most of a staycation.
If you need help nailing down a specific location to visit, feel free to touch base through email or Instagram! I’m happy to share some of our great finds for COVID travel!
