Coronavirus Escape

Camping last weekend reaffirmed my belief that life is still awesome during the coronavirus epidemic.

During the weekend we hiked, kayaked, took silly pictures, built cairns and campfires, told stories, and had great meals in the beautiful outdoors. 

The only time I was concerned was when we sat down with our dinner at the outdoor patio of a restaurant and the table had not been wiped down. My wife put some sanitizer on the table and we wiped it down ourselves. Better safe than sorry. 

People wore masks when they were around others. The cafes, stores, and kayak rental shop enforced wearing them. People in the campground wore them when they were close to others i.e. at the bathroom.

We had an amazing time. One of the best things was the lack of a tv so there was no news about politics, protests, or coronavirus. 

So enjoy yourselves, just apply the 3 basic rules: use a mask, social distance, and wash your hands. 

Posts Tuesdays

Coronavirus Border Changes, What To Do?

One day the news is filled with people advocating for the removal of restrictions on the economy and the next day it is filled with advocates wanting more restrictions on people's movements.

Madrid, Spain

Mexico, Canada, and the United States agreed to extend their border closure to nonessential travel through May 20, 2020.

Spain canceled its running of the bulls celebration this summer and Germany canceled Oktoberfest in Munich.

Royal Caribbean Cruises said that their moratorium on sailings has been extended to June 11,2020.

Trump put a 60-day stop on immigration into the United States.

People in Hawaii are asking mainlanders not to visit.

Segovia, Spain

This takes me back to an earlier post asking when can we travel again. While countries throughout the world are debating loosening economic restrictions including domestic travel, it appears that international travel will be locked down for the foreseeable future.

European leaders are calling for a summit to discuss the travel industry as it relates to coronavirus issues in September or October. If they're not going to be ready to discuss international travel issues until that time, I cannot imagine non-essential travel to Europe being allowed prior to that date.

I have yet to cancel my July trip to Spain in the hope of a miraculous turnaround, but know that the likelihood of my planning, mileage award accumulations, and bookings will have to be undone.

Puerto Nuevo, Mexico

Looking south of the border, Mexico's coronavirus cases are soaring. Allowing people from the country with the most cases in the world, the U.S., to travel to their country any time soon also seems highly unlikely. There goes my June Cabo trip.

Will campgrounds in the U.S. reopen this summer? Plenty of physical distance there. Usually, you are only close to people in the restrooms or the grocery stores. Not much different from restrictions we are living under now.

Today, I made a reservation for a Mammoth campground as a backup trip. A gamble I know, but we can't be locked down in our homes through July, can we?

Take care and be safe.

Posts Tuesday and Saturday