Coronavirus Alaska versus California

Recently, I travelled to Alaska and had an amazing time. However, prior to visiting I had heard many rumors about how red-state-last-frontier Alaska was dealing with the coronavirus differently than blue-state hyper-sensitive California.

In California people have to wear masks to go into stores, restaurants, or to go on fishing boats. Many Californians still wear masks when walking outside and occasionally will still cross the street rather than walking by some one. Less so now since the mask mandate has been lifted, but it still happens. Los Angeles still has an announcement at the airport that when visiting the city you are subject to a 14-day voluntary quarantine.

In Alaska, I was concerned about the need to get a covid test with negative results before visiting. Fortunately, that rule was changed a few weeks before I arrived and vaccinated travelers did not need to be tested. Not only that, a test was only voluntary now. I am not sure who would take a voluntary test at the airport if they didn't have to, but the testing station was still there. I heard rumors that masks weren't need in freedom-loving Alaska. That was not true. At my hotel, everyone wore a mask. At breakfast the next morning in downtown Anchorage, the hostess handed me a mask as soon I stepped through the door. On the trolley tour and glacier cruise, masks were also required. Although walking down the street, no one wore masks. So in many ways, except for the Alaska testing and Los Angeles quarantine, I saw no difference between California and Alaska covid restrictions. However, I did feel a difference. People in Alaska did not seem as concerned. Restaurants were full and once we boarded the tour or cruise, masks came off to drink water and eat and never really went back on and no one seemed to mind.

It would have been more interesting to compare the two states two months ago when the vaccine was just being rolled out and Los Angeles was still in virtual lockdown.

Someone I spoke to from Eastern Washington said his town (except for the schools) had been operating all year as if there was no such thing as the coronavirus. Restaurants were open, no one wore masks, and no one got sick.

The strictest place I have found regarding masks during my trip was on board airplanes.

However, even on the planes I was surprised by how lenient the crews were with masks. I think it is the whole eating/drinking loophole that creates the gray area. I had brought a burger at the airport that I took on the first plane. I pulled my mask down, hunkered down between seats not to be seen taking a bite, and then pulled up my mask to chew. Fortunately, it was a disposable mask because it soon smelled like hamburger and I had to swap it out when I was done.

However, once the drink and snack cart rolled around, people's masks came down to eat and drink. I no longer had to hid in shame to eat. What a relief! That is not to say that people were not wearing masks. Everyone had them. As we neared the end of one flight, I went to the restroom and saw everyone with a mask up. And before take off, I heard flight attendants asking a couple of people to pull their masks over their nose. No fuss. People did what they were supposed to do and the flights went smoothly.

All in all, while Alaska felt more relaxed regarding measures to prevent coronavirus' spread, visibly and at least on the books, I didn't see much of a difference between the two states.

That is the great thing about travel, you see that we aren't really different after all.

Take care and be safe.

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 - Blanket Ban Lifted on International Travel

I came across a crazy story last week that the U.S. State Department lifted its blanket international travel ban for Americans to travel abroad. (see below)

I thought that was really odd as I am hearing about rising coronavirus numbers in India and Brazil and new outbreaks in European countries. New Zealand just reported its first coronavirus case in over 4 months.

 

So I read deeper and learned that the ban that was lifted was the level 4 warning that the State Department applied to all countries back in March. A level 4 warning prevents Americans from recreational travel to the specified country or in this case all countries. Now the State Department has set the warning level based each country's specific situation. This is the way it was before the coronavirus pandemic. For example, now Mexico and Brazil are still ranked at level 4, but most European countries have a level 3 ban and some Asian countries are ranked level 1.

 

The positive is that people can begin to dream of international travel again. Having dreams and hopes has been proven to be an endorphin booster - make a person feel good.

 

However, just because our rankings have changed, that doesn't mean foreign countries will allow Americans in yet. Spain has not lifted its restrictions on prohibiting recreational travelers from the U.S. even though the State Department gives them a level 3 ranking.

 

The negative is that for Americans who want to travel abroad the situation has become more complicated.

 

When we were told we couldn't go anywhere, we removed the idea of international travel from our mind and started planning the great American road trips.

 

When a situation is unclear, we spend countless hours and time researching or worrying about whether or not we can really book that international trip.

 

Still, the State Department decision shows that the world is trying to return to normal. Hopefully, we can all return to normal sooner rather than later.

 

Take care and be safe.

 

Posts Tuesday and Saturday

https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2020/08/07/state-dept-lifted-its-blanket-international-travel-advisory-what-does-that-mean-americans/

Travel During the Great Coronavirus Reopening

Cities, states, and even countries are reopening to tourists. Not all, but many. 

On June 15, most European countries opened their borders to residents of its member countries. Spain waited until June 21. And on July 1, the Europeans will tentatively open their borders to international tourist for the first time in four months.

There are stipulations like a country's infection rates have to be held in check before they allow tourists from that country. Unfortuantely, the U.S. does not meet that criteria. Similarly, in the U.S. there are certain states and areas that are blocking residents of other states from visiting. Key West authorities arrested a woman and sent her back to mainland Florida for trying to visit. New Mexico said they love tourist, just not right now.

And cruise lines? Oh, the poor cruise lines. Spain has said no cruise ships can dock in any Spanish port for the foreseeable future. Norwegian cruise lines said all cruises are suspended at least through September. That is the entire summer season. Although they are making exceptions for the Pacific Northwest. And a week ago, the first Danube-Rhine river cruise made it without mishap.

https://www.cruisetradenews.com/first-european-river-cruise-resumes-sailings-post-coronavirus-recovery/

However, Greece welcomed one of its first international flights a couple of weeks ago from Qatar and 12 people on board tested positive for Coronavirus.

We are not out of the woods yet.

Last week, I cancelled my family's 3-week Spain trip that was to depart July 8. I poured over news reports daily grasping for an inkling of hope regarding Europe's reopening. But with a potential quarantine for travelers, U.S. infection rates increasing, the need for reciprocal travel arrangements (the U.S. is still blocking travel from Europe), and constant flight changes to a point where I would have to literally time travel backwards three hours to make a connection, I figured it was time to call it.

Fortunately, I was able to cancel everything and get full refunds except one hostel in Spain. Somehow I overlooked that property's no cancellation policy. If that is all it costs me, I am ok with that. 

Now to make new plans. Isn't that half the fun?

Take care.

Posts Tuesday and Saturday

Coronavirus QR Coded Beaches

Europe, and Spain specifically, are churning out interesting travel rules everyday as they try to figure out how to restart the tourism industry. Tourism accounts for 10 - 30 percent of some countries' GDP. According to The Guardian, it accounts for 12.3% of Spain's GDP.

Some of the more interesting Spanish travel rules include:

• Popular beaches in Spain will be mapped into 6-foot-square grid pattern which visitors will have to reserve ahead of time using QR codes
• 14-day quarantines for international travelers
• Buffets banned
• Temperature controls at hotel entrances
• The Canary Islands requiring tourists to carry a digital health passport

Wow. Everyday brings out new travel news.

The outlook for my July trip to Spain continues to dim.

A month ago recreational travel between the US and Mexico was banned until May 20. Then two weeks ago, Mexico closed all non-essential businesses in Baja California until May 31st.

Two days ago, Delta airlines cancelled my June 4 trip to Cabo, although they have not cancelled my return flight.

When I called Delta, the recording said the wait time to speak to a representative was four-and-a-half hours. I decided not to wait. It's not like I was in a hurry to book the voucher or credit as there was nowhere I could fly. I wanted to ask where I could find the credit or voucher online for my cancelled flight as it had yet to appear in my SkyMiles account.

I see photos of people on full flights, but I wonder where these people are going? Hotels, museums, campgrounds, and national parks are closed.

My buddy is hoping to reschedule the Cabo trip for the end of August or September. Will travel restrictions be removed by then?

Los Angeles just announced that the ban on all non-essential workers has been extended to the end of July, but beaches and hiking trails have opened.

Is this a sign campgrounds will open this summer or remain closed.

Currently, you can run, walk and swim at a Southern California beach, you just can't sit on one.

Perhaps we will go the QR code route.

Crazy travel times indeed.

How have your travel plans changed because of the coronavirus?

Take care and be safe.

Posts Tuesdays and Saturdays

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

Coronavirus When Can We Travel?

"Americans may be able to take summer vacations, Fauci says," according to CNN 4/9/20.

 

This headline brought a smile to my face when I looked at my phone this morning.

 

Apart from being safe at home, one of my big concerns about the coronavirus is if I will have to or even be able to cancel a trip I have booked this summer. And the most important question, "Will it be safe?"

 

The trip is to complete the Camino de Santiago. Unfortunately, that destination is in Spain, one of the most adversely affected coronavirus hotspots in the world.

 

I have been reading Spain news daily everyday to see how the country's coronavirus rates have changed. Today, Fox News said Spain could be seeing the start of a coronavirus decline. That's good news.

 

Especially since, as of today, airlines are only allowing you to cancel or change your flights without a fee for trips that commence before May 31, 2020. 

 

What happens if travel bans are lifted at the end of May? Would you feel safe enough to travel in June?

 

What if you can only cancel with a fee?

 

Perhaps there may be more travel restrictions put in place as Dr. Fauci suggests: taking temperature readings at airports, wearing masks on planes, continued social distancing, and no handshaking.

 

As of today, if travel bans are lifted I am going. I will mind any restrictions and recommendations by government and travel agencies.

 

I feel that you have to maintain your goals for as long as you can. It gives you something to strive for, a sense of purpose during these murky days. To prepare for the Camino de Santiago, I workout daily in my living room thanks to all the free online content - thanks Barry's and Nike Training Club! I also walk daily practicing social distancing and wearing a mask.

 

I hope that Dr. Fauci's hopeful words come to pass and that we can all take vacations this summer safely.

 

Take care and be safe.

 

Posts: Monday, Thursday, and Saturday

My First Novel Published!

I published my first ebook for sale on Amazon.com!

Yellowstone and Mt. Rushmore: A Three-Week Road Trip

Part guide book, part travelogue, "Yellowstone and Mt. Rushmore: A Three-Week Road Trip" details my family's journey from Los Angeles to some of the West's most iconic destinations while discovering a multitude of lesser-known treasures in between.

I hope this book inspires you to take your own road trip and helps make your trip the best it can be.

Click the link below to view and purchase on the Amazon.com:

Yellowstone and Mt. Rushmore: A Three-Week Road Trip

Click the link below to view my new author page:

amazon.com/author/johnpeters

Enjoy!