What are we up to? Quarantining and Mindful Domestic Travel During Covid
Skiing at Snoqualmie Pass
How are y’all feeling? Are you finding things that no longer serve you? Are you finding the things that bring you happiness? Are you just existing? Are you being mindful of yourself and others?
Exhausted, high-functioning exhaustion. I am exhausted. I think that’s how everyone feels right now. Ironically, I’m not nearly as booked as I was pre-Covid, so how could I be tired? As an American, it’s strange to realize we can’t travel freely out of our country and are restricted domestically, as well.That thought alone is exhausting. I found myself fighting my exhaustion and realizing: I need a vacation or adventure. Such a weird realization in the middle of a pandemic. Especially, when you should stay away from people. How in the world do you avoid people when you travel?
Dan and I had already planned to explore our state, Washington, this summer. Ironically, almost everything in Washington is an experiment in social distancing. Some adventures we accomplished: skiing in Snoqualmie pass, checking out Washington wine country in Walla Walla and Woodinville, Riding the Rails @ Vance Creek on the Olympic Peninsula, and hiking Diablo Lake. Washington summers are truly amazing and reminded us of how much we love this state and Seattle.
Recently, I flew alone to a wedding in Greenville, SC, I was very impressed with how my flying experience was. Connections were made through ATL and GSP. Both airports were doing a phenomenal job at keeping things safe and clean. The PPE vending machines were fascinating. I often had a whole row to myself on my flights and delta had masks, hand sanitizer wipes and snack baggies for their passengers. I felt safe the whole time.
This brief trip reminded me of everything I missed with traveling, flying, new places, new experiences, and just being at peace. Adventures are my happy place and after I returned I knew I had to leave again. In all honesty, I go on an “adventure” every 3 weeks. Obviously, in quarantine, that’s not happening. I remembered everything that we cancelled. New York, Oktoberfest in Munich, trips to see family in North Carolina. Huge disappointments but necessary to keep everyone safe, including ourselves.
Seattle has effectively been “shut down” since March. Most restaurants are open but with boards(painted by local muralists) over the windows. For the most part, everyone is following the guidance and are mindful of others.
I keep coming back to that word, mindful. When I traveled to South Carolina, I asked myself how I could be mindful of others. I noticed whether others were reciprocating that mindfulness. That’s when I decided, I feel safe to travel, conditionally. My conditions are limiting myself to certain activities, experiences, lodgings, airlines, and car rental companies. I knew travelling could be safe as long as I’m mindful. I’m directly responsible for myself and the well-being of those around me.
How do you travel and avoid others? I feel like every traveler has come to this question in the last 6 months. Almost, every American has landed on visiting the National Parks. The US has over 50 National Parks, we might as well experience our own backyard! Over the past 2 weeks, we’ve planned a massive 15-day road trip. We couldn’t go to Europe, but that’s not an excuse not to take the time and hike through some amazing places. These are a lot of firsts for us: camping, traveling with friends for a prolonged period of time, sleeping on the ground, travelling 2000 miles by car in one trip, going without a shower for several days……. Clearly, we are concerned about the camping.
Just to keep y’all in the loop: we’ll be heading out in a few days to go to Rocky Mountain National Park, Grand Teton, Yellowstone, Dinosaur National Monument, the Big 5 and of course the Grand Canyon.
See ya in Denver!
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