When will you feel good about travel again

[Cornell]

May I ask where you went? Would love to go somewhere where we would not HAVE to wear a mask in a restaurant! It is summer and I can barely breathe with a mask on. Sure hope next year is better. Thanks for your post.

South Dakota - near Badlands and Black Hills.

 

[Karen G]

My daughter is looking at U of AZ and we are doing a college visit there this Sept (at least that's the plan for now!). I will be anxious to poke around Tempe. Being in a college town would be wonderful.

The University of Arizona is in Tucson, but Arizona State is in Tempe. Is she going to check out both schools? Our son went to ASU in Tempe for one year and it was always fun
to go visit him there.

 

[Cornell]

The University of Arizona is in Tucson, but Arizona State is in Tempe. Is she going to check out both schools? Our son went to ASU in Tempe for one year and it was always fun
to go visit him there.

Yes - I got my brain mixed up in my message. (have a lot on my mind these days). Yes, we are looking at both schools when we are there....given that they are open for campus visits. I have been to Tempe but never Tucson. Hoping as well to visit some TX schools as well. It's going to be interesting to see where she winds up.

 

[mas]

I have three international trips scheduled in the next 10 months. My first trip is Nepal/Bhutan in Oct. 2020. I seriously doubt that will happen--expecting OAT (the travel outfit - Overseas Adventure Travel) to cancel/postpone/rebook sometime in August. I feel better about my second trip in January 2021 to Egypt-that will obviously depend on what's happening with the government in Egypt in Jan. and rate of infection at that time. Currently the state department lists Egypt with a level 2 travel alert which means a slightly elevated risk. I won't worry about Morocco in March until we get through with Egypt...the best laid plans, what a pain.

 

[Luanne]

Yes - I got my brain mixed up in my message. (have a lot on my mind these days). Yes, we are looking at both schools when we are there....given that they are open for campus visits. I have been to Tempe but never Tucson. Hoping as well to visit some TX schools as well. It's going to be interesting to see where she winds up.

My younger dd and I had some great trips when she was looking at colleges. She wanted to stay on the west coast so we looked in Portland at Reed and Lewis & Clark (her number one pick), and Tacoma at University of Puget Sound. Then we went to southern California (separate trip) to see Occidental. Occidental is where my mother went for a couple of year (also Barack Obama went there). It's a gorgeous little campus, but she didn't really care for where it was set. I grew up almost over the hills from there, so for me it was too close to home. We also toured The Evergreen State College. Older dd ended up transferring there after community college and loved it. Anyway, younger dd ended up at Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, FL. She was accepted at University of Puget Sound and Lewis & Clark, but neither school could provide her with enough financial incentive to attend. Eckerd could. She basically went there on a short break from school, by herself, and gave them a check. At least she was able to do her Master's on the west coast, in Vancouver, B.C.

 

[tomt73]

"Just curious of how other TUG members are coping and planning future vacations."

Well, we were forced to cancel a couple of weeks this June when a car club convention we were planning to attend was canceled. However, we are booked for most of two weeks at National Harbor in Washington and another resort in Ocean City, Maryland this coming October/early November. We'll also use our two 2020 Christmas-season weeks in Lake Placid, NY, my home town. We'll definitely use our winter 2021 weeks in Santa Fe, NM, and add one or two others if the ski resorts open up.

 

[bbodb1]

Q: When will you feel good about travel again ?

Between the pandemic, protests and violence here in the United States, it will be a very
long time before we will feel safe again to take a timeshare vacation or travel long distance...

Where are we going? We`re staying at home.
Because that`s the best thing to do right now.

I am ready to local travel now because I figure that we will put gas in the car at home and bring our food with us. We could do a week without seeing anyone. Our primary activity is usually hiking. I hate shopping with a passion, and crowds too. We rarely, if ever, use a resort pool because we have a pool in our back yard so there's no novelty there. Obviously we don't use a gym when we travel as hiking is enough exercise for us. We are scheduled to go to the local mountains for a week this month. The resort assures me that they are open which surprises me, but we're going if they are open. We have zero intention of interacting with anyone on that trip.

These posts both touch on something I've been feeling since all this started back in late February / early March. Feeling good about travel has so many components and there are many we seldom recognize or acknowledge. One aspect of this is a reasonable confidence that all will be well while you're gone. With technology today, it is easier than ever to keep an eye on things remotely, yet I don't know that even that level of monitoring completely puts me at ease when we are on a trip. Like many folks I suspect, we try to have someone check on the house a time or two while we are gone as there just is not a substitute for someone being there. But there seems to be more in play emotionally these days about being away from home. That feeling won't stop me from this upcoming vacation, or enjoying it to the maximum amount possible, but it sure seems to be there more so than I can recall for a long, long time.

There is also the anticipation of the trip and for many folks, that is an essential and enjoyable part of the vacation experience as well. But even during a time we are getting closer to our next vacation (which is not guaranteed to occur, but -at present- is highly likely since this will be a driving vacation), my level of anticipation is not there. It is more of a sense of burden. No doubt, all of the addiitonal unknowns which we have to face with respect to travel is playing a significant role in this feeling but there is something in this environment, in this time that seems to be leeching the fun from this upcoming trip. I can't really put my finger on it. Perhaps @Miss Marty has neatly summarized the situation and my experiences and preferences are similar to those noted by @klpca as hiking will be the primary activity on this trip for us as well. Whatever the reasons for this feeling, the milieu of vacationing seems to have changed - at least for me.

@JanT 's post a bit earlier is definitely spot on in expressing these feelings!

 

[Snazzylass]

@geekette @WinniWoman Thank you for your thoughts , comments, opinions. They are very much appreciated.

So 3.5 years ago, I downsized from my big single family home into my 2 bedroom townhome that I share w/my daughter. I built it new & wow is it nice moving into a brand new home. It has been just perfect for us girls and I absolutely love it. We've had a wonderful few years here. I went through a massive purging of furniture / possessions, so at least that awful task has been done. I don't ever want to maintain a yard ever again. And I don't mind having close proximity neighbors (probably b/c I have great neighbors currently - hahahaha).

I mentally had a longer-term horizon for moving out of IL -- mainly being prompted by my hatred of winter (which got solidified from commuting on the train for 25 years downtown) and the huge tax burdens in IL , which never seem to stop growing. However, my desire to move has been accelerated in the past few months & I've decided to move up my timeline. The reasons are somewhat driven by politics -- but also -- the main draw of Illinois is Chicago & the violence in Chicago is so horrible that I just can't stomach it anymore. My siblings are all in the Midwest so I will miss regular visits with them.

I visit Phoenix quite a bit I love it there. Part of why I like it is there are so many ex-Chicagoans there that it feels like "home". There is Portillos , Lou Malnatis (all local Chicago institutions) there and I always meet former Chicagoans while visiting. Cubs spring training is there , too. I have a few friends that live there so there is a safety net of that.

I have a lot of thinking to do. One MAJOR hurdle is to see if my company will let me keep my job if I move. I don't know if I can stomach moving AND looking for a new job this late in my career.

I have been through so much in the past 10 years. One advantage of that is that my confidence has grown knowing I can handle and weather change.

Thank you again for your thoughts .

BTW, it's an absolutely gorgeous night in Chicago area. We are now allowed limited outdoor dining. Our suburban downtown has done a great job with blocking off streets so restaurants have more room to set up outdoor tables. I saw SO MANY PEOPLE smiling and laughing tonight . Good for the soul. Especially after the last week we have had. Sunday night I slept with a hammer in my bed & would not let my daughter out of the house. I hope that the worst of things are behind us.

Both the Cubbies AND the White Sox train here Definitely plenty of folks from IL, WI, MN here. It's an easy area to move into because nearly everyone is from somewhere else. I think that makes folks more welcoming.

 

[Snazzylass]

Hi Now that we are starting to see places opening and travel this summer is being offered in somewhat limited form. How do you feel about traveling? Personally, I don’t want to travel too far from home right now. We have moved our vacations to next year with exception of two weeks in the fall to drivable destinations in Florida.
We have been following CDC guidelines and mostly staying home.
Just curious of how other TUG members are coping and planning future vacations.
Silentg

I am eager to move about and I have a bit already. Part of me thinks I am jumping the gun, especially when I learned that the Indiana State Fair (which I was considering going back for) has been cancelled, and the pool at my T/S in Sedona is not yet opened.
And, when I do get out, most people are still being super careful. Worse, I have no desire to poke my head in and out of shops. I so separately want to do anything I can to help small business owners and the economy.

 

[avad88]

We are in our timeshare now in the Outer Banks of N.C. We are retired, come here for 2 weeks each year and can drive, so it was a no brainer. Our kids and grandkids usually join us for one of the weeks but their jobs wouldn’t let them travel. The resort is less than 1/2 full. It opened Memorial Day.
The resort was very clean and the 2 pools are open with a capacity of 26. We haven’t gone in them but families and kids are there. There are no formal activities, but the putt putt course, tennis courts, etc are open. The beaches here are wide and open with lots of large groups social distancing.
We brought most of our food but went to the grocery store and Dollar Tree where signs on the door said “masks are encouraged”. We wore ours but at least 1/2 the people didn’t wear them. We are by ourselves like we are at home, so the change of scenery is nice. We love the beach and can almost forget about Covid while we are here.
We usually go to the mountains in July but I haven’t booked it this year. We have a timeshare booked for October in South FL and hope we can go. We usually cruise to Europe in the fall but not this year—I am looking at 2021 because I believe there will be a vaccine then.

 

[clifffaith]

@geekette - They stored the remotes in plastic bags so I'm guessing once cleaned we are the only ones to touch them - I don't know when the last time was I've seen a TV remote so clean!

Several years ago our trip to Boston had us staying at the Sheraton Back Bay. Their remotes had "enclosed buttons" rather than buttons with nooks and crannies around them like regular remotes. I am not particularly germ phobic, but I thought at the time that all hotel/timeshare remotes should be that way -- a quick wipe down on what was basically a solid surface would hopefully really take care of the previous occupants' germs.

 

[Cornell]

Both the Cubbies AND the White Sox train here Definitely plenty of folks from IL, WI, MN here. It's an easy area to move into because nearly everyone is from somewhere else. I think that makes folks more welcoming.

I appreciate the comment. Yes, whenever I visit AZ I feel like I'm surrounded by people from "home" so that makes it attractive to me. You have echoed what my gut feelings are. I have lots of thinking and exploring to do.

 

[Luanne]

Both the Cubbies AND the White Sox train here Definitely plenty of folks from IL, WI, MN here. It's an easy area to move into because nearly everyone is from somewhere else. I think that makes folks more welcoming.

Santa Fe is like that as well. There is a group from the Chicago area, a lot from Texas (many of them are part timers) and then those of us from California. Of course there are people from other places as well. I stuck my foot in my mouth at one of our first neighborhood gatherings when I said "Well no one is from Santa Fe" (something my realtor told me) and found that both my host and hostess were.

We have found it easier to meet people because there are so many in the same position as we were. Moving to a brand new place, not knowing anyone, and being open to meeting people.

 

[chunkygal]

Asap!
Have credit from Viking for cruise we were supposed to do May after husband back from 3 years overseas in military. Cant wait to rebook. Booked wdw timeshare already, looking to book marriott ....asap

 

[geekette]

I compare it like this. Humidity is like being in a steam room, dry heat is like being in an oven.

Yes. Sauna vs steam room.

Humidity has an oppressive nature about it. I wilt faster in humidity than in dry heat. Humidity adds that layer of sticky that you can't outrun.

 

[Luanne]

Yes. Sauna vs steam room.

Humidity has an oppressive nature about it. I wilt faster in humidity than in dry heat. Humidity adds that layer of sticky that you can't outrun.

I have never lived where there was humidity so I do not do well in it at all. We moved our younger dd into her dorm in St. Petersburg, FL during the summer. No elevator. After each load up to her dorm room we'd just kind of collapse on the bed, soak in the a/c, and then go for another load. There are even trips we've made to Hawaii where the humidity has gotten to me.

 

[Talent312]

I will feel good about travel when Holland America coughs up our refund.
They are the last travel merchant to fork over a refund or credit for no-go's.

If that happens (not sayinhg when), then I'll feel good about:
... driving to Marco Island in August and Gatlinburg in October,
... flying to Salt Lake City in December.

 

[geekette]

I so separately want to do anything I can to help small business owners and the economy.

I am hoping for street fairs and festivals. But, yeah, what hasn't already been cancelled remains Iffy.

I would like to overpay at food trucks for unhealthy food, browse the wares of the artisans, buy Something. Maybe several somethings. Outdoors on a pleasant evening with live music would be wonderful.

I would very much enjoy day trips to little towns having whatever hoo hah. I am not picky.

 

[geekette]

I have never lived where there was humidity so I do not do well in it at all. We moved our younger dd into her dorm in St. Petersburg, FL during the summer. No elevator. After each load up to her dorm room we'd just kind of collapse on the bed, soak in the a/c, and then go for another load. There are even trips we've made to Hawaii where the humidity has gotten to me.

ugh, reminds me of moving my sister in Houston. Collapse is correct. It seems like much more hydration necessary. I have no idea if the human body sweats differently in humid vs not.

We are getting weird weather so far this season, I am acclimating. Also known as pacing myself. I have hit Wilt at least 3 times today, but got so much done early morning that it has been a productive day, even with very long rest breaks.

I am not yet to the point where I could leave the house for a couple weeks, the grow season has granted me jungle conditions that I have not yet sufficiently tamed. As I attend to different sections of the yard, I could consider those different staycations...

 

[Luanne]

ugh, reminds me of moving my sister in Houston. Collapse is correct. It seems like much more hydration necessary. I have no idea if the human body sweats differently in humid vs not.

Completely different experience when I took my older dd to her dorm at The Evergreen State College in Olympia, WA. The weather was nice for one thing. And they were SO organized. We checked her in at a tent in the parking lot. Then drove up to where her dorm was located. We couldn't park there as they had no room, but they had student volunteers who unloaded the car for us. I was told to drive back down to the other parking lot, then walk back up. There were guides along the way so we wouldn't get lost, and by the time I got back up to the dorm, all of dd's stuff had been moved in by the student volunteers. So nice!

 

[PamMo]

I've been searching Interval, RCI, and private rentals the last couple of weeks for a mountain escape before mid-July. There were several nice weeks/units available in June, and even though resorts were "open" with partial occupancy, the local SIP restrictions were still in place. Local government web pages were pretty clear that they wanted to slowly open up businesses for locals, but were not rolling out the welcome mat for people coming in from outside. I read more than a couple of city Covid guidelines that even if you COULD visit, they don't think you SHOULD. Also, we love hiking, so are disappointed that many parks (including National Parks) haven't reopened yet. I was getting excited about Riudoso, NM, but was disappointed to see that White Sands National Park is still closed.

I'm SO ready to start traveling again for fun, but am also trying hard to be responsible and respectful of local wishes/guidelines. It's starting to look like my first trip will be to DC for work. I'm keeping fingers crossed that we'll be able to go on our trip to Maui this fall!

 

[bbodb1]

...
... I have no idea if the human body sweats differently in humid vs not....

My problem in humidity is when sweating starts (which is pretty much when one walks outside), you really cannot dry off - even inside. One feels wet, sticky and dirty until the next shower, bath or swim. That first bead of sweat that forms on your back, rolls down your back and soaks your undergarment(s) quickly turns into a stream, then a river. Ugh.
Despite the fact one usually retreats into the A/C asap, the sweat that soaked your clothes is very slow to evaporate and creates an uncomfortable feeling of permanent wetness throughout.
Just uck.

 

[louisianab]

We just grabbed a Sanibel Island week for June 20th. Not ready to fly, it will be the kids first long road drive. Going straight down and doing a grocery pickup and sitting on the beach for a week. DH is still WFH, so no worries for him and I already had the week off. I'm excited, minus the 18hrish drive. (Maybe 16, as I'll be the driver )

 

[TravelTime]

I think we are starting to feel more comfortable with traveling soon. I’d like to go to Florida to visit family this year. We have a local trip planned with some friends in July.

 

[PamMo]

We just grabbed a Sanibel Island week for June 20th. Not ready to fly, it will be the kids first long road drive. Going straight down and doing a grocery pickup and sitting on the beach for a week. DH is still WFH, so no worries for him and I already had the week off. I'm excited, minus the 18hrish drive. (Maybe 16, as I'll be the driver )

I saw that early this morning with an AC. I was so excited about going back to Sanibel, but DH wouldn't go for it. He wants to get out of the heat and humidity, not deeper into it.

Have fun!!!