When we first learned of all the closures caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, it was still early enough in the RV travel season that we anticipated a few weeks of caution, and things would return to normal. Our expectations were that our travel plans might be delayed but certainly not by much. 

Fast forward two months, and we are experiencing a different reality. The number of hospitalizations continues to rise in Georgia - especially after the Governor prematurely reopened the state for business. Our daughter in Maryland anticipated our spring visit, but Maryland - and many other states, have asked visitors to stay away until "the time is right" (as the Idaho website put it). 

These are unprecedented times when some people blithely ignore the warnings and others hunker down for an apocalypse. So, what to do? How do we take reasonable precautions without going overboard to live in fear? I don't have any definitive answer but I am happy to share what we are doing and how we are planning for our next trip.  

We heeded the shelter-in-place caution from the beginning. Along with our grown children and their families, we take the threat seriously. We have limited our grocery shopping to one day a week - often ordering what we need online and using curbside pickup. Amazon has always been a regular shopping resource for us and that has been magnified now that retail shops are closed. 

We couldn't find masks anywhere online, so I made masks from scraps of fabric, elastic, and coffee filters - not the best but certainly better than nothing. We wear those masks every time we go out. So speaking of going out: We try to spend time outdoors as often as possible. We go for walks in a nearby park, keeping our distance from others who are also out for a walk. When we can't get to the park we walk up and down the driveway. Digging around in the garden is a good way to enjoy the sunshine, or washing the car or RV (we want to be ready to go when that "right time" hits!).

I continue to work from home, submitting assignments, and updates online. Video conferencing has become the norm both for business and for family communication. We visit our children - and our sibling with the video conference tool, "Zoom" and it works splendidly! I think we keep in touch more frequently than ever before since it is easy to log on and have a "video visit". I miss the hugs though. 

It became clear that we would need activities to keep us distracted when spending so much time at home. So, we took a look at our "bucket list" for items that don't require travel. Jim is learning to play the banjo, I am working to expand my skill on the ukulele. We are reading a lot more. Jim enjoys cooking and has really "upped" his game with new recipes and a few "experimental" dishes. Gaining weight might be our biggest issue for the next few months!

Yet one of the activities I enjoy the most is browsing through the tourism websites from states across the U.S. and Canada. Each state and Canadian province has a department of tourism and each has a website to explore. They offer their best collection of adventures, spectacular scenery, fascinating places, and unique activities. Time passes quickly when I am cobbling together a rough itinerary for a future trip.

But it doesn't end with these "top-level" websites. Cities and communities large and small each have similar websites with more detailed information. For example, if you want to visit Georgia, you can browse through "ExploreGeorgia.org" or, you can choose the tourism websites for Atlanta, Macon, Blue Ridge, Athens, or any of dozens of cities in the state. Using the state site I get an overview of what the state has to offer in the way of large events, state parks, and larger attractions. The city sites offer information on festivals, local activities, and smaller attractions. Used together, I can explore something like hiking all over the state, or focus in on what there is to do in one hiking area like Blue Ridge. 

Browsing these sites online is entertaining, but I also like to request brochures to be mailed to me when I am serious about planning a trip to an area (we have a list of the state and Canadian province websites on our Travel page. Most of these websites offer a travel guide in both online and paper versions). The brochures make planning the trip more tangible. I can page through the various city guides, review the maps and then load the rough itinerary into an online route planner to see how it shapes up in mileage and timing. Planning these trips makes staying home a little more tolerable with the promise that I will travel again soon. 

And that leads me to a bit of advice. Check the areas you plan to travel to and find out their status in regard to tourism. You'll want to find out if the attractions and parks you plan to visit are open or if there are any restrictions. Make reservations. I know, you like to travel free and breezy but having reservations at campgrounds will keep you updated on any closures. When in doubt, call before you go. 

When you begin to travel again, do it mindfully. Getting sick hundreds of miles from home is a worst-case scenario so plan to take a few precautions. These are things you can do anytime to stay healthy, but especially when there is a threat of flu or another virus.   

1. Keep gloves and hand sanitizer in the cab of your rig as well as the service bay. You know to use them when dumping, but also use your gloves when pumping gas or hooking up at the campground.

2. Use your hand sanitizer every time you get in the vehicle - just make it a habit. 

3. Wipe down the steering wheel with sanitizing wipes frequently.

4. Wash your hands often. There's a reason physicians do this!

5. Continue to practice safe distancing in public places. Think of it as protecting your "personal space"!

6. Avoid crowded activities but, If you must, then seriously consider wearing a mask. If nothing else it will keep you from touching your face. 

7. Keep a very clean RV interior, wiping down all the surfaces with sanitizing cloths before and after meals. 

8. Know your insurance coverage, make sure your id cards are up to date, and check about out-of-state coverage.

9. In your destination planning find out where the hospital or clinics are located in relation to your campground. 

10. If you're express touring through many destinations, keep your current location address on a whiteboard mounted on a closet door. In an emergency, it's easy to get confused as to which campground you are in today! Having the address handy makes it easier for 911 to find you or for you to get directions to a clinic.

Traveling by RV is a pretty safe way to travel. You automatically practice "safe-distancing" because you're staying in your RV instead of a hotel. You can buy local foods and cook in your RV to avoid crowded restaurants. Most RVers choose open spaces to explore and outdoor activities that make safe-distancing easier - hiking, biking, and kayaking are pretty safe bets. And if you travel with a group of friends, you can still visit at the campfire. 

We will travel again, but until then, use this time to plan one, two, or a dozen trips. Just be mindful of your planning and take the reality of our collective situation to heart. See you on the road - soon!