23 replies to this topic

[goinoregon]

I also have struggled with "to travel or not travel" decision. Making last minute plans is nearly impossible if reservations are required, as in Big Bend National Park for all camping, even backcountry. So I decided to plan a trip to BBNP in mid January and make all my reservations. I assume the pandemic will either greatly improve by then as a few people get vaccinated and we begin to get on the downward slope of the # of cases, or it will continue to explode, in which case I will cancel.

 

I decided that if I go on the trip, I will bring enough supplies for the entire trip so that I only have to stop for fuel, which is contactless pay at the pump. I feel very safe from Covid hiking, its outside, I step off the trail when approaching hikers need to pass and can also pull up a mask if needed. I can be completely self contained, and will do that.

 

I never though of the having an accident component and needing medical care, but in 22 years as a full -time RVer, on the road, I've only had two motor vehicle accidents, one was just a minor one, no medical staff involved, the second was a roll over accident at 70 mph, which required EMTs on the scene, but no other medical care. So I'll roll the dice on the accident component , plus my odds are probably the same driving to the grocery store locally to pick up groceries. 

 

I practice all the recommended Covid precautions, I don't do anything except go to the grocery store every 2 weeks, hike locally, I'm retired, cook meals at home and have very little contact with my neighbors and then its outdoors. Therefore I feel my odds of bringing Covid to another community are close to zero.

 

Lastly, locally, I still see people not wearing masks, or not wearing them properly and have still met folks that think this is blown out of proportion. I don't get it. Last night's news announced that there were only 23 ICU beds available in the entire state of NM. So maybe I'm better off being someone else, who knows.

 

Be safe out there

my current concern about winter driving is all the 'amazon' and other 18 wheelers out there.  there is a huge amount of inexperienced drivers out there, with little/no experience in winter driving.  when the crap hits the fan, your driving ability and history has no consequence when a truck trailer is sideways coming at you....    anyway, that is my concern.

[pvstoy]

Thank you all for sharing your experiences and concerns in this ever changing conditions. Safety is the biggest concern and need to view it as the big picture scene. I feel I can have controll of my soundings,choose where to be and have the ability to avoid people while traveling about in our truck camper. Oh that would be so great in a perfect world, but this is far from a perfect world.

I can have control to a point then there are way too many what if factors that can be unavoidable. I keep telling myself it not bad go ahead and get out there on the road. Then I watch the news, depressing...

If any of you have watched the men in black movies the one that the procteve net has to be put on the launching Apollo ship. The role of Griffin that sees the hundreds of possible outcomes. I feel that what happens every day as you go your way and make choices. You cant see them but if you could?

Anyway thanks for sharing what you are doing and how you'r making adjustment toward your traveling plans.

Looking foward to a Wander the West rally in the future.

[AWG_Pics]

Thank you all for sharing your experiences and concerns in this ever changing conditions. Safety is the biggest concern and need to view it as the big picture scene. I feel I can have controll of my soundings,choose where to be and have the ability to avoid people while traveling about in our truck camper. Oh that would be so great in a perfect world, but this is far from a perfect world.

I can have control to a point then there are way too many what if factors that can be unavoidable. I keep telling myself it not bad go ahead and get out there on the road. Then I watch the news, depressing...

If any of you have watched the men in black movies the one that the procteve net has to be put on the launching Apollo ship. The role of Griffin that sees the hundreds of possible outcomes. I feel that what happens every day as you go your way and make choices. You cant see them but if you could?

Anyway thanks for sharing what you are doing and how you'r making adjustment toward your traveling plans.

Looking foward to a Wander the West rally in the future.

 

These bad days will pass  soon enough.

[ski3pin]

We had planed to head out on the road for a couple of weeks.  Trip would take us to Southern Nevada Valley of Fire, places in Arizona, Phoenix , Patagonia Lakes, then into New Mexico Bitsi-Badlands and places between.

 

We had a discussion for 2 days on "go" - "no go" and decided the risk is too great.  The risk is the astronomical amount of people that now have the virus out there spreading it without even know that they are.  The wave is spiking and increasing everyday.  More hospitals are setting up makeshift rooms to handle the rush but lack the personnel to operate the expansion. California has ordered a lock down situation hoping to slow the numbers and prevent more deaths.

 

So if one had a unexpected medical need or was involved in a traffic accident while out in rural USA then that puts you at risk not getting the proper necessary care to treat your condition.  It also puts a demand on a already fragile medical system. 

 

It is not like back in October when the cases were low and traveling was not risky.  So we decided to stay more local until conditions improve or the vaccine is widely available to the public.

 

We have a trip planned for Yellowstone in winter but will make that decision when the time comes.

 

If you are traveling and camping please stay safe and be cautious, being respectful of the communities you travel through.

 

Cheers...

Well said, pvstoy. We have purposefully kept our recent travel to close to home always less than a day's drive to return. We have also kept the trip span short so no need to resupply on the road. The only necessary contact with others involved fuel stops. We recently traveled to Death Valley National Park. Our trip was in the backcountry. We discovered, upon leaving - a big sign placed for people entering to see, that the Park closed to everything but day use only. The new stay at home mandates for our region took affect as we returned home. It is time to stay home. Thanks for posting your decision.