Traveling During Covid
How to travel safely and still have fun.
How to travel safely and still have fun.
When I boarded the Amtrak train on February 28th for a seven hour journey to Charlottesville, Virginia from New York City word was out about the coronavirus which was running rampant in Wuhan, China.
Since people were concerned about it coming to America, many New Yorkers were already avoiding our local and loved Chinatown fearing Chinese travelers were bringing the deadly virus back. Some of my friends felt otherwise and were posting on Facebook suggesting we band together and help the businesses there by gathering in groups for meals at various Chinese restaurants.
On my return March 6th when I boarded Amtrak in Charlottesville I was wearing vinyl gloves, antibacterial wipes and had hand sanitizer with me for the first time in my life. After spending a peaceful week out in the countryside of Virginia at a writer’s retreat, it was time to head home to New York City. Away from civilization, deep in my reading, writing and walking, I began to notice life was changing and I’d better prepare myself. Not much existed out there in the way of stores but, for those that were there, their shelves were telling. The essential products for cleaning germs were running short. I drove to different towns, several miles apart, to find hand sanitizers.
By mid-March, covid cases were multiplying in New York City, hospitals were running short of beds and supplies and Governor Cuomo announced we must shelter in place only leaving for essential needs.
I managed okay. At the time it was hard to get masks so I bought bandannas. With my sunglasses on, a purple bandanna covering most of my face and wearing a hood, no one could recognize me. I was often asked who I was going to hold up. I only went out to buy food and get some exercise. Always using my own bike (was too afraid to use the shared bikes) I documented all with my camera. I didn’t mind being at home, something I hadn’t done much of before always fleeing to libraries and cafes to work. I had developed a new relationship with my apartment.
As the summer approached, I started getting the urge to leave, to get out of the city. My one room apartment with a view of an air shaft was beginning to get to me. I rented a place for one month in the Adirondacks in Lake Placid. Fresh air, the mountains, lakes and streams rejuvenated me. (quenched my thirst for tranquility and travel)
When my ninety-seven year old mom, who lives alone in Boca Raton, Florida, ended up in the hospital a few weeks later (not covid related), I cut that trip short and flew down to care for her. Choosing Delta Airlines where they keep the middle seat empty and take many precautions, I boarded armed with not only a mask, gloves, hand sanitizer but also a face shield. It was an easy, empty and enjoyable flight.
My time and priorities were now focused on healing my mother. I kept distance from her as best I could until I got the results of my covid test. In time, she got better and I searched for activities, companionship, and fun. As I found each of them, my travel bug was itching. I discovered that being in Florida during covid times was far easier than being in Manhattan so I decided not to rush back home. Although at this point covid was spiking in many places, I knew enough on how to travel safely during the pandemic and was ready to plan a covid safe adventure. As I knew I would be leaving the confines of my mother’s home, I made sure to get another covid test and waited for my negative results before I would head out.
I started with the Naples area. That trip would require only a one night stay as it was just a two hour drive from Boca Raton. I found on Airbnb a lovely boutique hotel on the bay in Bonita Springs. Prior to booking, I read the reviews which were all glowing. I made sandwiches and took fruit and snacks and drinks in my thermos to munch on during the trip. Never leaving home without them, I kept in my car wipes, extra masks and sanitizers. I brought plenty of food to last me the entire two days. I discovered a restaurant on the water in Bonita Springs, where I sat outside and far more than six feet away from others. This getaway rejuvenated me.
As my insatiable appetite to travel was ignited, the following week I decided to venture down to Key West. Ernest Hemingway lived there from 1931–1939 immortalizing this tiny strip of land in the southernmost part of Florida. Upon Hemingway’s death in 1961, his former home became a museum. I took a guided tour which limited the participants to ten people with masks requirements. We learned about his four marriages and his wild escapades as he loved booze, boxing and women.
Seventy percent of his works were written during the nine years he lived there. As a writer who loves adventure as Hemingway did, I was eager to see where he lived and wrote. Hemingway built a writing studio in a detached carriage house. He wrote daily from 6 am until noon, producing about 500–700 words each day. The room was filled with light coming in from windows on all sides. Hemingway pounded away on his typewriter every morning creating many of his greatest works, including A Farewell To Arms, To Have and Have Not, For Whom the Bell Tolls and Death in the Afternoon.
After visiting Hemingway’s house I wanted to relax on the second floor covered porch of my hotel on Duval Street, the main street of Key West and start penning my thoughts. However, my curiosity to see as much I could before I had to leave got the best of me. In the three days I was there, I visited many outdoor sites including Mallory Square for sunset, Fort Zachary State park where the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico meet, the historic seaport where I enjoyed a delicious ribeye steak dinner sitting outside on the restaurant’s balcony. I also walked through the Key West cemetery founded in 1847 which included a Jewish section, learning Jews had arrived in the area in 1880. I was comforted to see wherever I went most others were also wearing masks and everyone gave each other plenty of space.
I couldn’t leave Key West without visiting Harry S. Truman Little White House. This was President Truman’s winter getaway for 175 days. He continued to run the country from there where he was relaxed, wore only tropical shirts and enjoyed his poker games. Here too, social distancing and masks were strictly enforced.
Satisfying my taste buds I discovered an outdoor seaside restaurant specializing in lobster pizza baked in a wooden oven. My appetite for food and exploring were satiated by the time I left Key West. Now, I’m eagerly planning my next covid safe trip.
As I write this, I reflect on how grateful I am to be in good health and have all my loved ones doing well during these unprecedented and trying times. Also, I realize how lucky I am to be living in a warm climate during the winter/covid lockdown and able to do lots of outdoor activities safely.