The holidays are coming up, the weather is changing, we are probably all feeling a bit cooped up after months and months of social distancing and quarantining.
My blog isn't called The Wandering Homesteader for nothing... Since March, I have moved to Arizona, road tripped to Marfa, Texas, and then to Weatherford, Texas, I've hiked all over Arizona, visited folks in Southern Arizona, stayed with friends on Mount Lemmon (Tucson, AZ), flown home to Illinois for a wedding, had family visit me in Arizona multiple times, and stayed safe and had fun through it all.
Since I just got back from visiting the Snaffle Bit Futurity and Texas this weekend, I wanted to compile a list of my top 10 travel tips for Covid-19!
1. Plan Ahead
Even if you're headed on a last minute weekend getaway, stop for a minute and think through what you might be doing. If you're headed to a city, know what their current rules and restrictions are. If you're going out of state, be prepared for a different set of regulations than you're used to. Obviously, if you're going camping, you won't have to worry about masks, but there might be burn restrictions where you go, so a campfire might be out of the question. If you are headed to a friend or family member's house, be sure to ask them what you can do to help them feel safe while you visit. Some people might not be worried, while others may ask that you keep your distance and not hug. However they feel, your concern and respect for their decision will mean a lot and get your trip off to a great start.
2. Pack your Snacks
I highly recommend taking your own snacks! Whether you're flying or road tripping, taking food means you won't have to buy snacks or meals from crowded airports or gas stations. Not only will this save you money, but it will help you social distance better around people you don't know. I am not overly concerned with Covid-19 most of the time, but I do like to be conscious about who I am surrounding myself with.
3. Get Outside
Fall is undoubtedly the prettiest time of year, so head outside and enjoy some fresh air on your travels. Whether you stroll down city streets, walk down country lanes, or hike on mountains. There is nothing like the quality time you get with someone when you go on a walk with them.
If you aren't feeling as active, I would still encourage you to get outside by having a picnic, or a backyard barbeque. It has been said that sunlight helps boost your immunity through Vitamin D and helps you fight off Covid-19. Not only that, but when you're outside you have more room to spread out. Enjoy this beautiful time of year and get some fresh air!
4. Get healthy ahead of time
Why wait until you get sick to work on being healthy?! Prepare for your travel by getting your body fit and healthy before you go. Who says you can't rock that summer bod all year long! (Okay, but honestly, we all know changes to our body image are only a miniscule benefit of working out.) Join a gym, park at the far end of the parking lot, add some fruit or veggies to your diet, eliminate processed foods, watch how much alcohol you consume. These are all little, but important habits that you can add into your life to make a healthy difference and boost your immune system to help fight off colds, flus, and Covid.
5. Drink Water
This goes hand in hand with getting healthy, but drinking enough water every day can boost our immune system, prevent headaches, give us energy, help our skin stay wrinkle free longer, and so much more! One of the easiest ways I've found to stay hydrated is to take my own reusable water bottle with me! *Don't forget if you're getting on a plane, your water bottle must be empty through security.*
6. Find New Adventures
If you're headed on a vacation somewhere new, or you're exploring on the weekend, try to find the hidden gems to visit. The more popular tourist destinations or restaurants will be more crowded with a lot of people coming in and out.
I love when I find a hole in the wall restaurant and get to have a great conversation with the waiter who has been there forever, or even the owners! Or those moments when you've put in a long hike to get to a new spot and you arrive upon a breathtaking picture and no one is around to disturb it. Those are the moments when I am so thankful I've deviated from the common path to explore other fantastic places in God's creation.
7. Say Hello!
These masks have prevented us from seeing facial expressions which can be really isolating. Based on my experience, people now more than ever are avoiding eye contact with strangers because you can't see anything beyond the stare. I would encourage you to make your smile vocal by saying hello, telling people, to have a good day, and being kind in a way that shines through the mask.
8. Be Patient
We are all struggling to adapt to this new normal, the last thing any of us need to do is be quick to get angry or impatient. We all have different levels of worry about Covid-19, the election, our finances, etc., ranging from not at all worried to barely functioning. Be gracious towards others as you have no idea what they are going through. Go as far as to lend a helping hand or offer encouragement to someone if they seem like they are struggling. Kind words can go a long way!
9. Love People
Love the people you are travelling with or going to see well. Get off your phone and pay attention to what is ahead of you! Search for the little details that are so important in what you are seeing or doing! Be quick to compromise if there are many options on the agenda. The people you are with are always more important than the things you are doing. Read a book together. Do a puzzle. Get away from television and phones, to really connect with those you're with. If 2020 has taught us anything, it should be that life is short and precious.
10. HAVE FUN!!!!
Do not let yourself get so worried or bothered by the fear of getting sick that you don't allow yourself to adventure! I understand the weightiness and danger of Covid-19. I am immunocompromised and have to be careful that I don't catch it. My body has a hard time fighting illness and Covid could be very detrimental to me, HOWEVER, I refuse to let life pass me by without living to the fullest, spending as much time as I can with people I love, and seeing as much of God's country as He gives me the opportunity to see.
If you have had to stay extremely isolated since March, I would highly encourage you to start branching out. Have dinner with one friend, go for a walk with someone, find a park to visit on the weekend, eat outside at a restaurant, find something fun that you feel safe doing!
One thing I want to check out is seeing if there is an art class in my area!
I would love to hear from you where you are adventuring lately! As always, I am here to pray with you and for you! Let me know if you need travel ideas. I'd be happy to share some of my favorite places.
xo,
Sara
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