Safety concerns in a road trip - what are you doing differently?
Jun 24th, 2020, 09:47 AM
#41
Carry antiseptic wipes and clean door handles and knobs and everything you touch in rooms.
our friends had to drive cross country and they spent about 15 min wiping everything down in rooms they stayed in. They also checked incidence of the virus in different areas and chose to stay where it it was lower. Take a cooler with your own food in it, shop as you go. Masks, gloves of course especially when pumping gas.
We are not doing a road trip ourselves this year.
our friends had to drive cross country and they spent about 15 min wiping everything down in rooms they stayed in. They also checked incidence of the virus in different areas and chose to stay where it it was lower. Take a cooler with your own food in it, shop as you go. Masks, gloves of course especially when pumping gas.
We are not doing a road trip ourselves this year.
Jun 24th, 2020, 01:29 PM
#43
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We have enough food that we don’t have to go into any stores.
So, what are you folks doing about germy paper money? Lysol spray?
Jun 24th, 2020, 04:10 PM
#45
I mostly use credit cards but sometimes pay cash for gas for the discount. Regular handwashing routine. I just leave the change if any in my wallet figure after a week it's okay.
Today I took a trip up to Malibu (Pt. Dume and Malibu Creek State Park). The restrooms in the main parking lot for the State Park are open and maintained, as far as clean and TP. Water but no soap. Just used hand sanitizer when back in the car and washed my hands when I got home. I left Long Beach at about 6:15 am and was at Pt. Dume by 7am! Left the State Park at about 11am and was home in less than an hour.
Today I took a trip up to Malibu (Pt. Dume and Malibu Creek State Park). The restrooms in the main parking lot for the State Park are open and maintained, as far as clean and TP. Water but no soap. Just used hand sanitizer when back in the car and washed my hands when I got home. I left Long Beach at about 6:15 am and was at Pt. Dume by 7am! Left the State Park at about 11am and was home in less than an hour.
Last edited by mlgb; Jun 24th, 2020 at 04:14 PM.
Jun 25th, 2020, 06:26 AM
#46
My lookout friend Mac Tippins arrived in Challis ID on Sunday. He drove from his home in South Carolina in about 8 days. It will be at least a week before he can get to his lookout (Pinyon Peak elevation 9950`). There are some areas with snow on the roads and a few trees down over roads. After he gets to the tower, he will be working 10 days on-4 days off. Being a lookout is a real self isolation job.
I hope he gets more great pictures this year. On his last lookout job (Mt. Lemonn) in Arizona, his pictures and voice over won a regional Emmy for the PBS station.
I hope he gets more great pictures this year. On his last lookout job (Mt. Lemonn) in Arizona, his pictures and voice over won a regional Emmy for the PBS station.
Jun 25th, 2020, 01:06 PM
#48
"So, what are you folks doing about germy paper money?"
I follow the same protocol I have ~always~ followed when I return home from shopping, whether I touch my credit card or paper money...I WASH MY HANDS.
DD and I were out today at a museum where we were literally the only two visitors for our entire visit, and one of the docents followed us to make certain that we wore masks the whole time. Yet, in the gift shop I touched a couple of pottery pieces and pulled a couple of books out to examine, and the docents did nothing. No cleaning. Nothing.
On the bright side, I suppose, at least we were able to visit a museum.
I follow the same protocol I have ~always~ followed when I return home from shopping, whether I touch my credit card or paper money...I WASH MY HANDS.
DD and I were out today at a museum where we were literally the only two visitors for our entire visit, and one of the docents followed us to make certain that we wore masks the whole time. Yet, in the gift shop I touched a couple of pottery pieces and pulled a couple of books out to examine, and the docents did nothing. No cleaning. Nothing.
On the bright side, I suppose, at least we were able to visit a museum.
Jun 25th, 2020, 01:33 PM
#49
A good reminder to anyone considering shopping. Someone may have touched that thing before you bought it.
Jun 25th, 2020, 02:22 PM
#50
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I rarely use cash. I had to pay someone in cash recently and I had not touched my wallet since January, and that is where the cash was. I have been keeping my Costco card and two credit cards in a ziplock bag so I don't have to touch more things. That goes in my zipped up pocket.
I was using gloves to pump gas, but developed an allergy so now it feels really weird do gas up without the gloves on. I use the hand sanitizer liberally after that.
We are cancelling my dads birthday celebration because too many people are out and not being careful. We just cannot chance it. I am angry about it because he doesn't remember a lot, but he does remember his birthday and this is a big one, so I know he will be so disappointed. We can Zoom, but still.
mlgb--our trails are the same here. Way too many people and leaving trash etc. There is no excuse for that. I just don't understand why anyone would ever leave any trash behind, anywhere. We are going hiking this weekend and trying to figure out what trail to do, something that isn't mobbed etc.
I was using gloves to pump gas, but developed an allergy so now it feels really weird do gas up without the gloves on. I use the hand sanitizer liberally after that.
We are cancelling my dads birthday celebration because too many people are out and not being careful. We just cannot chance it. I am angry about it because he doesn't remember a lot, but he does remember his birthday and this is a big one, so I know he will be so disappointed. We can Zoom, but still.
mlgb--our trails are the same here. Way too many people and leaving trash etc. There is no excuse for that. I just don't understand why anyone would ever leave any trash behind, anywhere. We are going hiking this weekend and trying to figure out what trail to do, something that isn't mobbed etc.
Jun 25th, 2020, 03:20 PM
#51
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As it turns out, we were right - two of us traveling in an RV is the ultimate in social distancing. If we talk to anyone, we're at least 15' apart, and the RV is only as clean as we make it (we're stocked up on Clorox wipes, Dawn, Lestoil (my favorite) and bleach). It's not that crowded here -- so we hope our kids will bring our grandkids here in the next couple of days. They can ride bikes, play mini-golf, maybe swim (depending on how crowded the pool is), use the playground as long as we wipe things down, and take a "hike" on the wooded walking path (1.36 miles within the RV park). Even better than a museum!! (I was going to ask, "what's a museum?" 
)
)
Jun 25th, 2020, 07:19 PM
#52
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Just returned from a week long road trip in Texas.
Before I get smacked around (nicely of course) I will state that my husband is an ER nurse, our home state was top 5 in cases and he spent 6 weeks in the "covid tent" working with patients. We are well aware that COVID is real.
What did we do differently? Not a whole lot. Originally I planned on renting an RV. Instead we stayed in 4 different hotel rooms over 8 nights. Had to switch rental cars mid stream due to broken A/C. Went to a water park and an amusement park and the Pacific War Museum (awesome place fyi - Fredericksburg, TX, birthplace of Admiral Nimitz).
During the trip, as we do at home, we wore masks and social distanced. We washed our hands religiously. But for us, after having a few months of data, we are not concerned about our teens or either of us if we get COVID. We are concerned about our relatives over 70, our immune compromised friends, etc. So we are in a quarantine for those folks for the next 10-14 days now that we've returned home. But based on our health and ages we were not afraid to travel.
I will say that our home airport in Boston was dead when we came through. We walked onto every roller coaster at the amusement park, the hotels were all very limited in number of guests (two were eerie they were so empty) - basically an active travellers dream. no lines anywhere, no crowds, and lots of fun for us.
Bottom line - I hope those who feel okay doing so travel and enjoy. Those who are older should honestly wait this out. Stay safe all!!
Before I get smacked around (nicely of course) I will state that my husband is an ER nurse, our home state was top 5 in cases and he spent 6 weeks in the "covid tent" working with patients. We are well aware that COVID is real.
What did we do differently? Not a whole lot. Originally I planned on renting an RV. Instead we stayed in 4 different hotel rooms over 8 nights. Had to switch rental cars mid stream due to broken A/C. Went to a water park and an amusement park and the Pacific War Museum (awesome place fyi - Fredericksburg, TX, birthplace of Admiral Nimitz).
During the trip, as we do at home, we wore masks and social distanced. We washed our hands religiously. But for us, after having a few months of data, we are not concerned about our teens or either of us if we get COVID. We are concerned about our relatives over 70, our immune compromised friends, etc. So we are in a quarantine for those folks for the next 10-14 days now that we've returned home. But based on our health and ages we were not afraid to travel.
I will say that our home airport in Boston was dead when we came through. We walked onto every roller coaster at the amusement park, the hotels were all very limited in number of guests (two were eerie they were so empty) - basically an active travellers dream. no lines anywhere, no crowds, and lots of fun for us.
Bottom line - I hope those who feel okay doing so travel and enjoy. Those who are older should honestly wait this out. Stay safe all!!
Jun 26th, 2020, 10:16 AM
#53
I am struggling with the "not pawing through" produce and so forth. I physically examine every piece of produce that I purchase, be it from a farmer's market or the grocery...and then WASH the items when I return home. I also launder or dry clean clothing, linens and the like that I've purchased regardless of whether the items are wrapped. Are there folks for whom this is a novel concept?
Jun 26th, 2020, 10:27 AM
#54
"(I was going to ask, "what's a museum?" )"
🤣 A number of smaller museums have opened throughout East Tennessee, and DD and I are wasting no time visiting all of them! We have learned about topics that we never thought we might find interesting! Frankly, the small museums (like small businesses) could have re-opened much earlier, as they can more easily limit the number of people visiting. The Knoxville MoA opens next week with timed-entry tickets to limit visitors, and I jumped on that as soon as I read the news. I don't even care that I saw the current exhibits before the shutdown!
)" 🤣 A number of smaller museums have opened throughout East Tennessee, and DD and I are wasting no time visiting all of them! We have learned about topics that we never thought we might find interesting! Frankly, the small museums (like small businesses) could have re-opened much earlier, as they can more easily limit the number of people visiting. The Knoxville MoA opens next week with timed-entry tickets to limit visitors, and I jumped on that as soon as I read the news. I don't even care that I saw the current exhibits before the shutdown!
Jun 26th, 2020, 12:22 PM
#55
I did not purchase anything, alas. Owing to the price tag being beneath the pottery piece I was obligated to lift the item; though, I could not mentally find an immediate place for the piece in our home. The two cookbooks I looked at were not of interest, either.
I am struggling with the "not pawing through" produce and so forth. I physically examine every piece of produce that I purchase, be it from a farmer's market or the grocery...and then WASH the items when I return home. I also launder or dry clean clothing, linens and the like that I've purchased regardless of whether the items are wrapped. Are there folks for whom this is a novel concept?
I am struggling with the "not pawing through" produce and so forth. I physically examine every piece of produce that I purchase, be it from a farmer's market or the grocery...and then WASH the items when I return home. I also launder or dry clean clothing, linens and the like that I've purchased regardless of whether the items are wrapped. Are there folks for whom this is a novel concept?
Jun 26th, 2020, 12:52 PM
#56
Not certain I understand your statement. Why should I just accept what the seller at a farmer's market sells me? Should I just accept an unripe avocado because I touched it? Should I just duly pay for a bunch of radishes that may be wilted and limpy?
Last edited by fourfortravel; Jun 26th, 2020 at 12:55 PM.
Jun 26th, 2020, 02:21 PM
#57
Can't you tell that radishes are wilted and limpy without picking them up? As for avocados, I can usually tell when they are ripe by the color if they are Haas. And I prefer to buy them green and let them ripen at home, because when they are pawed over, they usually are bruised. That does require a bit of forward planning, though.
I wonder how you would fare where the custom is that no one gets to squeeze and bruise the fruit. (Not uncommon, actually). Then you would have to cultivate a relationship with the vendor.
When you paw through the produce, you are spreading whatever has been deposited by the prior customers all over the place.
I wonder how you would fare where the custom is that no one gets to squeeze and bruise the fruit. (Not uncommon, actually). Then you would have to cultivate a relationship with the vendor.
When you paw through the produce, you are spreading whatever has been deposited by the prior customers all over the place.
Jun 26th, 2020, 02:31 PM
#58
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I am struggling with the "not pawing through" produce and so forth. I physically examine every piece of produce that I purchase, be it from a farmer's market or the grocery...
I am somewhat amused by this because when I did this in a European market I all but had my knuckles rapped.!!! And I indeed do it in the US so ..... BUT Iand it isn't you, I know) the people who come to a US farmer's market and haven't seen a gorgeous cherokee purple summer tomato and start pressing it HARD and then put it back BRUISED are beyond me.
Your search for pottery leads me to say you MUST go to explore central NC. Winston Salem, Jugtown, (different from Seagrove in a way). I think/hope I have already recommended this!)
I am somewhat amused by this because when I did this in a European market I all but had my knuckles rapped.!!! And I indeed do it in the US so ..... BUT Iand it isn't you, I know) the people who come to a US farmer's market and haven't seen a gorgeous cherokee purple summer tomato and start pressing it HARD and then put it back BRUISED are beyond me.
Your search for pottery leads me to say you MUST go to explore central NC. Winston Salem, Jugtown, (different from Seagrove in a way). I think/hope I have already recommended this!)
Jun 26th, 2020, 02:51 PM
#59
"Can't you tell that radishes are wilted and limpy without picking them up? As for avocados, I can usually tell when they are ripe by the color if they are Haas. And I prefer to buy them green and let them ripen at home, because when they are pawed over, they usually are bruised. That does require a bit of forward planning, though."
"I am somewhat amused by this because when I did this in a European market I all but had my knuckles rapped.!!! "
I like radishes firm and crisp, and the greens equally so (I use them for a quick pesto), and the quality of radishes at the grocery are sometimes difficult to discern.
At any local market outside of Naschmarkt, I could touch and inspect everything, even at stalls where I did not have a relationship with the vendor. At stalls in my neighborhood market where I had a "relationship" with the vendor (and this was oh-so-tenuous given that I was not Austrian), I was still permitted to touch and otherwise inspect the produce that I was purchasing. To me that seems ordinary and rational. Why would I purchase produce that I had not personally inspected?
Gretchen, thank you for the pottery recommendations. Both W-S and Jugtown are on my homework lists.
"I am somewhat amused by this because when I did this in a European market I all but had my knuckles rapped.!!! "
I like radishes firm and crisp, and the greens equally so (I use them for a quick pesto), and the quality of radishes at the grocery are sometimes difficult to discern.
At any local market outside of Naschmarkt, I could touch and inspect everything, even at stalls where I did not have a relationship with the vendor. At stalls in my neighborhood market where I had a "relationship" with the vendor (and this was oh-so-tenuous given that I was not Austrian), I was still permitted to touch and otherwise inspect the produce that I was purchasing. To me that seems ordinary and rational. Why would I purchase produce that I had not personally inspected?
Gretchen, thank you for the pottery recommendations. Both W-S and Jugtown are on my homework lists.
Jun 26th, 2020, 03:55 PM
#60
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Take advantage of clean toilets when you find them. That’s lesson 1.
honestly, it’s less trust for me and more “put life on hold for three months, and can’t continue to do so.” So I do what I’m comfortable with, try more obscure history or interpretive sites, stop at interesting parks for the dog. eat in the car a lot. Picnic more than usual. I’ve been slightly choosier with hotels, and a lot choosier with entertainment—more drives than shopping.
if it was a farmer vendor with a really good booth, maybe I’d be okay without inspecting. But I’d never buy a grocery store veg or fruit without inspecting.
honestly, it’s less trust for me and more “put life on hold for three months, and can’t continue to do so.” So I do what I’m comfortable with, try more obscure history or interpretive sites, stop at interesting parks for the dog. eat in the car a lot. Picnic more than usual. I’ve been slightly choosier with hotels, and a lot choosier with entertainment—more drives than shopping.
if it was a farmer vendor with a really good booth, maybe I’d be okay without inspecting. But I’d never buy a grocery store veg or fruit without inspecting.
Last edited by marvelousmouse; Jun 26th, 2020 at 03:57 PM.
