Warning: this rant contains material that some readers—particularly those living in countries with more extreme lockdown measures and more restrictive travel requirements—may find supremely whiny and annoying. For that, I apologize.
Leave it to COVID to mess with my travel life once again.
Normally, I have our summer travel plans locked and loaded while there’s still snow on the ground: Destination decided. Flight booked or route mapped. Accommodations reserved. Daily itinerary more or less in final form. Heck, I might even have my Travel Packing & To Do List printed and sitting primly on the desk. No harm in being prepared.
But here we are, early May, and . . . nothin.’
We are trying desperately to get back to England this summer. A tragic and unexpected death in the family this past winter necessitated our first—and hopefully last—Zoom funeral and has us yearning to be back with loved ones to share hugs, offer support, and generally just be together.
A travel corridor between the US and UK may be on the horizon. This is our golden ticket. Not only do we need the UK to let us vaccinated folk in unhindered, but we also need the US to do the same. As unlikely as COVID infections are among vaccinated individuals, they do happen, and it would be just my luck to get an asymptomatic infection—or God forbid, a symptomatic one from some, say, horrid new Antarctic variant (B.6.6.6)—that prevents me from boarding my flight home to pay the bills, spring the rabbit from “summer camp,” maintain the home, free my garden from the weeds of travel-related neglect, and do the 462 other things I put off all school year with the promise of “I’ll get to it during summer break.”
Also, I’ve heard of people missing their returning flight because their COVID test results didn’t come back in time. That’s a lot of stress, man.
If sufficiently relaxed intercontinental border crossings are not forthcoming, however, we will scramble to make some sort of domestic travel plans, but until I know for sure, I can’t make any plans of any kind, and it’s driving me batty!
So what do I do while I wait to see if the US and UK will agree to scratch each other’s backs? I waste hours of time I don’t have Google Mapping road trip routes I can’t take, researching flights I can’t buy, and drooling over accommodations someone else will be staying in:
- Beach vacation on the islands off of Sarasota, Florida
- Eastern Oregon road trip with the travel trailer and the bikes
- Fly/drive trip to California—Santa Barbara to Paso Robles, or San Jose to Paso Robles, or a giant circle that hits Lake Tahoe, Monterey, Carmel, and Yosemite
- Braving the heat and humidity of the Southeast in Charleston, South Carolina
- Out to Colorado to apologize to Leadville for cheating on it last year with Fairplay
And this is just my frontrunner list. The possibility of petsitting around the country? If I let myself go down that rabbit hole, I probably won’t even make it to work this week.
My love of travel coupled with my inability to live in the present and my slightly obsessive nature are conspiring to do me in.
So what is a travel architect to do? Take a deep breath and wait . . . and dream . . . and hope the husband doesn’t notice that I’ve left the dishes half done and nearly all the tasks on today’s “must do” list unchecked because I’ve spent the last three hours playing around on Skyscanner.
Again.
Update: Summer Travel Is Imminent: California Wine Country, Here We Come!
I don’t travel as much as you do [did] but I feel the same way as you do. I’m tired beyond tired of being at home. All I’ve done now for over a year is wait to get on with my life. While I can be philosophical about this merely being a *pause* I can also be cranky about living this way.
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The MN governor just finished up a news conference announcing the rolling back of restrictions at the end of May, and more at the beginning of July. Let’s hope we never have to backtrack.
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Fingers crossed. Forward is good.
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It’s killing me not going anywhere as well. I work for an airline so I get travel benefits that I can’t use 😕
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Oooh. That’s brutal!
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I sympathize! I generally have all our travel totally organized before we see in the New Year. I have resorted to researching and then planning itineraries for future trips.
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If I did that I’d have travel industry personnel telling me, “I’m sorry ma’am, but you can’t book our hotel rooms for 2028.” Haha!
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😎
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Ah, we can’t even eat in a restaurant or get a haircut here, let alone travel! Frustrating…
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To be honest, you were the main person I was thinking of when I wrote that warning.
On that note, the MN governor just announced the lifting of capacity and restaurant restrictions beginning in about 4 weeks, and the mask mandate being lifted by July 1. I guess time will tell if it’s too soon for this loosening…
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Wow, no masks by July! I can’t even imagine that.
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I can hardly believe it myself.
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Not being able to travel is officially taking an emotional toll on me, too. It’s been exactly 21 month since my last trip outside of Ireland, and we have to wait another ten days before even inter county travel opens up in Ireland. I am fed up about the fact that all those holidays I thought I’d be going on this year have been postponed, disrupted or cancelled and that’s why, before I completely lose it, I decided that I don’t want to live a life where my only source of happiness is traveling. One thing you can do is to develop skills for future trips. I am learning to surf so when I visit Tofino, Vancouver Island I can fulfil my dream of catching waves during the sunset! Cheers and have a good day. Aiva 🙂
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Good plan and coping mechanism!
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The idea of international travel still strikes me as–I was going to say premature but what I really mean is terrifying. Even if the corridors open up, are you sure it’s a good idea?
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Under the circumstances of our personal family tragedy, along with the CDC saying even international travel is low risk for vaccinated people (as long as precautions continue to be exercised), it feels like the right thing for us.
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Hope you have a great time wherever you go!!!
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Thank you!
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I can very much relate to this… so many trips planned, so little time to actually take them. Maybe we’ll end up seeing you guys in CO this summer?
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Maybe. I can always hear Colorado calling faintly to me… 🙂
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It looks like May 17 will be a big date to watch. https://thepointsguy.com/news/americans-visit-uk-summer/
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Thanks for the link!
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Totally recognize this! Fingers crossed that dreams become reality some time soon!!
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Thanks!
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It’s really hard! And for me, a cycle. If I can’t travel I’ll indulge myself online. But indulging in on line travel planning only fuels my wanderlust. I hope things fall into place and you can make the trip.
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Thank you, and to you, too. Sounds like we are both ready for some international travel.
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I admit, I was like you and toyed around with Skyscanner and travel-planning in the month leading up to the pandemic, as well as a bit more after it started. The longing to travel internationally, even domestically, was brutal, and planning detailed itineraries didn’t make me feel better. It was fun, but unrealistic, and I’ve since stopped doing it (although I slip up from time to time…). I’ve learned to be very patient, as COVID’s still a thing and I also have work obligations to complete (i.e. passing my year-long probationary period) to make travel my priority. Our time will come, and I can feel that it’ll be very soon. Solidarity, comrade!
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Yes, internet travel-gazing can be a form of torture. Good thing I’m not on Instagram or I’d be a goner for sure. Love your ending! Haha
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We have a trip planned to England in late august…fingers crossed we’ll be able to go. If not, a road trip in the PNW will be the backup. I am 💯 feeling your pain. It’s awful.
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Just found out a few days ago the US is not on the UK’s “green list.” They are going to reevaluate every 3 weeks, apparently, so fingers still crossed for both of us.
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I know exactly what you mean!! I hope you’ll be able to make it over here in the not too distant future. We are supposed to be told today which countries are on this new traffic light system which the government is bringing in when travel (hopefully) opens up on 17 May. So fingers crossed the news from this will make things easier for you to get here. For me personally, I’m not in a rush to book any leisure travel. I mean I’d LOVE to be travelling again but just not at the moment (the stress of tests, cancellations, etc…arrggh!) But we are in a similar position to you regarding needing to see family, we want to get out to Australia if/when we can. A family member is unwell but we just don’t know when we’ll be able to get back out there. And from what I’ve read today, they are saying they might not open up until the latter half of next year!!! So who knows!
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It’s tough going for those of us with unwell or other needy family situations abroad. I wish we could apply for some sort of waiver now that things are better vaccine-wise and given that it’s to do with a death in the family. No such luck, though.
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There’s been no progress on it yet has there, hopefully it will happen in the next review of travel they will make in a few weeks time.
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That’s what we’re hoping, too. Every couple of days I Google “US UK travel corridor” and I keep seeing news stories about it with “pressure is mounting.” We’ll just have to wait and see… and hope!
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You can always travel home to visit me.
Sent from my iPad
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Haha! It’s your turn to visit us and meet your new grand-rabbit!
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I hope things safely open up for you across the pond. But I’m sure you’ll find something fun to do no matter what. 👍
Nick Manning
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Thanks, Nick. It’s the waiting and uncertainty that are eating me up. I’m not a very patient person…
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By sharing your challenges, you provided all us lesser travel mortals solace (and an excuse 🙂 ) for not having any significant trips in the summer hopper. I appreciate your always enlightening shares that are regularly sprinkled with humour. Especially, keep up the riveting UK reporting (I am very serious here). As one with a surname from England of course, I am determined to finally traverse the big pond as soon as possible.
Should the Fair Lady and the Husband ever decide to lead a group there one day, I would very much like to be put in the know on that.
Happy Trails– in Minnesota if that’s what it takes~! 🙂
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Thanks so much for the compliments! I’m sure the husband would lead you on a trip to England tomorrow if he could. It’s something he’s often talked about doing. Unfortunately, the US just landed on “amber” on the UK’s traffic light travel system. Ugh.
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Totally feel your pain!! We are desperate to get away. We have decided to start planning a trip here in the UK so that we at least have something. Luckily we have so many other things on right now that it is occupying us. Hope you get to come to the UK again soon 😊😊
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Thank you. I was disappointed to find out a few days ago that the US is on the amber list. I guess we’ll be spending more time in a holding pattern. I just hate that! P.S. You have a great country so I’m sure you’ll find lots of great things to do and see!
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I like your eastern Oregon idea. I would suggest, if you’re going that far, to push on 5 hours or so and visit western Oregon while you’re at it! Especially the coast. There’s no other place like it in the world (though I may be biased).
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We did a coastal Oregon road trip a number of years ago. It was very beautiful but boy was it WINDY!! All the way up the coast, whenever I asked a local about it, they invariably replied that it is like that every summer, but that the winds calm down in the fall. Unfortunately, it is a documented fact that wind is my least favorite weather feature. 😦
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Interesting response from the locals, because actually, the winds are worse in the winter along the coast. But still, nothing like we see here on the Northern Plains!
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I’m just as bad with Skyscanner.. I am looking for that one trip to the Philippines to be with my fiance and it is so hard because of thr pandemic. It’s been a year and half since I last been with her and it kills me to no end and I still do not know when it will open up. I feel your frustration and double it with me.
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That is really rough. I’m so sorry. I really hope you will be reunited very, very soon.
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I totally share your frustrations! We’ve been taking tons of weekend trips since we’ve been able to, but it’s really hard to actually plan anything major in case it doesn’t go ahead. We’ve actually got flights booked to Italy for late September but I’m so hesitant on planning the trip. Initially I wanted to hop over to Slovenia, but these days country-hopping just isn’t a thing you can do easily. Who knows what things will look like then? So I’m coming up with a back-up plan, but it just doesn’t feel the same knowing that it might not go ahead. It’s very hard to get excited. Definitely first world problems, but still! We are at the point where we need a break from all of this, right?
P.S. so sorry for your loss. 😦 Zoom funerals are the worst… I mean in some ways, they’re good for people who wouldn’t be able to make it across the world, and it definitely opens up opportunities to bring people together in different ways in the future, but… very frustrating for those who *should* be there in person. 😦 I hope you make it over here to see family soon.
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Thanks so much for your sentiments. You’re right – without Zoom we would have been completely absent from the funeral. We are awaiting June 7 to see what the updated “traffic light” system in the UK looks like…
As for my post about summer travel plans, just yesterday I put out a new one saying that we now DO have summer travel plans. It’s amazing how quickly things can change.
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Zoom funerals are the worst…
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It has become a common thing & is taking an emotional toll on one and all !Not able to travel is quite frustrating in itself let alone missing the entertainment and merrymaking during a joy trip!Everyone is entitled for a refreshing change after working continuously for certain period!But this pandemic has played a spoilsport!Lets keep patient as this will also pass!keep happy,healthy & safe !💕
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I’ve settled for driving distance destinations visiting people I’ve really missed during quarantine. This means checking out small towns, I never would have thought of, but I’m weirdly excited about it!
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That’s a great plan. I’ll bet you’ll find a lot of quirky stuff in small towns that’ll make great fodder for your blog. That’s what happened last summer when we visited the Spam Museum. Happy short travels!
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I really enjoyed this article. I can relate to the angst your feeling. My girlfriend and I moved back to Thailand in January 2020, right before COVID hit, full intending to travel around Southeast Asia some more.
We’re more than ready for that door to open back up so we can revisit some places and explore some new ones.
Keep that wanderlust going!
Side question, what’s your favorite state you’ve been to in the US?
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Thank you so much! I’m glad you enjoyed it.
A fellow blogger friend lives in Thailand and he tells me the vaccine rollout has been very slow over there. I’m sorry to hear that.
Colorado, hands down. But Utah, New Mexico, and Arizona are way up there as well.
I hope you can get resume your travels soo!
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Yeah, it’s been slow, especially compared to the US. I live in Phuket and I believe almost 100% of Thais are vaccinated and they’re now working on covering all the foreigners.
Colorado is a beauty, truly loved that place.
Enjoy your travels!
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Oh good! My blogging friend in Thailand is a UK expat and said foreigners were to be the last in line so I’m glad they’re finally getting to you guys.
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Thailand has just announced its launching its sandbox for traveller’s to come and visit Phuket on the 1st of July so there is now hope of foreign travel opening up in Asia without the need for quarantine. You can holiday in a tropical paradise and stay there for 14 days before moving on to visit the rest of the country
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Tempting, very tempting. I wish the CDC would eliminate it’s requirement for a negative COVID test before boarding a plane for the states (for vaccinated travelers).
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Hello there! I’m from the other side of the world (in the Philippines), but I can really feel your pain.
I really miss traveling! Before the pandemic, I used to go to different places at least once a month, and I’m stuck at home for more than a year now! Hopefully, we can travel again. Stay safe always. 😀
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Hi! Thanks for your comment. I have to admit that since I wrote that I was able to book some travel and we just got back from California a few days ago, but England is still a no go, for now. Wishing us both a travel-filled (near) future!
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Hey there!
I’m from Canada. I’m sorry you’ve been going through this. The last year and a half has been rough while the world literally came to a standstill. I like to think we’ll be back out and about eventually. The important thing is doing everything you can do to keep yourself and those around you as safe as possible.
Wishing you all the best in your journeys, and I’m hoping you get back to England soon. I can’t imagine what you must be feeling..
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Hello from Minnesota, just across the border! How is Canada doing? Last I looked your COVID numbers were better than ours, but are you still under rigid travel restrictions? I’ve been lucky. Since I wrote that post we’ve been to California. Just got back a few days ago, in fact. But yes, the England thing is not looking good. We may have to kick the can down the road and hope for Christmas… Thank you for your kind words of sympathy.
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I live in Alberta, but I’m originally from Nova Scotia. Our travel restrictions are starting to loosen a little bit. Fully vaccinated travelers are now able to travel internationally and don’t need ot quarantine when coming back, provided certain criteria is met.
I’m hoping to be able to kickstart something this year so I can travel a bit, and see where the road takes me.
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Will Canada let you back into the country if you test positive abroad? That’s the problem we’re facing here. We’re vaccinated, but if we were to get a breakthrough infection, we’d be stuck in a foreign country.
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I am unsure about this, as right now there’s a lot of confusion in regards to rules at the border. This is something I need to look further into.
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I do know, however, that if you test positive, airlines most likely will refuse you boarding.
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Same like you, most of us are frustrated. I felt like I have been in Jail, even there is no lock down here. I use to travel all over the world every time before this pandemic. I am frustrated and depressed like hell. Hoping this pandemic will end soon!!!
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I’m sorry to hear it’s been so hard. We’ve managed to get away, but within the US. We aren’t willing to go abroad and risk getting stuck abroad. So frustrating.
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Nice post
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Thanks!
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Great post – I feel exactly the same!
There’s still no sign of the US opening up for travel is there!
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Not for non-Americans, it seems. We don’t seem to be reciprocating everyone else’s “welcome” signs. Of course, we are just entering the Delta surge. 😦
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Thanks for the compliment, by the way. 🙂
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I’m resigned to the fact I won’t be traveling any time soon. Even if I could, I wouldn’t want to deal with all the stress. I’m setting my sights on fall 2023!
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You have the patience of a saint!
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