2022 Is Shaping Up to Be a Decent (Domestic) Travel Year

After our stressful, chaotic, life-shortening Christmas trip to England, we’ve sworn off international travel until we can come and go without COVID tests and other pandemic-related restrictions. So far, America remains married to its re-entry testing requirements despite the fact that several countries—backed by the WHO—are abandoning their test-to-enter rules due to their reported ineffectiveness at curtailing COVID’s spread, and despite pleas from just about every sector of the travel industry.

Both the WHO and The Who (possibly) are against test-to-fly requirements. Source: rollingstone.com

Ergo, we’ve looked within our own (thankfully far flung) borders for travel inspiration this year, and I must say, inspiration has been achieved!  Here’s a rundown:

Spring—the season of solo travel. When we “take the waters” in my home state we’ll probably bicker endlessly over whose spring break was better. Shortly thereafter the husband will jet off for his first visit to The Geriatric State Florida to watch people drive cars.

• spring break bikepacking in southern Arizona (the husband)
• spring break hiking in Sedona, Arizona (me) This is when the husband will finally get his first taste of cat litterbox duty (note: it ain’t pretty).
• spa weekend in Baden-Baden Wisconsin (together)
• long weekend in Miami, Florida, for the Formula 1 race (the husband)

We’re hoping the husband’s second attempt at solo desert bikepacking will be more successful than his first.

Summer—a return to our humble roots as we camp, hike, cycle, and soak our way around north central Colorado, after which I will glam it up a bit with my mom on my first trip to San Diego. (Bonus: another break from poop-scooping duty.)

• Colorado hot springs trip with the Bobbie (together)
• San Diego (my mom and me)

Bobbie rested in the driveway last summer while we flew to California for our catsit. He’s now ready for some adventure.

Fall (*tentative*)—not sure yet how I feel about this one. Then again, I somehow achieved Silver Medallion™ status with Delta® for 2022 (the husband says it’s down to the new hues sprouting from my head) and I should probably maximize travel while I have its rewards and privileges . . . and can lord it over the husband, a lowly, non-metallic SkyMiles™ member.

• Austin, Texas, for the Circuit of the Americas Formula 1 race (together, but I won’t go anywhere near a motorsport event)

No thanks. I’ll be poolside if you need me. Source: http://www.circuitoftheamericas.com

Winter—the season of tinsel-trimmed cacti and Speedo™-clad Santas?

• Christmas in Death Valley (together)

This is how we usually experience Death Valley. How delightfully odd it will be to visit in winter.

And that, folks, will be a wrap . . . on both a great year of travel and, most likely, my Silver Medallion™ status. 😦

We want to resume international travel as much as anyone, but until the planning, prep, and execution stops turning my hair gray silver, the lower 48 will be our playground.

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Now over to you: What are your 2022 travel plans? Are you willing to go abroad yet? Is your hair turning silver?

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And because this post has generated several comments from people marveling that our travels are all planned out for the coming year, I’ll direct you to this post:

How Far Ahead Do YOU Plan?

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**May Update**: Forget Austin in the fall.  I’m now trying to convince the husband to do Savannah, Georgia, instead.  Wish me luck!