The Best Way To Change Your Itinerary During COVID-19

The best way to change your itinerary during COVID-19. Some might be wondering how to do it? What’s the best way to do it? As everyone knows we’ve been planning to visit Austin, Texas and we will be stopping by a total of eight major cities along the routes and total five US States. At first, I wanted to change our mode of accommodation to camping as it feels safer but Nate wanted to stick with the plan in staying in a hotel since its too much work to set up the tent every few days. But due to the rise up in numbers of COVID-19 in the States, we decided to reroute.

To be honest, Nate, was the one who surely wants to not continue the trip as it concerned him that me and Keira easily get strep throat and or easily get sick. It takes a lot of consideration and of course, we asked the kids too. The kids agreed with us to not continue the trip to Austin, Texas but find another route instead.

Glad we all agreed to not pursue it as it gets nearer and or the day before our trip our Governor announced the lists of States that we need to quarantine when we get back from our trip. And if Nate gets sick the company won’t pay sick leave.  In the end, I feel like God is helping us planned this trip as I could have to pick Delaware, too but glad I didn’t.

Mapping

I went to a website that has a daily update in every State including deaths and how many current positive cases and if it’s getting better or worsts. It helps me a lot.

There were two routes I considered doing first, Tobyhanna, Pennsylvania, Delaware, and West Virginia. Second, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont. I choose the second route as it is more States to visit and the distance is pretty close together.

First Option for smaller cases for COVID-19

Second Option

Planning

It took me two days to read and research and plot the places we wanted to see during our visit. It’s a mess with Nate’s vacation date originally filed June 27th to July 15th and change it to June 26th to July 7th. There’s an island in Rhode Island that I wanted us to go to called Block Island a very nice hotel that is doing a 50% sale at that time. Instead of paying $500 per night, we will end up paying half but the date has to be before June 27th so I have to talk and ask Nate about it. At first, they have a room and the date is the problem. I lost the room in minutes when I called back they said it’s already booked. Sigh… I honestly, feel disappointed as the hotels in Block Island can be very expensive. But oh well! Better luck next time.

As I mentioned above I canceled Maine but two days before our scheduled trip my sister-in-law told us that Maine lifted their 14 days quarantine to New Yorkers. Our scheduled date to go home is July 3rd due to our canceled trip to Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont.

To our surprise, we were able to continue to Maine and instead of going to Vermont and New Hampshire on the way back, I did book Hartford, Connecticut. 

We also ended up driving an extra mile to Lake George, New York on our way home as the kids been begging to swim in the pool. 

Tips:

• Make sure to book a hotel that is away from the city center or where the crowd is. With the recent situation in our country nowadays we have to be wise especially if we have kids with us.

Our final itinerary during the COVID-19 road trip

Cancellations

I was able to cancel eight total hotel rooms for our previous trip and then book the second plan route. Three days into our trip my sister-in-law contacted me and says that it is a law in Maine to do 14 days quarantine when we arrived. So I asked Nate to help me dig with the other States and see if it’s the same as in Maine. Glad we’re able to notice it before our trip and learned that Vermont and New Hampshire are the same. So I have to cancel the bookings I made.

Tips:

1. After looking at the daily updates and map for COVID-19 make sure to visit every state website and check whats their recent laws and rules for visiting their place. I made mistakes for this one to make sure you won’t do the same.
2. Make sure to always book hotel rooms that have a free cancelation policy as it will help you get your money back in case something change with your plan or an emergency happens.

Our Planned Itinerary During COVID-19

Below is our final route this year. We were not able to make it to five total States as we dreamed and wish to visit but were still ended up visiting five places.

The five places we visited have their own unique beauty and each one of them is different.

1. Mystic-Groton, Connecticut

Mystic, Connecticut was founded in 1654, and quickly rose to prominence during the clipper ship era as a shipbuilding center. It is nestled along both sides of the Mystic River and divided by the famous Mystic River Bascule Bridge, Mystic is one of Connecticut’s premier vacation destinations.

Because of its quintessential New England charm, Mystic has become known as well as being home to two of Connecticut’s most visited attractions: the Mystic Seaport and the Mystic Aquarium. It’s also nearby Ocean Beach Park is 20 minutes or so drive away. Here is the link to our trip to Mystic “Why Choose To Visit Mystic, Connecticut During the Pandemic?”  and if you want to read more about Mystic, Connecticut read here.

       2. South Kingstown Rhode Island

In 1722 South Kingstown was formed and when the former Kings Towne was split into two parts, the other being North, Kingstown.

A narrow strip of land running along the eastern bank of the Pettaquamscutt River to the shore of Narragansett Bay was separated from South Kingstown to form the town of Narragansett in the year 1888.

South Kingstown, Rhode Island is located in Washington County and the largest town by land and water in Rhode Island.

Most of the beaches are a few minute’s drives away.

Nearby Beaches

1. Scarborough Beach
2. Roger Wheeler State Beach
3. East Matunok State Beach
4. Charlestown Breachway State Beach
5. East Beach State Beach
6. Misquamicut Beach
7. Salty Brine State Beach
8. Easton’s Beach

Here are the two articles I wrote about our visit to the area of South Kingstown, Rhode Island: The Perfect Place To Be and South Kingstown, Rhode Island: The Perfect Place To Be (Part2). 

       3. Bar Harbor, Maine

Bar Harbor in Maine is located in Mount Desert Island and is the largest idyllic town on the island. The name Harbor came from the famous sandbar that connects Bar Island to the mainland at low tide. It is home to the famous Acadia National Park the second park in the nation that is most visited by visitors. It can easily be accessed by boat and car. Here is our trip to Maine Bar Harbor, Maine: Is Your Family Adventure Lovers?!.

       4. Hartford, Connecticut

Hartford Connecticut is the capital city of Connecticut. The oldest and most historic place in America. The city has a lot to offer and is home for the State business and entertainment.

The 1874 mansion of Mark Twain includes thousands of artifacts, the unique architecture inside the house that is well maintained as of today can be seen in Hartford. Elizabeth Rose Garden a public park in Hartford, Connecticut that is known as the third largest rose garden in the country and the first and or oldest rose garden in America. 

Here is our experience visiting the State of Connecticut Why Choose To Visit Mystic, Connecticut During the Pandemic?.

       5. Lake George, New York

Lake George is a town in Warren County that offers a lot of activities to any tourists from hiking the mountains to the lakes. There are so many bars, pubs, and restaurants to dine in the area.

The town is only four hours away from New York City and is a great destination to visit during the summer through the winter.

One of the popular things to do in Lake George is swimming in Million Dollar Beach. The lake is in a decent size and has some picnic tables around.

Other popular places to visit are

1. World Awareness Children Museums in Glen Falls
2. Adirondack Folk School in Lake Suzenne
3. Riding the boat around the lake
4. Book a parasailing and or hot air balloon especially during the fall season.

Summary

We are all thriving in this unprecedented time and all of us are trying to continue to live in our own ways. But we must be considerate with others who wanted to still enjoy outdoors by doing our part social distance and keep six feet with others, wear a mask to protect you, your loved ones and strangers who’re somebody love ones too.

All these places are great places to enjoy the outdoors. There are people who practice freedom and not wear their masks as they don’t like to be told to. For people who have an immune deficiency if you can stay home the better. Especially this summer more people are out because of the great weather and not everyone will follow the laws.

If you ever need to spend time with nature do your research and the earlier you go the better. That’s how we do it. Stay away from major cities as they can still be crowded.

If you wanted to travel during this pandemic and wondering how we plan our road trip click it here.

Please check the COVID-19 update on the CDC website and each State’s current information before you travel. Be wise and travel safely! Stay home is much safer!

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