Getting Back to Travel
Many of us are optimistic that we’re turning the corner on these strange days of COVID-19 travel. We’re cautiously booking spring or summer vacations and contemplating travel insurance just a little bit more than we used to. After the hard hits from 2020, it’s no wonder we’re all a little bit nervous for that first trip out.
Recently, we traveled to Austin, Texas, for the kids’ spring break. If you follow us on Instagram, you saw our adventures all through South Texas already. We had a great time! We felt safe for the most part. Even though it didn’t feel exactly like pre-COVID travel, it was good enough for our first real trip out.
I should tell you, we already dealt with COVID. Back in late-October, Jason was exposed at work and both he and I (and my sister, whom we saw on Halloween) tested positive. Though the kids were in the thick of our illness, thankfully, they did not show any signs of it. We dealt with moderate symptoms and were, for the most part, back to normal by Thanksgiving. We still have antibodies and don’t overly worry about transmission as we did before. Which is one of the reasons we decided on traveling for spring break. This is not to say that we do not abide by and uphold the current CDC restrictions, on the contrary, had those restrictions been followed by Jason’s co-worker we never would have gotten sick in the first place.
Ironically, to add an extra twist to our travel, Texas removed its mask mandates and reopened all restaurants and businesses just days before we were set to arrive. Except for Austin.
So here’s how COVID travel went for us.
Airports & Airplanes
This vacation marked our first time back in the airports since a trip to Disneyland in October 2019 and we were hopeful for less crowding. Unfortunately, due to an arriving blizzard, our flight was bumped up by a few days and everyone and their uncle was trying to get the heck out of Denver before the airport shut down. It was cramped and crowded and social distancing was not a thing. However, masks of course were abundantly in use.
Once on the airplane, we kept our masks on except when eating and drinking our own snacks and water. I don’t have to wear masks during my days, because I’m at home most of the time, so the constant wearing from airport parking in Denver to car rental in Austin did get to me a little. But Jason and the kids were just fine because they do wear masks all day at work and school. They’re lucky.
Between the airports and airplanes, we did see more cleaning crews and more effort being put into sanitizing. However, all seats were full and there was no possibility of social distance before boarding or while on the plane. Keep this in mind if that is important to you.
On the way back home from Austin, the airports were a little more like I had expected. People are definitely traveling, but it was less crowded than pre-2020 levels. Our plane flight back was about 75% full.
A note - many airport restaurants and businesses have closed temporarily and permanently, sadly. This made it much harder for us to grab a meal before boarding, especially in Austin. Plan ahead and bring your own food, I’m glad we had plenty of snacks and our HydroFlasks to fill up.
Car Rental
Nothing has changed. We got in the car and there was a little note about sanitizing as well as a single packaged Clorox wipe for our use. Could we verify the extra steps? No. Did we use the Clorox wipe? Also, no.
Hotels
Due to our trip being up pushed up because of the snowstorm we actually had to find an extra hotel room for two days before we could arrive for our original hotel reservation. This meant we were able to get a feel for how two different hotels are handling COVID.
The second biggest change I noted with traveling now was the time between check-out and check-in has been widened greatly. I assume it’s to allow for germs to settle plus thorough cleaning and sanitization. Like most hotel rooms we still saw dust in corners and signs of the previous occupancy. If you are concerned about contracting COVID, I would definitely bring your own tub of Clorox wipes or Lysol spray and go through your hotel room and get all the high-touch surfaces one more time. It can’t hurt.
A few things about both hotels we stayed in:
There was no social distancing in the pool or workout areas. Nothing is enforced either. Use these areas as you feel comfortable.
Our first hotel had a free morning breakfast which consisted of individually wrapped muffins, granola bars, yogurt, and oatmeal. Much different than the buffets from before. My kids love the hotel breakfasts, so I hope this goes back to the way it used to be, eventually.
The elevator - we had some folks request to ride the elevator alone and force us to wait for the next one and then others didn’t mind packing in. We made it a rule to ask the current occupants if they minded we join them before getting on. Most didn’t mind. However, if folks weren’t wearing masks, we let them pass by and waited for the next ride.
Check-in at our first hotel was great, we did it all through their app. And the key was through the app as well. I appreciated this step because we could just go right to the room and not waste time. The second hotel, not so much.
Restaurants & Around Town
As I previously mentioned, Texas had just reopened 100% for businesses and restaurants. I have to admit it was nice to be able to go to a restaurant (or store) and not have a huge wait because of occupancy requirements. It was refreshing, like a break from our restrictions in Colorado, but I never felt uncomfortable, because restaurants are still being cautious.
However, because Austin still had a mask requirement, this piece has not changed much. Inside stores and restaurants. The biggest change I did notice is that nearly everyone here in Colorado wears their masks on hiking trails. In Texas, I only saw masks on a few people walking the Lady Bird Trail along the lake. Now that I think about it, even walking through downtown did we didn’t see many masks, especially on St. Patrick’s Day.
As for what we did for fun, well we stayed mostly outside. Primarily because we wanted to soak up the sunshine, but also because we just feel it’s safer. We went on a lot of hikes, to an amazing botanic garden, and even saw the Alamo.
All in all, this trip reassured me that most people are still trying to be safe and abide by the CDC recommendations and care for their neighbors. But we are seeing the cracks of more freedom in travel and a little less fear. On a good note, the day after we got back from vacation, Jason was able to get his first vaccine dose because he’s an essential worker and I’m hopeful I will be eligible soon as well. The faster we can all do our part, whatever that may be, the faster we can find our new normal. And travel again.
I’d love to know if you’ve traveled by airplane over the past year? What did you learn? And what tips you have. Leave them in the comments below!
