Villagers heading home for summer.

[Cheapbas]

Interested in opinions from snowbirds and/or full time Residents, if you had to travel 1000 miles at the end of the month, how would you do it? Air, automobile, other. What would you do, or what are you going to do? Maybe add short rationale.

Dorothy glass slippers or Star Trek advice not needed at this time.

Thanks

[Stu from NYC]

I would be afraid to stay at a hotel who knows how well they cleaned since last occupant. Would have to sleep in our car and not something we would want to do at this age.

Waiting for things to be better and will do a road trip out west.

[manaboutown]

I would not fly that distance except in an extreme emergency. Airports and planes are the problem. I myself need to drive 800 miles in a few weeks, a trip which I normally fly. I used to drive that distance in one day but that was 15 years ago when I was of course much younger. I do not want to be in an accident. I will need to opt for a hotel but I will choose it carefully, take my own pillow, towels and bedroll. It will be a stop where I can walk directly into the room from my car, no lobbies. I want to be careful but not paranoid.

[Fredman]

Drove 975 miles straight through 17 hours. Did not want to stop at motels. Left at 3:00 am arrived at 8:pm traffic was light the whole way back to PA

[karostay]

Have summer home on a lake in Maine .Were Still here for ????..also have class C motor home ..Plan is if and when for now Maine is still shut down
Fill fridge fill water tank..Stop for fuel and sleep where ever

[tophcfa]

I would not fly anytime soon unless it was absolutely necessary. Being trapped for over three hours in a germ tube, while breathing recirculated air, is a very bad idea. I am very shortly looking at a 2,750 mile round trip drive to/from our Villages home. When we headed up north from our Villages home on February 29th, we expected to return to the Villages in three weeks. For obvious reasons, we did not return. Even though I really don’t want to, I have no choice but to make the drive. Stuff at our home needs to be taken care of. I am sure there are several science projects growing in our refrigerator. I can only imagine what the weeds look like in our garden. Preparations need to be made for the long and hot upcoming summer and hurricane season. Our yard and birdcage needs to be cleared of items that could easily become projectiles in a hurricane and our A/C needs it’s annual maintenance.

I will make the round trip drive in the pick-up truck, with the cap on the back, and an inflatable mattress in the truck bed. I will have lots of good food packed in a big cooler. It will be a two day drive each way with a stop in a Wallmart parking lot to sleep in the back of the truck. Bringing lots of hand sanitizer, face masks, disinfect whips, and a spray bottle of bleach for gas and restroom stops. At least gas is cheap. Plus, after being in isolation for over two months, it will be nice to finally get out and about. I am very much looking forward to spending some time in the Villages. I haven’t swam a lap or played golf for wayyyyyyyyyy toooooooo loooong!

[tophcfa]

Have summer home on a lake in Maine .Were Still here for ????..also have class C motor home ..Plan is if and when for now Maine is still shut down
Fill fridge fill water tank..Stop for fuel and sleep where ever

We have a Maine beach house rented for a week in August. Unfortunately, the Governor of Maine has said that out of state visitors are required to self quarantine for 14 days when entering the state. The order is in place through August. So technically, we can’t even go because we are there for less than 14 days. The Maine tourism industry is up in arms over the order, so hopefully it will be reconsidered?

[RobertWR]

We flew back to Ohio February 23rd, thinking we would return to TV 2 to 3 weeks later. We would always fly except once we brought a car to TV, 13 hour drive straight thru. We will not fly at this time, plan on driving returning early June driving straight thru.

The airlines took all the direct flights away, for now, direct flight was less than 2 hours. Once everything opens including Disney I expect the direct flights will return.

So we rent a car and drive, want to get back!

[valuemkt]

1000 miles on a direct flight is about 2.5 hours. planes are pretty empty right now, as are airports. They are not serving beverages, so buy a bottle of water after passing security, and have some wipes with you.. For most Village people, 1000 mile car trip is a long haul. At least a two day trip. Sleeping in a car is ludicrous. The few hotels that are open have new sanitized processes in place. Stay in a national brand, not a no tell motel for cheap. You might be overnighting in a state that hasnt opened restaurants yet, so you;ll be doing drive thru's at McDonalds or the like. If you're going straight up north from here, you could consider AutoTrain. My buddy that winters in Ft Myers takes that to Virginia and then drives to Central NY.. But I think thats one overnight in the train, and perhaps one when he gets off in VA. It might get down to whether you have a car in both places and if it makes sense to store one down here .. or if you have one waiting for you up there.. Me, not considering the car situation, wouldnt think twice about flying .. Fastest and safest, IMO. At the same time, I'm a veteran flyer, TSA, CLEAR, and flew throughout my business life. Hope this helps

[trueorange]

We had the occasion recently to travel one state over (ESSENTIAL BUSINESS in case you were wondering) and the national brand motel we stayed in was extremely clean. We have stayed at this particular motel before. The scent of disinfectants was in the air and even the remote control to the TV was wrapped in plastic which at least gave the impression that it had been sanitized. The motel was only about 1/3 full. The "free" breakfast buffet had been discontinued for the duration but that probably only upped the cleanliness notch because when you think about it, during the non-pandemic times that would be a major breeding ground for all kinds of germs. I say, use your common sense, wash your hands and travel. Now, I wouldn't want to stay in a NYC hotel, a Detroit hotel, New Orleans might be iffy, etc., but the rest of the US hinterland is bound to be somewhat safe. No sense in hiding or driving when tired because that for sure is a risky behavior.

[Rapscallion St Croix]

Leaving home for the summer in our motorhome. We will self-isolate to the same degree we do here except we will be in mountain air.

[memason]

We're leaving in the morning for....well, I don't know where, for how long or how far... We'll not be staying in any hotels or doing any flying. We have to be in Vegas in late September, so eventually get out that way.

[brianherlihy]

live in bedford nh . and I drive right thru . 1395 miles / no hotel:bigbow: :MOJE_whot:

[Boomer]

We're leaving in the morning for....well, I don't know where, for how long or how far... We'll not be staying in any hotels or doing any flying. We have to be in Vegas in late September, so eventually get out that way.

Oh my! memason,

I saw that picture. Are you a country-western star? That is a gorgeous machine. I never much thought about motorhomes before, but could be that very soon the motorhome market, and all that entails, will be really hot. Have fun! :)

Boomer

[fdpaq0580]

We're leaving in the morning for....well, I don't know where, for how long or how far... We'll not be staying in any hotels or doing any flying. We have to be in Vegas in late September, so eventually get out that way.

Nice looking rig. Drive safely and have a great trip.

[John_W]

Oh my! memason,

I never much thought about motorhomes before, but could be that very soon the motorhome market, and all that entails, will be really hot.

Boomer

If you do get serious about an RV, a fellow in my golf group has been looking far and near for months and he said LaMesa RV in Sanford has the best prices in the state.

New and Used Motorhomes & RVs For Sale - Huge Selection of New and Used Motorohomes! (https://www.lamesarv.com/search/keywordsearch?keyword=Winnebago%20Travato&utm_source=Google&utm_medium=PPC&utm_campaign=Brand&utm_term=Lamesarv&utm_content=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwzN71BRCOARIsAF8pjfgdhnCZE5JU47UaXwgv Ngm_SPG9k_cscVrfn8oztsMsH836I3H0l3EaAinmEALw_wcB)

[canyonblue]

Being trapped for over three hours in a germ tube, while breathing recirculated air, is a very bad idea.

That is probably the most widely circulated rumor on how an aircraft cabin air system works. It's almost as bad as the STD in The Villages rumor.

THE TRUTH ABOUT CABIN AIR

Filthy, germ-laden, rotten, disgusting, wretched, skanky, rancid, putrid, fetid, and fart-filled are just a few of the adjectives used to describe cabin air, and legion are the accounts of flyers allegedly made ill by microscopic pathogens circulating throughout a plane. In reality, the air is very clean.

On all modern aircraft, passengers and crew breathe a mixture of fresh and recirculated air. Using this combination rather than fresh air only makes it easier to regulate temperature and helps maintain a bit of humidity (more on the humidity in a moment). The supply is bled from the compressor sections of the engines. Compressed air is very hot, but the compressors only compress; there is no contact with combustion gasses. From there it is plumbed into air conditioning units for cooling. It’s then ducted into the cabin through louvers, vents, and the eyeball gaspers above your seat. The AC units are known to pilots as “packs.” That’s an acronym for pneumatic air cycle kit. Usually there are two per plane.

The air circulates until eventually it is drawn into the lower fuselage, where about half of it is vented overboard—sucked out by the pressurization outflow valve. The remaining portion is remixed with a fresh supply from the engines and run through filters, and the cycle begins again.

Studies have shown that a crowded airplane is no more germ-laden than other enclosed spaces—and usually less. Those underfloor filters are described by manufacturers as being of hospital quality. I needn’t be reminded that hospitals are notorious viral incubators, but Boeing says that between 94 and 99.9 percent of airborne microbes are captured, and there’s a total changeover of air every two or three minutes — far more frequently than occurs in offices, movie theaters, or classrooms.

[Mhartt]

Maine, except the counties near Portland and Penobscot county are opening under restrictions today. To come in from out of state you are still required to self quarantine for 14 days until August 1. As was said earlier, Maine tourism, Maine Hospitality is up in arms so hopefully things will change.

[bionorse1]

Interested in opinions from snowbirds and/or full time Residents, if you had to travel 1000 miles at the end of the month, how would you do it? Air, automobile, other. What would you do, or what are you going to do? Maybe add short rationale.

Dorothy glass slippers or Star Trek advice not needed at this time.

Thanks
We drove 1400 miles in 23 hours. Only stopped for gas. Didn't even use their bathroom. Never want to do that again.

[Puddin]

We just completed 1200 mile trip last week from TV back to Tulsa. As usual we drove but debated long and hard whether to drive straight through or stay in our usual Holiday Inn Express. We decided the risks of two 72 year olds driving 20+ hours with 6-8 of those during darkness was greater than staying at a hotel. We took our wipes, sprays, etc and wiped down the room before we unloaded. It was the right decision. The hotel setup is quite different with no buffet breakfast, lobby workers isolated behind plexiglass and no direct access to self
serve coffee. Breakfast is cold variety and ordered and picked up in a sack at lobby

[thelegges]

Bigger fear is a bunch of seniors, who have never driven 8 hours straight, much less 12 or more. If I had to I would fly, with a 95 and multiple gloves. You might be safer than a drive you don’t normally do

[macmen54]

We drove for 23 hours straight to get home, We only stopped for gas, we had packed food to eat on the way. We rotated drivers, it worked well, we actually found we were less tired then when we took the two days.

[jamorela]

[QUOTE=Cheapbas;1762484]Interested in opinions from snowbirds and/or full time Residents, if you had to travel 1000 miles at the end of the month, how would you do it? Air, automobile, other. What would you do, or what are you going to do? Maybe add short rationale.

Flying to PA in two weeks. Not really wanting to but necessary.

[skyking]

We intended to fly but the flight was cancelled so we drove. Stayed in a nice motel. Very clean and food was served in take out bags. Also used the bathrooms in the gas station and fast food restaurant. Oh my! I hope that we survive!

[Drdoug49]

We left April 30 for New England, we stayed at national chains that were all rated highly for cleanliness. Also stayed in rural areas with low incidence of cov-19
If you stay at national chains that get extremely high reviews for cleanliness and use common sense you should be ok

[Nucky]

Our trip to N.J. is about 1100 miles. Breaking it up into two days always was ideal. We even talked about doing it in 3 days next time. Why not?

The recent developments have changed my thoughts. I can't think about staying in a hotel at all and I just can't get comfortable sleeping in a car in a truck stop. Maybe

at one time but that ship has sailed. Looked into renting a nice and functional Class A, B, or C but the units are used and they show it. No better than staying in a hotel.

What are we gonna do? At one point we were avid campers but it was a while ago. Well, I guess I have my mission set for today. Thanks for the idea. I think I can rule out The Charlie Daniels Class A. Too much for me to handle. We'll see.

Those posters who mention nice hotels. Could you please mention the name. Maybe you came up with a simple answer that isn't such a big commitment. Thanks.

[DanBrew]

Before all this crapola, I flew alot and always took wipes with me to wipe down the tray and armrests, and I was usually the lucky one to get the 300 pounder next to me. Frontier is actually fogging the inside of their planes and wiping down everything and they have state of the art HEPA filters. Good things are coming out of this mess. Hope Wins! Just be sensible and you will be fine.

[John Quenell]

We left TV eight weeks ago, much earlier than planned, and drove nonstop to our home in rural northern New York. We had originally planned to fly but that seemed inadvisable --- too much close contact there. For the same reason we decided not to make overnight stays, so we drove straight through with only a few short stops for fuel and rest, making it in 27 hours. One positive observation: the traffic is decidedly lighter at night, which was helpful as we passed through Virginia and Pennsylvania.

[Gobragh]

I drive to Maine every summer. I usually make 2 stops on the way up. I'm re-thinking that. I may only make one stop. I'm packing sanitizer and cleaning everything I contact on the way up.
If guidelines change, I'll change my plans as needed.

[daca55]

Leaving for N.H. in June. We usually take two nights but this time we will only stay one night at someplace that is half the distance which would be about 750 miles. We are taking some food and drinks, plenty of gloves, masks, wipes, hand sanitizer and bedding. We usually stay at Hampton Inn which we find very clean. The plan is to wear gloves when getting gas, wear masks in the hotel, disinfect all the areas in the room, put tv remote in a plastic bag and use it in the bag, wear mask when sleeping and remove comforter from bed and sleep on our own bedding and pillows. The Hampton Inns have a new protocol in place to ensure distancing and sanitizing of rooms also. We will share the driving and hopefully have an event less trip. We will have to quarantine for two weeks in N.H. so we are employing my son to get groceries for us. Don’t like driving that distance in one day but better than trying to drive straight through. It’s sad how our lives have been changed but no one said life would be easy. Don’t stop living but be careful out there. Stay safe!!

[Villagesgal]

I fly back home to Seattle. Air is recirculated thru hepa filters that clean 99.8 of virus out of the air. Planes are almost empty as is the airport. Planes are faster and safer than driving. If you are driving a short distance you can always catch a 4 or 5 hour nap in your car. Just lay the seats all the way back. Not much different than napping in a recliner. I've done that when driving to Buffalo, not too bad really, just be in a safe place when you do it. Safe travels however you choose to go.

[TNLAKEPANDA]

Interested in opinions from snowbirds and/or full time Residents, if you had to travel 1000 miles at the end of the month, how would you do it? Air, automobile, other. What would you do, or what are you going to do? Maybe add short rationale.

Dorothy glass slippers or Star Trek advice not needed at this time.

Thanks

We travel in the comfort of our motor home 😉

[Agentjanhusak@gmail.com]

I’m getting on a plane on June 2 with Southwest. Middle seats will apparently be empty. I’ll wear a mask in the airport and on the plane.....I need to see those grandchildren!!!

[queasy27]

Nucky, I agree about not being able to "sleep" in my car, but I can "nap" there. When I had to cover a lot of driving in a short amount of time, I'd stop as needed along the way, which turned out to be maybe 3 hours of sleep at a time. Some of it was during the day and some at night, but even traveling alone I felt safe enough at rest/truck stops. Most car seats recline fairly comfortably these days. It would be a tiring couple of days, but all options have their drawbacks.

You might also consider renting a panel van/moving truck and putting an air mattress in the back. Easier to sanitize than an entire motor home, at least.

As for hotels, I'd hope that after rooms are sanitized, they aren't re-rented for a few days to allow any virus remnants to die. Occupancy rates seem to be low enough to allow it.

[Mhollowaygleasom]

Hi Brian, small world. My husband and I recently sold our Bedford, NH home and retired to our home here. We absolutely loved Bedford. Just thought I’d say hello.
Andrew & Mary Gleason

[karostay]

We have a Maine beach house rented for a week in August. Unfortunately, the Governor of Maine has said that out of state visitors are required to self quarantine for 14 days when entering the state. The order is in place through August. So technically, we can’t even go because we are there for less than 14 days. The Maine tourism industry is up in arms over the order, so hopefully it will be reconsidered?

Maine has a summer tourist season of 12 weeks
If they lose Memorial Day weekend it will be a economic disaster
They lost winter sports season doesn't economical look good
I was resident 20 years, became a frog now due to Maine guidelines not welcomed back .

Le Page is moving back to Maine.
Unfortunately Maine will have to endure another year of a lame duck

[Daxdog]

So, when are you snowbirds leaving?

[jarodrig]

Interested in opinions from snowbirds and/or full time Residents, if you had to travel 1000 miles at the end of the month, how would you do it? Air, automobile, other. What would you do, or what are you going to do? Maybe add short rationale.

Dorothy glass slippers or Star Trek advice not needed at this time.

Thanks

I apologize has mentioned this as I don’t feel like reading through 3 pages of posts .....

For those traveling by car and plan on staying in a hotel or motel along the way , it would be prudent to check the place you plan on stopping overnight.

Reason I mention this is that a friend is making a sort of “emergency” trip to Vermont due to his mother’s failing and rapidly declining health and when he tried to book a room at a local hotel he was told that they were closed !! No, not booked up ..... just plain closed and not open for business at this time .....

He will be staying with a friend for a few days .....

[judithamorrison]

Beautiful motor home!

[Michael Charles]

Have summer home on a lake in Maine .Were Still here for ????..also have class C motor home ..Plan is if and when for now Maine is still shut down
Fill fridge fill water tank..Stop for fuel and sleep where ever

You're lucky to have the class C to use. Wal-Mart's are a great overnight stop. Also if you're not familiar look for the Flying J truckstops. They have designated RV overnight parking and offer dump stations as well. Also overnight parking is allowed at the cracker Barrel restaurants. Safe travels!

[davem4616]

for years we drove a car to Ft Lauderdale from Boston in the fall and back again in the spring...close to 1300 miles

We'd leave around 4am the 1st day to get beyond NYC by 9am...but we'd never drive more than 9 or 10 hours a day (today I might drive longer...but never straight through...my reflexes aren't what they used to be to begin with)

If I had to travel north today I'd drive...and like we did before, we'd pack lunch, food to make more lunches and frozen dinners that we prepared (the frozen food eliminates the need to carry cold packs or ice)

like in the past we'd stay in a Residence Inn, or those like it that offer a mini kitchen, so that we could avoid restaurants and enjoy our own food

I'd ask the desk clerk upon arrival for a room that has been unoccupied for at least the past 3 days (shouldn't be difficult, as travel is way down)

when I gassed up the car I'd use an old plastic grocery store bag as a glove and discard it in the trash

the rest rooms in the rest areas are usually kept clean...but, ya gotta go, ya gotta go

and use hand sanitizer whenever we got out of the car

[danbryan]

We just traveled 1;250 miles north. One night in motel. Wife Lysol sprayed/wiped every surface before bringing items in. Easy trip. Rest rooms and food clean and available. Recommend driving

[xcaligirl]

We're leaving in the morning for....well, I don't know where, for how long or how far... We'll not be staying in any hotels or doing any flying. We have to be in Vegas in late September, so eventually get out that way.
Have a safe trip!

[HimandMe]

We drove for 23 hours straight to get home, We only stopped for gas, we had packed food to eat on the way. We rotated drivers, it worked well, we actually found we were less tired then when we took the two days.
The last time we did that over 5 years ago was the very last time. Never again. You get to a point where you are not even aware how tired you are but by the grace of God, we made it.

[RVMinor]

Recently traveled back to Missouri. One night Tuscaloosa at Residence Inn. Low occupancy and room had not been occupied since March. Felt safe. Rest areas not so clean!

[Lynndise]

I too have no fear about flying at this time. Flew back to Boston. Just sanitize, wear mask and you’ll be fine. Planes are cleaner now than ever.

[La lamy]

Interested in opinions from snowbirds and/or full time Residents, if you had to travel 1000 miles at the end of the month, how would you do it? Air, automobile, other. What would you do, or what are you going to do? Maybe add short rationale.

Dorothy glass slippers or Star Trek advice not needed at this time.

Thanks

My commute from TV to home is 1265 miles and I go by car. I hope to never have to take a plane again since it's been a horrible experience since Sept 11th 2001 and I prefer having my car with me at all times. I stop at a hotel after 12 hours the first day, and have an extra 9 or 10 hours to drive the next day. I drive alone, but if you have another driver in the car it should be pretty easy.

[Joe C.]

I don't mind flying if I'm going on an arranged group vacation (tour) where hotels, and transportation are provided. I'll even go on a cruise (did two so far this year) and be very comfortable.
However, if I'm heading up north to visit family, I prefer to drive (car or truck, doesn't matter which) so that once there, I'm free to travel around and not depend on others for transportation.
I like the idea of airlines leaving the middle seat empty, even if it means a 50% price increase.

[tlweldy]

Drove 1050 miles a week ago and stop 3 times for gas. Drove straight through to IN. Packed a few snacks and drinks. Used wipes at the gas pumps and after a bathroom visit. Stopped at a rest area for a bathroom break. Surprised the restroom was fairly clean. Still used wipes and sanitizer. Traffic was light to moderate. We noticed that most of the hotels were open and were pretty full based on the cars in the parking lots.

[Stephanie Peltier]

auto train

[Nacoma]

Traveled 1,454 miles in 20hrs back to Maine. Traveled 900 miles the first day and stayed at the Hampton Inn on the north side on Hagerstown MD. Very clean, we brought a set of our own sheets for the bed and just wiped everything down that you’d normally touch as extra precaution. Traveled the remaining route the second day and was home by 2:00pm. We made our own lunches and ate as we traveled. We did stop at some rest stops along the way which were of no problem because most often you were the person in there! Traffic was extremely light the entire way making it easy trip. Our route traveled was 75 to Ocala then 301 to 200 to 95 to 26 to 77 to 81 to 84 to 90 to 290 to 495 then 95 into Maine. because of the light traffic we made it in record time. Normally it takes us about 21 to 22 hours. This time just 20 hours! Hope this info helps! This Covid-19 is like the threat of terrorism. It’s something to be taken seriously but don’t let it control your lives. Everything we do in life comes with a level of risk. What we can do to minimize those risk and go on living our normal lives is what’s most important! So all be safe as possible and live your lives without fear! 🤔😉

[Katieburr]

Agreed! My husband and I are supposed to be in South Dakota for the summer right now but we are still here. We are so cautious now of flying, being in airports, being in crowds, and being near people who ignore the simple precautions. We would drive, but we’re pretty cautious too, about hotel rooms and eating in roadside restaurants. If we don’t make it back to South Dakota it’s ok. We have learned to adapt to so many things already.

[Poirier]

Have summer home on a lake in Maine .Were Still here for ????..also have class C motor home ..Plan is if and when for now Maine is still shut down
Fill fridge fill water tank..Stop for fuel and sleep where ever

We're from Southern Maine originally. I hear that anyone coming in Maine is automatically put on a 2 week quarantine and it's effective until August. Our daughter was supposed to come and visit us and we're waiting, patiently, until they lift it.
:pray:

[Rickg]

My wife was concerned about getting up to see kids and G. Kids in the Midwest, we’ve been flying or driving over two days in the past. Unfortunately I have a compromised immune system. We‘ve had motorhomes and RV trailers for many years in the past. Since we already have a almost new tow vehicle we bought a 24’ RV trailer three weeks ago. Now we plan on enjoying the drive and take three days or more depending on our side trips along the way.

[sktb888]

Interested in opinions from snowbirds and/or full time Residents, if you had to travel 1000 miles at the end of the month, how would you do it? Air, automobile, other. What would you do, or what are you going to do? Maybe add short rationale.

Dorothy glass slippers or Star Trek advice not needed at this time.

Thanks

Hubs and I are snow birds at this time. We left The Villages early due to the virus and would love to fly back at the end of the month. Unfortunately, we probably won't fly again until there is a vaccine or the very least medication to combat the virus. As much as we hope and pray things will soon get back to normal, we are not going to sacrifice our lives for the good of the economy.

We would fly, in answer to your question.

Good luck and stay well.

[alicevt]

We drove to VT on May 1, stayed in rural North Carolina in a Days Inn. We brought our own sheets and sprayed everything solid when we entered. Ate food we brought with us. Stopped a few times a day at truck stops to use the restrooms. We have been home 8 days in self quarantine and feel fine! It is cold here! We had frost one morning and the high will be 52 today. There was little traffic and although we usually stay over twice, we were OK with just one night. 1400 miles so doable.

[Decadeofdave]

Driving is preferred for me. I would check the county of a possible hotel stay to see if they have a small or no covid cases.

[daveb48]

[QUOTE=Cheapbas;1762484]Interested in opinions from snowbirds and/or full time Residents, if you had to travel 1000 miles at the end of the month, how would you do it? Air, automobile, other. What would you do, or what are you going to do? Maybe add short rationale.

We travel back and forth between TV and Michigan in a 35-foot motorhome, so basically are self contained. We left TV mid-April and had no problems traveling back to Michigan, approx. 1100 miles. Stayed overnight at WalMarts and prepared meals in motorhome.

[Old Max]

Have summer home on a lake in Maine .Were Still here for ????..also have class C motor home ..Plan is if and when for now Maine is still shut down
Fill fridge fill water tank..Stop for fuel and sleep where ever

Also have a place on a lake in Maine. Leaving in a couple of weeks. Auto train to Va. then straight thru to Maine. Rather be quarantined at the lake.

[Loronthego]

We just drove from The Villages to northeastern Ohio, over 1000 miles. It took us 15 hours. We left at 6 AM got home at 9 PM No traffic whatsoever. Actually a very easy drive once you have your mindset. We stopped twice for takeout, bathroom, and gas. keep in mind a lot of gas stations do not allow you to use their bathroom right now. Rest areas are open for restroom use.
We will be returning to the villages in a month or two. It was such an easy drive we do not have any issues with driving back. We preferred to fly but will play that by ear when we are ready to come back.

[tophcfa]

We're from Southern Maine originally. I hear that anyone coming in Maine is automatically put on a 2 week quarantine and it's effective until August. Our daughter was supposed to come and visit us and we're waiting, patiently, until they lift it.
:pray:

Maine has four stages of reopening. They are in very restrictive stage one until June, then enter stage two for the month of June, and then enter stage three in July. As of now, stage three is in place through the end of August. During the first three stages, all out of state visitors are required to quarantine for 14 days upon entering the state. That effectively closes out of state tourism for the entire prime summer season. If these restrictions are not relaxed it is anticipated that over half of the states lodging and restaurants will be forced to permanently close. VERY SAD

[Laker14]

We are renters, and we chose to head back to NY State on April 8. We had the option to stay at least through April. We drove down, and drove back. My normal procedure would be to break it down to two or three days, staying in inns, and/or family, but with the coronavirus issue we opted to drive it all in one day. Left TV at 4:40AM and arrived home at 11:30.. It wasn't as bad as I thought, and if I hadn't gotten myself lost (all my GPS's fault of course) in DC, it wouldn't have been too bad at all. Normally it would be hell, but the traffic was light.

[Bilyclub]

Made two trips back and forth in the last month or so. Back in early April the interstates were quiet with just truck traffic. Last week it was a totally different story. The roads were pretty full and the rest areas had enough people in them to make me nervous. Hate the hand dryers, especially now blowing the virus around.

[ChicagoNative]

We’re heading back to the People’s Republic of Illinois in just over 2 weeks. We have a cat and dog so we drive and will spend one overnight in Tennessee. LaQuinta and Red Roof allow animals and almost all of them have outside doors that don’t require traversing a lobby. We’ll bring our own disinfectant spray and sanitizer and use accordingly.

The states through which we will pass are already pretty much open, so as long as we can find a rest stop and some fast food for the trip, we’ll be fine, as I suspect most will be.

[tophcfa]

We’re heading back to the People’s Republic of Illinois in just over 2 weeks. We have a cat and dog so we drive and will spend one overnight in Tennessee. LaQuinta and Red Roof allow animals and almost all of them have outside doors that don’t require traversing a lobby. We’ll bring our own disinfectant spray and sanitizer and use accordingly.

The states through which we will pass are already pretty much open, so as long as we can find a rest stop and some fast food for the trip, we’ll be fine, as I suspect most will be.

When we drive with the dog it’s either La Quinta or Best Western. After the last couple of Red Roof Inns, never again.

[DALEPQ]

We are seasonal owners from northern WI
Here Dec.-mid-May, planning to head back, end of this week.
Not excited to do that as our WI governor is an idiot, basing the shut down on Milwaukee,
we are several hundred miles north, with ZERO cases on our county, but still locked down.
For the ride back (1400+ miles) will need to stay 2 nights, will do it in a reputable chain
motel, just can't handle a straight thru drive.
We have had 4 different friends come here renting in the high months, then driving back to WI, they had little
car traffic, and did stay in reputable chain motels with NO known problems. Said all
were very clean , and all had precautions taken.
Can't rely on "Big Brother" to keep us away from every possible condition, just need to do good self control.

[billethkid]

We're leaving in the morning for....well, I don't know where, for how long or how far... We'll not be staying in any hotels or doing any flying. We have to be in Vegas in late September, so eventually get out that way.

That is the way we travel. No real "schedule". Just destination(s).

[GerryA]

I would bring my tent and camp out!

[polaris]

I just flew here on Southwest. There were 18 people on the flight so plenty of seating which for reasons unknown didn’t stop one man from sitting right behind me and another man right across from me on the aisle. Go figure. I got up and moved further back where I had several empty rows surrounding me. Masks were not required for passengers but the crew wore them. No food or beverage service but you could bring your own. The first 5 or so rows were blocked off and not available to passengers.
The Orlando airport was practically deserted which was surreal but stores and some food places were open.
It was the least stressful flight I’ve ever been on.

[canyonblue]

As far as the safety of flying goes, don't you think that if it was so dangerous to your health to fly, and that pilots and flight attendants who on average fly 80 hours a month, that they would be calling out sick in masses and there would be nobody left to work the flights?

[UpNorth]

Maine has four stages of reopening. They are in very restrictive stage one until June, then enter stage two for the month of June, and then enter stage three in July. As of now, stage three is in place through the end of August. During the first three stages, all out of state visitors are required to quarantine for 14 days upon entering the state. That effectively closes out of state tourism for the entire prime summer season. If these restrictions are not relaxed it is anticipated that over half of the states lodging and restaurants will be forced to permanently close. VERY SAD

Just curious: How exactly do they know you just arrived and how do they monitor you for the 14 days? Do they put one of those ankle bracelets on you? My guess is that it is pure voluntary, unless the local government is spending a lot of time and money watching all the new arrivals.

[Lil GTO]

We just drove 1340 miles from Houston TX to our home in TV and no problems. Hotels and restaurants open for dine in and pick up. Plenty of places to stop and all gas stations open.

I would’ve flown but we’re staying a month and cost of rental car is too much for a month.

Interested in opinions from snowbirds and/or full time Residents, if you had to travel 1000 miles at the end of the month, how would you do it? Air, automobile, other. What would you do, or what are you going to do? Maybe add short rationale.

Dorothy glass slippers or Star Trek advice not needed at this time.

Thanks

[kenoc7]

I would not fly that distance except in an extreme emergency. Airports and planes are the problem. I myself need to drive 800 miles in a few weeks, a trip which I normally fly. I used to drive that distance in one day but that was 15 years ago when I was of course much younger. I do not want to be in an accident. I will need to opt for a hotel but I will choose it carefully, take my own pillow, towels and bedroll. It will be a stop where I can walk directly into the room from my car, no lobbies. I want to be careful but not paranoid.

IMO taking your own, pillow, towel and bedroll is being paranoid. Friends drove 1500 miles a while ago, stayed in hotels 3 night, had no problems and are still healthy.

[tophcfa]

Just curious: How exactly do they know you just arrived and how do they monitor you for the 14 days? Do they put one of those ankle bracelets on you? My guess is that it is pure voluntary, unless the local government is spending a lot of time and money watching all the new arrivals.

Good question, don’t know the answer. But we don’t like to break laws, so how it is enforced is irrelevant to us.

[Professor]

We will travel slightly more than that distance, about 1100 miles and we will do it all in one day. Leave at 2 AM and get there about 11 PM after time zone adjustment. We will take our own food (sandwiches and so on) and our own drinks. Gas and pit stops will be short and we will wear masks and gloves at these stops. One of us has a compromised immune system so we are not taking any chances.

How do we stay awake that long? We listen to an audio book...a long one spanning 11-12 discs usually. I could drive around the clock if I have something like that to listen to.

Before everyone gangs up and tells me how unsafe this is we have been doing this for years and I happen to be one of those people who rarely gets more than 5 hours of sleep a night (my dad was the same way actually) and functions just fine at this lower sleep level. My spouse cat-naps occasionally and keeps me company most of the trip so we do just fine. This is not for everyone though.

We have discussed how we would stay at a hotel if we need to and we are taking our own bedding, including pillows, and we have a big canvas cover to lay over a hotel bed before we put our stuff over it. Carry a plastic bag to drop the remote into (using a tissue to pick it up with) and alcohol wipes to get all the surfaces we plan to touch. We also never go barefoot in a hotel except in the shower. May be overkill but with a compromised immune system one can't be too careful.

Safe travels.

[LynneH]

If you choose to drive and possibly nap in your car, there are parking lots along I-95 North that are well lit and you can snooze safely at night.

[ron@jayron]

I would be afraid to stay at a hotel who knows how well they cleaned since last occupant. Would have to sleep in our car and not something we would want to do at this age.

Waiting for things to be better and will do a road trip out west.
Definetly by air. Driving and having to be harrassed at every state line not woth it

[Villageswimmer]

A couple posters mentioned that the middle seat in their plane will be unoccupied.

There was an article (with photo) on the Internet this morning discussing a packed cross country flight. All seats filled. This was United which has been advertising that they are not filling center seats. If this would be upsetting for you, you may want to check with your airline.

[Redstonelady]

Will the larger chains, ie, Hampton, Residence, Fairfield, etc, take people going north with Connecticut plates?

[Barborv]

We plan to drive down from NY in July. I am not a fan of driving long distances anymore. We dont want to stay at a hotel so we plan on going straight through. I even was shopping around on line for Portable YOU KNOW WHAT... Because I dont think I want to even stop at rest rooms anywhere! LOL But my main concern is falling asleep at the wheel. That's scary! I was thinking about the AMTRACT train you pick up in Virginia but I dont think that you can stay in your car, or could you? Otherwise might as well fly. Same thing.

[B-flat]

That is probably the most widely circulated rumor on how an aircraft cabin air system works. It's almost as bad as the STD in The Villages rumor.

THE TRUTH ABOUT CABIN AIR

Filthy, germ-laden, rotten, disgusting, wretched, skanky, rancid, putrid, fetid, and fart-filled are just a few of the adjectives used to describe cabin air, and legion are the accounts of flyers allegedly made ill by microscopic pathogens circulating throughout a plane. In reality, the air is very clean.

On all modern aircraft, passengers and crew breathe a mixture of fresh and recirculated air. Using this combination rather than fresh air only makes it easier to regulate temperature and helps maintain a bit of humidity (more on the humidity in a moment). The supply is bled from the compressor sections of the engines. Compressed air is very hot, but the compressors only compress; there is no contact with combustion gasses. From there it is plumbed into air conditioning units for cooling. It’s then ducted into the cabin through louvers, vents, and the eyeball gaspers above your seat. The AC units are known to pilots as “packs.” That’s an acronym for pneumatic air cycle kit. Usually there are two per plane.

The air circulates until eventually it is drawn into the lower fuselage, where about half of it is vented overboard—sucked out by the pressurization outflow valve. The remaining portion is remixed with a fresh supply from the engines and run through filters, and the cycle begins again.

Studies have shown that a crowded airplane is no more germ-laden than other enclosed spaces—and usually less. Those underfloor filters are described by manufacturers as being of hospital quality. I needn’t be reminded that hospitals are notorious viral incubators, but Boeing says that between 94 and 99.9 percent of airborne microbes are captured, and there’s a total changeover of air every two or three minutes — far more frequently than occurs in offices, movie theaters, or classrooms.


Thank you for that informed post. I really appreciate it because in the next 3 weeks I may have to fly north. On the subject of air travel I have 90 year old uncle who flew with his 70 year old friend from Tampa to the Northeast. He has not contracted corona virus.

[CFrance]

We will travel slightly more than that distance, about 1100 miles and we will do it all in one day. Leave at 2 AM and get there about 11 PM after time zone adjustment. We will take our own food (sandwiches and so on) and our own drinks. Gas and pit stops will be short and we will wear masks and gloves at these stops. One of us has a compromised immune system so we are not taking any chances.

How do we stay awake that long? We listen to an audio book...a long one spanning 11-12 discs usually. I could drive around the clock if I have something like that to listen to.


Before everyone gangs up and tells me how unsafe this is we have been doing this for years and I happen to be one of those people who rarely gets more than 5 hours of sleep a night (my dad was the same way actually) and functions just fine at this lower sleep level. My spouse cat-naps occasionally and keeps me company most of the trip so we do just fine. This is not for everyone though.

We have discussed how we would stay at a hotel if we need to and we are taking our own bedding, including pillows, and we have a big canvas cover to lay over a hotel bed before we put our stuff over it. Carry a plastic bag to drop the remote into (using a tissue to pick it up with) and alcohol wipes to get all the surfaces we plan to touch. We also never go barefoot in a hotel except in the shower. May be overkill but with a compromised immune system one can't be too careful.

Safe travels.
I will say Better you than me (only because of my aching back!) but you really have it well thought out. Obviously you know your limits. Good luck on your drive.

[spofford]

Will be driving back to New Hampshire, with one overnight stay in Virginia. Will stay at better known chains, Marriot, Holiday Inn, Hilton. Will bring food and truck stops for gas and bathroom breaks. 200 miles and rest, is my rule of thumb. Will use our sleeping bags and pillows, and lots of cleaning supplies. You can always pull in rest area for cat naps when you get sleepy. Make it a little interesting and do a little sightseeing on the way.

[rjm1cc]

The aerotrain might be an option to eliminate meal and sleeping problems.

[thelegges]

Other half drove straight thru to Michigan. Always has. I stay at a comfort inn every week, in Gainesville. Except for the first floor which is pet friendly, all rooms are sanitized and left empty for 24 hours.
They have no problem since there is usually less than 10 rooms occupied. Staff wears mask and gloves, and hand sanitizer at elevators and desk. I have no choice, and am happy with my stay.

[canyonblue]

Thank you for that informed post. I really appreciate it because in the next 3 weeks I may have to fly north. On the subject of air travel I have 90 year old uncle who flew with his 70 year old friend from Tampa to the Northeast. He has not contracted corona virus.

You're welcome. I'm glad all is well with your uncle and his friend. The airlines need passengers to return to survive. I would think that with all the precautions they need to take it would be one of the safest bets out there.

https://www.southwest.com/assets/images/responsive/airline-cleanliness-social-distance/swa-promise-sprayer-img.jpg

I can bet you won't find cleaning like this at other places we congregate.