This is a new weekly blog where you tell us how you are coping with RVing during the pandemic.
By Nanci Dixon
I am finding that so many things are similar for RVers during this time of the COVID-19 pandemic. We are all having experiences that mirror each other or that provide the opportunity to learn from each other.
We are traveling very little these days and staying in campgrounds where we can have plenty of distance. Last week I asked what others are doing about traveling and social distancing. A lot of people are doing the same – traveling only when they need to, staying in places with space and having the ability to social distance.
On RVtravel.com’s new Facebook group, RVing During the Pandemic, I asked, “What are others doing about travel and social distancing?” Here’s how people answered:
Steven said that they are “Avoiding private parks with their smaller, closer together sites. We’ve chosen State and National parks with widely spaced sites. We are only moving when we have to, and certainly avoiding states with spikes [in cases], and states that refuse to follow CDC guidelines.”
Those who are full-timers and not traveling are hunkering down where they are. Helen said, “We hunkered down in a favorite RV park in Oregon and have been here since March. We have a nice space and people here are good about distancing.“
Theresa mentioned: “We’re still traveling. Working our way to our old home state of Jersey. Not avoiding any specific campgrounds. Just people. Also not ordering in or even thinking of going anywhere such as restaurants or tourist spots.”
I was surprised that several people mentioned that they have not ordered in, picked up food or gone to restaurants. We had not either, at least until I could not resist picking up a homemade Carmel Apple Pie in Cable, Wisconsin. I had never bought a $30 pie before but will admit that that still-warm pie with real (not canned) Door County apples, Dutch crumble top and whipped cream was a bit of heaven and worth every cent.
The common thread is social distancing, isolating as needed, being self-contained and masking up. As the old TV show “Hill Street Blues” signature line went, “Let’s be careful out there”.
Here are a few other comments:
“We have been RVing for over 40 years. We are currently in Oregon and due to COVID have found the NF campgrounds are all on reservations. The problem is we do not like to plan, just go with the flow. In the past, most campgrounds will hold some sites out of the reservation system for first-come, first-serve. Not any longer. Not a problem during the week, as there are usually sites available for 1-4 nights, but difficult finding a spot on weekends especially Saturday nights.”
“State Parks, U.S. Forest Service and Army Corps of Engineers campgrounds have been our go-to places where sites are separated. Our issue is more laundromats and grocery stores – some are good with masks, some we don’t go into.”
“We have been scheduling 3 days of camping each month at campgrounds within 1-1/2 hours of home (western North Carolina). Camping seems to us the safest way to travel, thus we found the closing of campgrounds confusing. We have loved exploring locally and have discovered some real gems within easy reach! We mask and keep to ourselves, but have enjoyed river rafting.”
HOW ARE YOU COPING WITH THE PANDEMIC? Tell us (submit here), or join our Facebook group RVing During the Pandemic and then join the discussion there.
##RVT960
Any updates on camping spots?
We are scheduled to travel to Maine mid Sept any advice
We have been traveling since May and have found places in South Dakota, Missouri, Kansas and Nebraska where people gather closely not wearing masks and we have had sneers from some when we come into their food stores or laundromat with a mask on. Honestly feel safer in the Walmart’s and stores requiring masks, For the most part we keep to ourselves, don’t visit any museum or attraction where there are lots of people. Basically hiking, fishing or being out in nature.
We are heading out in a week to go to Wyoming, Montana and South Dakota for two weeks . We are getting out of this Texas heat and looking forward to this. . My husband has a list of “must sees “ in this neck of the woods. He has made reservations for all the places we will be visiting.
We are packing a lot of prepared meals from a local catering place. We definitely will eat out at places if they have outdoor seating.
We personally don’t know anyone that has gotten the virus and have 30 employees, they are all being very careful and are required to wear mask while working. We go out , but go to tiny towns that has very little positive cases and we thankfully live in a town with only 4 cases and have recovered. I have had my temperature taken more times in the last month than I have in my lifetime. We are trying to have some normalcy back in our lives.
So Nanci what’s the name of the pie shop in Cable? As a big fan of the Norske Nook, I had to check to see if they had a place there. Seems they closed the one in nearby Hayward in June but left open the possibility that the new owners might continue making pies. If you haven’t had pie from the Norske Nook, it’s something to look forward to if you get anywhere near Osseo, Rice Lake or DeForest in Wisconsin. Just remember to order a small sandwich to save room for that big piece of pie and then get a whole pie to take with you.
The pie shop is called Tillies and is tucked right next to the Ideal Market and Post Office. During Covid it is open specific hours for walk up or pre-order. Sad to hear about the Norse Nook. It was a favorite of my uncle’s. My mom and her family are from Hayward. If you go to Walmart- the road before is Davis Avenue.
Thank Nanci! I’ll put that on my must-do list for the next time we head up that way.
Small towns, small stores, few people to interact with. Sometimes other people are maskless and clueless. But, I am not setting foot in a big box store where the air of thousands of ppl a day is being recirculated.
Figure out which of your camping buddies are hopeless extroverts, and avoid them if they just can’t learn to take precautions.
Left last Sunday for Indy500. 3 days out got email deciding against any fans. It was to be 75K, in a place that holds 300K. We knew this was possible, so while disappointing, decided to go with the flow. We don’t normally travel in summer. Between the newbies & normal summer vacations finding a campsite is not easy. Also, Sturgis, with 250k has limited CG sites in the west. We found 2 nites in a place in UT we always wanted to stop. Returned to Wendover, where on our way out, we were able to snag the last site as it is Speedweeks at Bonneville! Will be attending today, something we’ve always wanted to do. We may just head home after in a few days & try again in Sept/Oct to go somewhere.
One silver lining is that restaurant parking lots have been emptier. If we can pull our rig in we can order take-out and eat at our own table while the food is still piping hot.
Still weekend travelers and wasn’t able to find any openings nearby the past few weeks.
Living as close to normal as possible. Not going into a crowd but not measuring how far apart in the convenience store either. I’ve worn a mask probably 6 times when required. Common sense is required, obsessive fear is not.
What people don’t understand, Captain John, is that the mask is more for the protection of the people you come in contact, not as much for you. You have to care about your fellow man. Sorry, I just had to make the comment.
Hi, John. I just heard a doctor’s comment on the news (radio) this morning, something to the effect that there are three main reasons to wear a mask: (1) to protect others from your particulates (can’t remember the exact term he used); (2) to protect you from others’ particulates; and (3) to show that you care for your fellow human beings. Take care, and stay healthy. 🙂 —Diane at RVtravel.com