It is time to travel....part deux

2 years ago

No question mark this time. When I planned our trip a few months ago I predicted July 4th to be most comfortable. A target date many were following as the data from the trial and first vaccinated were studied.

Road trip to visit my parents fully vaccinated as well as the two of us. So refreshing to be out and about among very happy friendly folk. Did not at all feel like a 'new normal'. Small coastal village remote but so friendly and respectful...lots of conversations with masks indoors and un-masked outside distancing without an ounce of hesitancy. Felt perfectly 'normal'.

I had Covid PTSD for about two seconds the first fuel stop when we needed to go inside. It's over for now with very few precautions ....masking inside. And crowds in any situation.

Our village store they call the 'Mall'. A deli and a series of small rooms with pantry and home needs like tp and dish soap. Fishing items and beach toys.

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Comments (10)

sleevendog (5a NY 6aNYC NL CA)
Original Author
2 years ago
So, I would not hesitate to visit friends and family fully vaccinated. Neighbors, restaurants, or cook for friends and family. Across town or take a road trip for a few days. Visiting Mom and Pop after a year and a half...priceless. Cooking for them....beyond priceless.
sleevendog (5a NY 6aNYC NL CA)
Original Author
2 years ago
We were on the Delaware bay about 8 miles from the Atlantic Ocean. It is the largest breeding ground for horseshoe crabs in the world. Right outside our beach rental. They are crucial to making vaccines and medicines safe.

"...That’s because these animals’ milky-blue blood provides the only known natural source of limulus amebocyte lysate, a substance that detects a contaminant called endotoxin. If even tiny amounts of endotoxin—a type of bacterial toxin—make their way into vaccines, injectable drugs, or other sterile pharmaceuticals such as artificial knees and hips, the results can be deadly."

Link to the article, HERE

Top three pics are mine. A female laying eggs....males are smaller and lock in to the female. The hight tide surf can flip them over and also a larger predatory bird can flip them over...(did not know the eggs are blue like their blood)

With the locals, we spent our sunrise and sunset walks flipping them over and setting them into the water....freedom. Migratory birds need the eggs for long flight...other birds need the flipped ones for fuel...but declining numbers is troubling.
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sleevendog (5a NY 6aNYC NL CA)
Original Author
2 years ago
I grew up in the area but DH grew up in Corvallis, Washington. PNW. I spent my youth flipping horseshoe crabs....we need this species. DH went whole hog on reading and learning.

2020 I did not miss cooking for others. But what an invigorating chance to do just that. Loved it, missed it!

First full day of apps and salads prepped in NY was to test their palates. Cod cakes and lots of sides....big appetites so no problem.
sleevendog (5a NY 6aNYC NL CA)
Original Author
2 years ago
Rental kitchens are always lacking for good reason. I packed pantry choices...and a few knives. A small cast iron and a small enameled dutch oven...they only had a cheap RachelRay three piece set, scratched up teflon. And not a cutting board to be found. Possibly a recent previous renter trashed it?...grabbed one from my mothers stash...she has many in the pantry as I do. I would have left it behind for the rental but some would possibly put it in the dishwasher and destroy it?.

So glad I packed salt and pepper....did not want to spend the time shopping being in such a beautiful place. (what?, no salt and pepper!?)....

I've looked at renting again in October. Have a list for needs from home, NY...

(all properties are booked until then)
plllog
2 years ago
Great report! Thanks! I almost went visiting (fully vaccinated both sides of course) but had to cancel for mundane reasons. Have fun filling your folks' freezer, and just getting to be with them!
Islay Corbel
2 years ago
What a stunningly beautiful experience. We got our second jabs yesterday. We held hands coming out of the hall we were so happy! Already planning times with friends that we've missed. It's still too early to plan trips to see my daughter and sister in England..... rates still too high. Sigh. We'll get there. Like you, I'm longing to cook for loved ones and do a lot of squeezing!
Jasdip
2 years ago
What fun!! To be honest, I'm so used to grabbing my mask when I leave, and putting it on prior to entering stores, it will feel weird shopping without it. You're so excited to be doing the things you love, with the people you love most. Congratulations!
sleevendog (5a NY 6aNYC NL CA)
Original Author
2 years ago
I agree. We feel odd without a mask. Nice to see full compliance in masking indoors without a single sign posted. That was my only concern about traveling.

My second Pfizer was such a relief and just a bit sore. England still has a return quarantine from many locations I just read in the NYTimes. I think just knowing we are on the mend, with caution, is comfort enough for now to ease back into gatherings. Did not realize how tense I've been until I was not.

Did not realize I've been cooking for so long out of basic necessity until I spent a week cooking for others.
Islay Corbel
2 years ago
England has the terrible Indian variant - the vaccines, after one dose ( ours need 2 doses) are only 33% effective. So, France tells Brits coming here to self isolate, Brits tell French to self isolate, countries desperate for the tourist money are accepting Brits with no safeguards like Spain, Greece... whereas Germany tells Brits to self isolate. There's no coherent organisation and it's all one big mess. There was a European football final in Portugal last weekend - 2 English teams!!! Why oh why did they travel to Portugal? Madness.
LoneJack Zn 6a, KC
2 years ago
last modified: 2 years ago
We are heading up to northern Minnesota tomorrow for my nieces wedding. I have no idea how many wedding guests there will be. Just the bride's side of the family will be about 30-35. Most if not all have been vaccinated. No idea if masks and social distancing will followed but I doubt it.

Near record highs are forecast for the three days we will be up there. Sunny and 95 the day of the wedding and of course it is Cocktail attire so everyone will be in dresses and monkey suits. Ugh!

It is time to travel....part deux

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sleevendog (5a NY 6aNYC NL CA)
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It is time to travel....part deux

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sleevendog (5a NY 6aNYC NL CA)Original Author

sleevendog (5a NY 6aNYC NL CA)Original Author

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plllog

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