Location-Independence During a Pandemic
I’m embarking upon a weeklong road trip. Right during the heart of a pandemic.
And I can already see the wheels spinning in your head thinking, “why the fuck are you traveling right now?” (I’m looking at you stay-at-home shamers posting photos of people online).
One of the pros AND cons of being a full-time nomad is that you are effectively, and voluntarily, homeless. This is a pro because I can go anywhere I want without worrying about big ticket ties, such as home ownership and all the upkeep and maintenance required or being stuck in a long term rental lease and having to pay for that while I fulfill my wanderlust. This is a con because where the fuck do you go when you’re supposed to “stay at home”?
As a professional house sitter (in addition to my consulting business and my merchandise line), I take care of people’s pets and house while they are away for an extended period of time. When pandemics aren’t a thing, this is a great way to live in a new place, interact with different people, discover the local scene, and explore new-to-me nature offerings, all with the added benefit of having some furry friends around. Bonus points for a place when I can also find a good Krav Maga or MMA gym to train at and keep a healthy, normal routine going while living life as a vacation.
But pandemics are a thing now. And prior to it hitting the US, I had committed to a sit out in Arizona. Coming from my current location in Florida, that’s a hell of a distance. And until we have teleportation devices, traveling to get somewhere is a must. The owner for whom I’m sitting has decided to go ahead with their summer travels, and I strongly believe in upholding my commitments.
Even if I didn’t have this sit, I’d still need to find somewhere to live. Since I cut my trip short from my island-hop in the eastern Caribbean this past winter, I’ve been lucky enough to have good friends who have let me live with them for the past 2 months. But I’d prefer not to wear out my welcome, and would need to find the next place to live anyway. With that in mind, why the fuck would I stay in one place, when I can “stay at home” with some new scenery and get out for “essential activities” like hiking in new terrain?
So with all of that out of the way, here are the practices with which I’ll engage in to make this road trip as Covid-free as possible:
1. Roadtripping in my own car! No breathing the germs of all your new best friends who you’re squished up against while sailing through the sky in a tiny tube. And I don’t know who needs to hear this, but you don’t need to wear a mask in your own car while you’re alone either.
2. Wearing a mask where it’s required. I’ll be honest, I haven’t been a mask wearer, and I have mixed feelings about them. But if a store or a state requires the use of one, I’ll be happy to perform the easy task of putting one on. I see no need to be a fucking baby about this and shoot or threaten store workers because I don’t like your rules. No shirt, no shoes, no masks, no entrance, no problem. If it makes your workers and customers feel more safe, then I don’t see the fucking issue here with such a simple practice.
3. Knowing my limits. Some people can drive straight for 15 hours or more if they are determined to get somewhere. I simply can’t. My eyes go blurry (especially at night), my mind wanders, I’ve even fallen asleep. No bueno when you’re driving! I’ve learned that my absolute max for a multiple day trip with back-to-back days of driving is about 7 hours, and even that’s really fucking rough on me. Knowing how your body responds to all-day driving is good safety to have for any road trip. But understanding this helps inform the next point.
4. Booking hotels in advance with refundable rates. I always do this anyway, because I’ve learned the hard way from my broke-ass 20s what it’s like to stay in a roach coach off the side of the highway with nothing else for 100 miles. I like to research hotels in the areas that my daily planned driving time has allotted for, and to be honest, I love playing the deal game, trying to find the best hotel for the cheapest price. (Un)fortunately there is an upside to a travel standstill - and that’s finding incredibly good deals on hotels.
When shit isn’t shut down, I often choose hotels for how awesome their bar looks and their proximity to other things in town I might be interested in checking out. But now while most things are closed, I’ve decided to find hotels where the rooms have some character. Having patios or balconies where I can read and have a glass of wine at night*, or rooms that have Netflix all loaded up and ready to go on a big screen have been prime features in my search for this trip.
The refundable option gives you some cushion if something comes up and prevents you from reaching your destination as planned, and usually only costs a few dollars more than any non-refundable option. Pro tip: by booking directly through the hotel’s website and not through a third-party provider, they’ll usually reward you with upgrades and free shit.
*Who am I kidding, we all know that glass means a bottle.
5. Minimizing my stops. Normally I build my road trips around hikes, natural features, breweries, wineries, and restaurants I want to experience. But since that isn’t really an option, that gives me more time for driving and less time for interaction. So I’ll drive close to my daily max and research the shit out of my options.
Grocery shopping in advance for breakfast and lunch items that I can put in my cooler and prepare on the road will eliminate additional interaction for meals. I’ve been researching outdoor spaces that are open - where I can stop for lunch, throw down a blanket, and have a little picnic, for instance.
I’ve also been researching takeout and delivery options for dinner in the areas surrounding the hotels I’ve booked. Not only does this free me from the meh of eating only prepared foods along the way, but it’s a nice way to end a long day of driving and support the local economy.
Another practice that I am carrying over from my normal road trip habits is stopping once a day for gas. My car typically goes about 7-8 hours on a tank of gas, so I get where I need to go without having to make an additional gas stop. I usually do this first thing when I leave the hotel in the morning, which also gives me the benefit of being able to buy fresh ice for my cooler each morning as well.
6. Sanitize the shit out of it! I’ve never been a germ-phobe, but lately I have no interest in touching a bunch of shit that everybody else has touched after wiping their noses. (Sidebar: people are gross). So the new additions to my travel armada will be hand sanitizer and sanitizing wipes. Perfect for handling gas pumps and doorknobs.
7. Staying healthy and sane through daily exercise. Since I’m not out on exploration and mostly just sitting my ass in a car blowing out my eardrums while I cruise along to loud driving music, I’m making a point to research and map out a morning run around the neighborhood I’m in for each day or hike on an open trail. The bonus to this is seeing more than I would’ve seen otherwise. I’ll get a beach one morning, a dusty tumbleweed-filled desert town another morning. Shit, I’m even going to the Alamo on a run. Fake tourism at it’s finest!
You too, can enjoy safe (but less fun) traveling with the right measures in place!
Nomadic living has always required a bit of research and advance planning, but now it’s been taken to a whole new level. Fuck it - get out there, within reason and with distance. Lots of reason and lots of distance!