Travel in the Time of Covid

I miss traveling. Even if it is a quick trip into the Washington, D.C. area to see my children, grandchildren, and friends. Lately, I really miss the opportunities to visit some favorite travel destinations – Door County, Snowmass, New York City. I miss the idea of revisiting Old Quebec City and Italy and Scotland and Ireland and... Sometimes I miss the freedom of being able to travel if I choose to. And, frankly, if I could afford to.  

I am not a jet setter. I save my money. I travel with friends so we can split costs (and make sure there is someone else there in case one of us falls in a strange place). I aim for one big trip a year. More than that is a luxury. 

This past year, I have fed my need to see familiar places and dream about new ones in two different ways. I go on car rides with Dad since we live near the ocean or the Chesapeake Bay and can get to one or the other in about 30 minutes. I also take virtual tours.  

I have “walked” two different Camino routes on two different virtual trips that included exposure to not just the scenery but also art and literature. I have studied Renaissance Art in both Florence and Bruge. I have been to about ten of the states in my own country – ones I have never been to and some I did visit if you count my father flying us through them in our Ford Falcon (headed west) or our Rambler station wagon (headed east) from one change of duty station to another. 

Still, looking at the photo of a steaming mug of cappuccino online is not the same as sitting with one in front of you on the St. Lawrence River or looking up at the Domo in Florence over a bowl of pasta. But it is something.