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26 April 2020: Lately it seems as if the sun has been struggling to bring better weather and we have all been struggling to keep our sanity as the lockdown continues without any idea of when it will end…
19 April 2020: Ventured out on the first “journey” since lockdown began, driving out east on Long Island to an area that normally is not very crowded to go for a hike and spend some time in nature beyond the backyard. Interestingly this spot, which normally is pretty deserted, turned out to be pretty busy, with small groups of other hikers strung out along the trail. A pause to let one group pass just meant another group would catch up–there would be no lingering. Still, everyone was respectful of the distancing and face covering as part of this strange “new” normal …
12 April 2020: We’ve now spent one month “sheltered in place” on Long Island, and it doesn’t look like we will be getting out any time soon. Face-covering has become the norm to go anywhere we might encounter other people. For the past four weeks we have not “gone” any further than a 10-minute drive from home…
5 April 2020: Made it through another week of the lockdown, as our world gets even smaller with the closing of a lot of the public parks in the area. Apparently people have not been doing well with the challenges of “social distancing” outdoors, so the town government has closed off all our local outdoor spaces. Luckily there are some lesser known areas that are county-run not too far from home where we can still get out for a walk…
THIS MONTH:
Sheltered in place at home in the New York metro area waiting out the coronavirus pandemic until things begin to reopen …
COMING UP SOON:
All public events have been cancelled across the country including several of those that USnomads had been scheduled to participate in such as the Texas Rovers’ April SCARR event, the May Overland Expo West and the June Bantam Jeep Heritage Festival. The annual Jeep Safari in Moab is cancelled and all camping in the area is temporarily prohibited. International travel has been disrupted as well meaning our upcoming travel to Paris has been put on hold and even the summer Serbia trip to help with the plum harvest is in question…
For the moment the August LON Convention remains on the schedule, as we are hopeful that the situation will be such that the event can go on. So as of now the plan remains heading to Michigan for the Ladies Offroad Convention, an action-packed, interactive 4-day weekend educating, motivating, and guiding for offroad ladies. The 4th Annual Convention will be held in Grand Blanc, Michigan from July 30th to August 2nd. Ladies will have many hands-on opportunities to gain all types of offroading skills, learn and engage with others as they share their stories with plenty of laughs along the way…
COVID-19 TRAVEL GUIDELINES
According the CDC’s recommendations for travelers, the COVID-19 outbreak in United States is a rapidly evolving situation. The status of the outbreak varies by location and state and local authorities are updating their guidance frequently. Check with the state or local authorities where you are, along your route, and at your planned destination to learn about local circumstances and any restrictions that may be in place. Cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) have been reported in all states, and some areas are experiencing community spread of the disease. Travel increases your chances of getting and spreading COVID-19. It is possible that some state and local governments may put in place travel restrictions, stay-at-home or shelter-in-place orders, mandated quarantines upon arrival, or even state border closures while you are traveling. CDC recommends you stay home as much as possible, especially if your trip is not essential, and practice social distancing especially if you are at higher risk of severe illness. Don’t travel if you are sick. If you must travel, there are several things you should do to protect yourself and others during your trip:
• When traveling by vehicle remember that the stops you need to make along the way could put you and others in the car with you in close contact with others who could be infected.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds especially after you have been in a public place, or after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing. If soap and water are not readily available, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol. Cover all surfaces of your hands and rub your hands together until they feel dry.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
• Avoid close contact with others. Keep 6 feet of physical distance from others.
• Wear a cloth face covering in public.
• Cover coughs and sneezes.
• Be aware that many businesses (such as restaurants and hotels) may be closed. Prepare food and water for the road. Pack non-perishables in case restaurants and stores are closed. Pick up food at drive-throughs, curbside restaurant service, or stores.
• Bring any medicines you may need for the duration of your trip and pack a sufficient amount of alcohol-based hand sanitizer (at least 60% alcohol).
MORE NOTES FROM THE ROAD:
16-31 March – Lockdown NY
9-15 March – Roadtrip Home
1-8 March – Moab
23-29 February – Vegas to Anza Borrego
15-22 February – Southwest Roadtrip
8-14 February – Southwest Roadtrip
1-7 February – Glamis to Vegas
27-31 January – Yuma to Glamis
15-26 January – Nevada to Arizona
1-14 January – Starting the New Year
24-31 December – Holidays on the Road
16-23 December – Cross-Country Drive
9-15 December – New York
1-8 December – Paris
16-30 November – Paris & Rennes
1-15 November – New York
14-31 October – Arizona
8-13 October – LON TOP TEN
1-7 October – Girl Gang Garage
16-30 September – Women’s Wheeling
1-15 September – Long Island
9-31 August – Serbia
1-8 August – #LONCON2019
16-31 July – Roadtrip to Atlanta
1-15 July – Cape Cod
15-30 June – Eastern Long Island
1-14 June – Bantam Jeep Festival
May – PA Trail cleanup
22-30 April – Minnesota
16-21 April – PA Trails
1-15 April – New Jeep
Archive
REFLECTIONS
A quick overview of impressions from a stop in Cairo during our recent scouting mission in Egypt and Sudan … [read]
SPECIAL REPORT
A look into south-eastern Algeria on the border with Libya and Niger: overlanding with the Tuareg in one of the most remote corners of the Sahara … [read]
