COVID International Travel Risks in 2022 - February 2022

After completing our 2022 Jordan and Egypt travel, I've been asked about current COVID risks associated with international travel. In the past,  travelers considered their interests, budget and available time. We now need to consider our COVID risk tolerance.

The world is not over COVID despite our wishes for this to be so. During international travel, individuals may be exposed to COVID in airports, airplanes, hotels, restaurants, coaches and at local attractions. Identifying and either accepting or controlling risk could ease your mind during your international travels. Understanding the health and safety protocols of your tour company is essential. 

On our Jordan and Egypt trip, we tested negative for COVID before our flight back to the US but positive immediately once we were back home. We accepted the risk of becoming COVID infected on this trip - though we preferred to remain healthy. That said, we became better able to evaluate COVID risks after our trip. Here are some areas for you to think about as you evaluate group travel COVID risks for 2022:

• The CDC publishes COVID recommendations for country destination. Are you comfortable traveling to a CDC rated level 4 "do not travel" destination?  
• Is your country destination currently considered a COVID "hot spot?" Is this related to a new and spreading variant for which little is known?
• Consider local health and safety practices and customs - they may be very different than yours and could improve or reduce your comfort level. For example, what percent of locals are fully vaccinated? What COVID health and safety protocols, if any, are generally practiced? Will you be in tourist areas that heavily draw local visitors?
• What are the COVID health and safety protocols of your tour company? 
• What action will your tour company take if you test COVID positive at the beginning, middle or end of your trip. Where will individuals be quarantined if the need arises? A vague response could mean that the tour company is unprepared to respond to an infection outbreak. This can become a significant problem for you if your expectations are not realized.
• At the start of the trip, is everyone in the tour group fully COVID vaccinated?
• At the start of the trip, are travelers in the tour group subject to a lab test confirming they are negative for a COVID infection? International air travel may require a lab test and offer such a confirmation.
• Does the travel company support smaller group sizes to permit some degree of social distancing? Use of audio devices reduces the need for travelers to physically gather close to hear guides.
• Does the tour company offer immediate COVID testing for all group travelers (and staff) should a COVID outbreak occur during the trip? A delayed response could drive a higher infection rate.
• When group dining, are travelers permitted to seat themselves in an ad hoc manner? Ad hoc seating could drive up COVID infections. Face masks are off during dining and your possible exposure risks increase with different table mates. Also, mixed table mates means that contact tracing becomes almost impossible.
• Does the tour company provide sufficient coach seating space to support social distancing?
• Does the tour company disinfect coaches on a daily basis?  
• During city stops, are members of your travel group permitted to leave your traveler "bubble" and explore on their own?
• Is COVID testing performed on a daily basis during your trip?
• Are your fellow travelers asked by tour company to wear face coverings and regularly sanitize/wash their hands?
• Do you have sufficient private funds or insurance to cover five to 14 days of quarantine? You may need a documented negative COVID antigen test to continue your travel home. Realize that while your COVID symptoms may disappear within 3-5 days, your antigen test could take longer to become negative. It took 11 days for our antigen test to become negative. That translates to 11 days of possible quarantine outside of the US should we not have received a negative test result the day before flying back to the US. Note that many insurance claim procedures require documentation signed by a physician indicating the need for trip interruption. 
• Does your travel insurance cover your trip from start date to end date? We learned there are situations that limit the dates of your group travel insurance coverage and could exclude personal travel added to an organized tour schedule.
• Finally, you might consider packing a proctored COVID antigen test, such as BinaxNow AG Card Test with eMed Telehealth. This type of test can provide a QR code from a negative test. You do need WiFi  access for this test kit. Alternatively, any at-home test kit could be helpful.

The above list is likely not exhaustive. Nonetheless, it does give you a starting point. Good luck on your travels!

Scenes from the Nile River

The vertical rebar on the building rooftops
is for a higher floor. Apartments are often constructed
to permit later additions.  

Garbage is often incinerated.

A Post Thanksgiving Update - December 2020

December 2019 Wreath

November 2020

We typically prepare and host a Thanksgiving dinner in our house for 15-18 family members. COVID-19 caused us to reconsider our holiday celebration this year. While thankful that family members have avoided major illness this year, we certainly didn't want to create a situation where an infection could be unknowingly shared among members of multiple households. So, we prepared a much smaller dinner for three, with one family member joining us for a much briefer gathering.

December 2020

For the past several years, my wife and I have enjoyed taking an evening class in holiday wreath design. Our local florist conducts these classes, supplying the wreath construction items and instruction. Once again, the current pandemic altered these plans. Concerned with being in an indoor environment - even with shop roll-up doors open and a smaller class - we wondered about gathering with multiple household members. Despite viewing another holiday activity disrupted, we arranged for the florist to create a wreath, with us simply purchasing it (which was actually similar to the course fee but certainly not as much fun). Thus, we support our favorite florist shop and we still have an attractive wreath to place on our front door.  Wreath making will hopefully restart in 2021.

Our December holidays often start with getting together with one set of  relatives for dinner about a week before Christmas Day to celebrate end of year birthdays and Christmas. On Christmas Eve we (20-25) gather for dinner at another family member's house.  Christmas Day brings us together for dinner at yet another family member's residence. You've likely figured out that we have many family members within a 40-60 minute driving distance.  The pandemic has altered these plans, as well. Christmas dinner gatherings are out this year. Gift exchanges will range from curbside drop-off to meeting at a parking lot to exchange gift bags. Very different than looking under the Christmas tree.  

With a simpler two-person Christmas dinner, I've been thinking about brining and smoking a small turkey
(10 pounds). We continue our search for the moistest turkey breast and this will be the first time we won't be oven roasting a turkey. I've experimented with smoking a spatchcock chicken and it turned out pretty tasty. Leftover turkey will be frozen for later soup and/or a pot pie.

Lately, I've been ripening a couple dozen Hachiya persimmons for making a brandy infused steamed persimmon pudding. This is a dessert that my father often made during the holidays. He is no longer with us, but recreating this dessert helps me recall the sharing of his many home-made desserts. My creation may not reach "Paul Hollywood" approval levels, but this is the first step towards perfecting my recipe.

2021 Travel

In March, our final payment is due for a summer polar trip that includes Helsinki, Murmansk and the Russian Arctic.  At this time, this trip looks either unwise or extremely unlikely. Given a nonrefundable but transferable trip deposit, we'll probably move this to a 2023 polar trip.

In December, we have a 15-day cruise scheduled. Currently, the cruise line has placed a hold on all US cruise departures through November 1, 2021.  The final payment for this trip is in September 2021, which hopefully will bring some clarity in respect to cruise line cancellation. There might be a broad COVID-19 vaccine distribution by this time, but it is much too early to tell. If not, perhaps another trip moved to 2023.  

If the above travel plans fail, we'll load up the car and take a spring drive back to Shingletown. A week spent in the fresh mountain air and hiking opportunities are always a terrific respite for us.

As travel this year has ceased, we’ve been stepping up our donations to local non-profits and businesses. Food banks have been one of our focuses as food insecurity is an urgent problem for many. We’ve also supported regional performing arts and student services. As indoor dining has become risky, our take-away meals are more frequent. Finally, patronizing your local hardware, clothing, grocery stores and service companies can really make a big difference to many of your neighbors struggling with the economic toll of this pandemic.

Best wishes to you all for a safe and healthful Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

    

Another 2020 Trip Postponed - October 2020

We had planned to be relaxing in a Shingletown cabin this week, but the Northern California fires and bad air quality caused us to reschedule our trip to the mountains. The Zogg fire, west of Redding, has burned over 56,000 acres and, as of this morning, is 46% contained. In addition, the August Complex fire, west of Orland, has burned 970,000 acres and is now 51% contained. Moreover, we didn't want to add traffic and congestion to the area or Interstate 5. There will always be another and better time to travel from our shelter in place residence and spend time in fresh mountain air. Here's hoping for some rain.

Where is Shingletown? It sits at an elevation of 3,500 feet, along State Route 44 and about 17 miles from the northern entrance to Lassen Volcanic National Park. The population is about 2,300 and business district offerings are similar to small mountain towns. We've been customers of the good-sized grocery-hardware-deli store (Reed's Market and Grill) and gas station (Chevron) in Shingletown. The market offers a broad selection of grocery items for a small store. You might check Yelp reviews in respect to Grill breakfasts, lunches and dinners - the reviews vary quite a bit. 

Besides hiking in the national park, visitors to this area often hike in McArthur-Burney Falls Memorial State Park (60 miles from Shingletown) and spelunk a 1/3 mile underground walk at the Subway Cave Lava Tube (30 miles from Shingletown). If you go to Subway Cave, be sure to bring a flashlight and jacket - the cave temperature hovers in the mid-40Fs. There's also several areas to try your hand at fly or bait fishing.

While there are no motels in Shingletown, there are several rental cabins in the area, ranging from rustic cabins to small cottages to six and seven bedroom modern cabins/houses. Rental sources include VRBO, AirBnB and Tripadvisor. There's also a KOA campground in Shingletown.

  

 

  

New Pellet Smoker on Order - September 2020

 

Sheltering in place has meant more cooking at home. Although we have visited our local restaurants for take-away, our last on-site dining was probably six months ago.  

For the last nine months, I've been smoking meat and vegetables on a Traeger Jr Elite pellet grill. The grill was a gift and well enjoyed. For the most part, the grilling results have been very good. The few issues have been variance from the set temperature (25-60F), difficultly maintaining lower temperatures (200-225F) and smaller smoking capacity. I found the Jr Elite requires more hands-on monitoring rather than a "set and forget" attitude. We've enjoyed using the Traeger for chicken, salmon, tri-tip, pork ribs, potatoes, roasted vegetables and, yes, even candied bacon. The Jr Elite is about 65 pounds, can hold 8 pounds of pellets and offers 300 square inches of grill space.

In a few weeks, we should receive a RECTEQ RT-590 grill. While only one size up from the smallest RECTEQ pellet grill, the RT-590 pellet smoker, as pictured above with a competition cart, is close to 220 pounds. The pellet hopper has a 30 pound (about 30 hour) capacity. Stainless steel construction is primarily responsible for the greater weight. The RT-590 is uses 304 stainless steel for the smoking chamber, heat deflector, drip pan and grates The grill also offers 592 square inches of grill space. In addition, the competition cart base adds heft as well as durability and easier maneuverability. One of the features that attracted me to this pellet grill is the PID temperature controller which can help to reduce wide temperature swings. Nonetheless, this is not an electric oven and cooking with wood and fire always brings some temperature fluctuations. The key is how quick the chamber temperature can return to the original setting. While I tend to monitor my grills - whether pellet or gas - the RT-590 includes remote WiFi control.

Stay tuned for updates on our fall pellet smoker grilling. I'm thinking about a spatchcock chicken for my first grill use.

Projects While Travel is Curtailed - September 2020

Solar Panel Cleaning

If you're residing in California this fall, you are likely used to seeing lots of ash and dust in the air.  The many fires have caused local air quality to remain unhealthy for several days in a row. The past two days have finally been low in particulate counts and we've been able to exercise outdoors. 

About a month ago, we scheduled our solar panels to be cleaned this past week. The above photo shows how much ash had accumulated on our solar panels and the difference after rinsing. Our local window washing company uses a soft brush and clean water to rinse the solar panels. This approach avoids the use of any harsh chemicals and ensures no solar panel damage from cleaning. Of course, we don't know how long the air will remain reasonably ash-free. In the past, our solar production improved about 20 percent after cleaning heavily soiled solar panels. As a side benefit, cleaning the panels helps a local business in these tough economic times. I suppose as a homeowner I could do this cleaning but, frankly, my days of climbing on the roof are in the past. I've heard of too many stories of acquaintances falling off the roof or from ladders.

Re-Landscaping the Front Yard

With our travel curtailed, we decided to use the time at home for some yard work. Originally, we had plans for changing our front walkway and plantings since late 2019. The original walkway had two steps to the sidewalk and we wanted a gradual sloping walkway. The plants were installed by the original building contractor and was not particularly creative nor unique from any other house in the development.

With the pandemic upon us, the actual work had to be postponed from spring 2020 to fall 2020. With a local landscaping company performing the very heavy workload of removing and replacing the concrete walkway, moving large boulders and a large planter into place, adding topsoil, removing and adding new plants and adding bark and pebbles, the project is finally done. The front yard looks great and maintenance should remain minimal. When travel restarts, we prefer not to have a lot of yard maintenance facing us upon return.

The steps were removed from the walkway

The pebbles will keep the bark from floating onto the sideway during heavy rain.

Another Trip Postponed 

We were scheduled for a March 2021 cruise to Hawaii. With the recent increase of COVID-19 infections in Hawaii and possibility of limited access to Hawaiian ports, we decided to move this to later 2021. Whether the trip will depart as scheduled remains questionable, but March seemed just too unlikely. 

What's Happening for 2020? - April 2020

So far, not much is the answer to the post title and it will be that way for a while. That said, this unusual time allows us to take a step back and look at the world with new eyes and consider an opportunity for each of us to perform an act of kindness for those experiencing family, health, financial and/or food worries. 

Each day somewhat blends into the next, as there's not a much different in my daily tasks. Instead of running distant errands, we now follow a daily routine of cleaning, disinfecting, reading, gardening and walks. Grocery shopping has now become a once a week task, while wearing a face mask and gloves. Wiping down purchased grocery items before putting them away is a new exercise. This inconvenience seems minor when some folks are simply wondering how they can afford their next meal.


My wife has been working on making face masks. We now have several for our use and the remainder will be donated to those in need. It's refreshing to see that many creative homebound individuals are doing the same.

I've been cancelling our 2020 travel, along with many other people.  This has been much more challenging than I envisioned, possibly due to the number of cancellations being handled by travel companies. These cancellations are minor considering the many individuals out of work, dealing with trying to receive a stimulus check or process unemployment benefit applications.

A few days ago, at the start of my daily walk, I saw a man in rumpled clothes next to a bench on his knees silently praying. On my walk returning to the house, he was in the same spot, still on his knees, and praying to his higher authority. I opened my wallet and offered him some cash. I have never seen anyone so joyous and thankful for help. Although he could not speak English, he pointed his clasped hand into the sky and it was apparent he thought my help was in response to his prayers. I don't think this vision will ever leave me. 

If you're in a position to bring comfort to someone, please try to lend a helping hand.