The crowe circle of relatives had great trips planned for this spring and summer – Sydney, Grand Cayman and Maui. Coronavirus canceled everything. Two months after the early 1940s, cabin fever set in. With the opening of the trails and beaches, the couple arrived here with a plan B, make it a first – take the road in VR. “It seemed like the most productive way, because we can stay socially away from others and have everything we want in one place,” says Anna Crowe.
In May, Anna, her husband Wayne, their children Liam and Kaelan, and their two labradors settled in a sublime 24-foot Mercedes-Benz Forest River Sunseeker with kitchen, dining area, shower rest room and two medium-sized beds. They left San Diego and spent 3 1/2 days traveling to Carmel-by-the-Sea Malibu, Paso Robles and Big Sur.
Oh, the memories, walk on malibu beach and fall asleep to the sound of the waves that rush a few feet away, the walks, the captivating center of Carmelo. “I enjoyed watching the global pass, sitting comfortably at the table with my children, sleeping under the stars, having food, water and shelter, no matter where we went, and the free road. It’s even harder to see so much nature and convert landscapes after months of quarantine,” she says.
The only downside, admits Anna, is “it’s tight quarters for sure, so any time you drop an item on the floor or the table is messy, everything looks chaotic. You have to keep tidying up. It’s a small price to pay!”
Wayne didn’t know how to cling to the place the first night, so they had to disturb the other people who were just a few feet away from us. “It’s a bit stressful at first, but in the end, it’s quite painless.”
Frequent travelers are sold on car trips. In August, they will return, this time to Yosemite National Park: “It’s a component of our list. Now that we know how to navigate a campervan, this is the best way to get there.”
For sure this summer and fall it’s all about the RV renaissance. Just one barometer of the popularity is RVShare.com, a peer-to-peer RV rental marketplace. CEO Jon Gray says RV bookings have nearly tripled since last year and have increased by more than 1,000% since early April as travelers opt for a safe, cost-effective means of travel.
Jack Megan, his wife and two young men will be informed about life in VR with a month-long hike that begins in late July. They will leave Los Angeles and venture to pose as Sequoia National Park, Jackson Hole, Wyoming, Lake Tahoe, Zion National Park, the Grand Canyon and many others. The couple married in 2008 and their honeymoon will be a six-month caravan trip. Turns out there’s a baby on the way, so they didn’t leave. This holiday’s been a long time coming. They are satisfied and young people, says Megan, “dream about it.”
If you’re weary from walking the same old parks and beaches in your neighborhood, go ahead and get out there. There’s no special training or license required. Here’s a little inspiration and ideas for where to go.
Assateague Island National Seashore, Maryland
Located on maryland’s east coast, on a long barrier island off the coast, this is famous for its Atlantic beaches and rather wild horses that roam the beach. Caravans have the option of passing by the sea or Bayside. These will be many GI moments with wildlife. Spend your days fishing, swimming, canoeing, surfing, hiking, kayaking, and more.
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Don’t worry about social distancing in the wonderful exterior of Grand Teton National Park. Hike over 200 miles of trails, go rafting on the Snake River, kayak on Lake Jackson, ride a horse, see what you can observe. Jackson Town is also within walking distance of Jackson City for restaurants and shops. As a bonus, Grand Teton National Park is about 31.1 miles from the nation’s first national park, Yellowstone.
Lums Pond State Park, Bear, Delaware
You probably tried to make Delaware. Why wait any longer? Lums Pond State Park is an ideal location in an oak and poplar forest and surrounds Delaware’s largest freshwater lake. How can you be wrong? From fishing to cycling, there’s plenty to make you the blues of the forties. Horse lovers rejoice, the park has more than 10 miles of equestrian trails and is home to the Sunsets Equestrian Center, which teaches riding lessons. O Go Ape! Tyrolean Treetop Adventure Course is also on site, offering two zipline courses, one for beginners and young children, and a moments course that gives a two- to three-hour adventure through the treetops.
Camping Branson View, Branson, Missouri
With Branson, you have a little more than two. There’s the vibe of a city (or anything you can locate COVID-19) and just 3 miles south of the action is camp Branson View. You are close to the vast Table Rock Lake, climbing, water skiing, bass and trout fishing, cycling, traps and skeletons and forests.
Devils Fork State Park, Salem, South Carolina
You may be tempted to make Devils Fork State Park, after all, National Geographic calls it the “destination of a lifetime”. You can hear yourself thinking about those 9, 000 acres in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Mother Nature is the greatest charm with hiking trails, waterfalls, canoeing and fishing on Lake Jocassee. If you feel the urge to be a civilization, a few kilometers from the park are the cities of Walhalla and Seneca.
There, Escalante, Utah
If you like to be the first to check out a new place, check out Yonder, which opens this summer. You can come with your caravan or stay in an Airstream cabin or trendy. There is a lounge, a commercial space, a giant outdoor seat, fireplaces, board games, a library, a club, drive-in videos on right nights and more. Better yet, be close to Capitol Reef National Park, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument and Bryce Canyon National Park.
Huntington Beach State Park, Murrells Outlet, South Carolina
There are all sorts of options here. The National Historic Landmark Atalaya Castle, three miles of beach, loggerhead turtles, hiking, surf fishing from the jetty, take your pick of any of these activities. Birders alert—this is said to be one of the best birding sites in the Southeast, with more than 300 species. Marshwalk is where you head for seafood aplenty at waterfront restaurants.