Barking Embarkers

This month I am all about the top 12! From the top 12 midwest dogventures to the best 12 dogventure ideas in the PNW! However I decided to jazz it up a bit this week with some road trip advice.

Road trips are becoming a big deal during the COVID-19 Pandemic. As people are getting travel-restless, many are buying their “COVID Campers” instead of staying in hotels, rennovating their trucks or vans to try out van-life, and enjoying traveling nationally, instead of internationally since most of the borders are closed.

The CDC advises to avoid travel. It specifically states, “Travel increases your chances of getting and spreading COVID-19. Staying home is the best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.”

Though travel is to be avoided per the CDC, I have had to travel for work twice during the Pandemic. When I say travel, I mean driving myself and my dog across the country two times! As a health conscious health care professional with asthma; I try my very best to be as COVID safe as possible on these trips; while also enjoying the adventure as best I can with my best friend and dog, Chloe Rue.

Therefore I thought I would share some strategies I use to travel in a COVID safe way during this pandemic. I’ll be honest with you- some places in the country do not practice a lot of mask wearing, and are stuck in denial about the pandemic. Some places are extremely aware, and will stare at your out of state license; honk or criticize loudly at gas stations.

I hope you all find these strategies helpful for making your pandemic pastimes as panic free as possible! If you have any questions about virology, the legitimacy of COVID and how it has impacted me as a healthcare worker, I would be happy to answer! Check out the barking embarkers facebook group to connect with a community who travels with their dogs, or email me at barkingembarkers@gmail.com. There is no question in my mind that COVID is legitimate, causing excess deaths, and harming the healthcare workers, teachers and people in our communities. Let’s do all we can to aid this issue, by being responsible on our adventures.

1. Avoid COVID high impact zones: I love my tastebuds!

COVID impact areas are constantly changing. When I was in Oregon in March and April; I was in an area that was quickly erupting with cases; while North Dakota had cases few and far between. Currently I am back home in North Dakota, and one city is out of ICU beds while the other is not far behind. It has worsened significantly in this second wave!

So you might ask- how do I know what areas to avoid? All you have to do is google COVID North Dakota- or whatever state you are traveling through. A map will pop up with a description of active cases per county. Simply don’t stop in the cities that have a high number of active cases. It is also important to make sure your destination is away from high impact areas. Make sure to fuel up and use the bathroom away from high impact zones to decrease your exposure, while also decreasing the potential for worsening the situation in those areas. AVOID NORTH DAKOTA RIGHT NOW. Seriously it is NOT GOOD here. And if you are in North Dakota, please wear a mask and reconsider any travel plans you may have.

2. McVirus: FoodFection at its Finest

When you’re on a road trip, you have to eat at some point. And who really enjoys McDonalds on a roadtrip these days (unless it was when there were handing out free meals to health care professionals, that was really cool). I actually pretty much always use a cooler full of groceries on traveling adventures. Chloe my dog, cannot figure out how to open the cooler (hallelujiah), and this way I can eat while on the road! This also limits your exposure to grocery stores which are a rather hot spot for viruses these days! Go to the grocery store in your community, or order the food for delivery to your house, then stock up enough food to last your entire adventure (or at least until you reach your destination).

I love to have crackers and hummus, popcorn, pickles, and jolly ranchers as snacks (my dentist does not approve of the jolly ranchers; but what can I say, I have a sweet tooth)! I enjoy hawaiian bun sandwiches; where I pre cut the entire loaf and fill with ham and cheese. I keep whatever condiments I like in the cooler too as an option to spice things up a bit. For dinner I will either shop local, with curbside pickup (more on this later), or I will camp out with brats, soup, beans, or burritos. I LOVE finding a pretty little campsite for the night to enjoy a lovely dinner!

• 

• 

3. Portaproblems: It’s a Tissue Issue

So I was using the rules for driving through Canada to help me figure out safe methods for traveling through the U.S. and decreasing exposure. Canada is SUPER strict about Americans traveling through to access Alaska. They allow drive thrus only and do not allow you inside gas stations… So my question is, how in the name of Chloe Rue’s tail do they expect you to go to the bathroom?!

Some people are using urinals/female urinals and holding their number 2 until later. Others who have a camper or toilet system will just hop in the back and worry about dumping later. However, Chloe and I have a pretty similar toileting schedule; so even if we used this method that really does reduce impact, Chloe would be struggling.

We have actually found ourselves using rest stops. Rest stops are mostly outdoors and kind of dirty as a rule (except on the East Coast, those rest stops are SO NICE). We find ourselves washing our hands for 20 seconds regardless of a pandemic or not; and it also gives Chloe Rue a chance to be outside for a while; stretch her legs and relax. We have also found hardware stores like Lowes, Home Depot or Menards have nice bathrooms, lots of room for social distancing and are generally less busy than places like gas stations or grocery stores. In a pinch, I will use a gas station; but I like to avoid using interstate gas stations for bathroom breaks as much as possible.

4. Crash n’ Germ: The Sleep Struggle

Those who have invested in a campers and vans honestly have a great idea. I feel like keeping your own germs to yourself is a great way to road trip! You can also bring a tent and camp across the country on your road trip! Those who choose airbnb or hotels; I recommend wiping everything off with sanitizing wipes before settling in and looking at reviews specifically addressing COVID and cleanliness. I have traveled using both methods recently; and I also enjoy using state parks or KOAs that have yurts, teepees or waterless cabins. These are also important to sanitize yourself; but usually offer a shower and laundry in the campsite, a location people probably don’t eat indoors, and you can typically use your own bedding which you can wash after spending the night in a location like this.

• 

• 

5. Money, Money, you’re my sugar bunny; Let’s Love the Locals

I distinctly remember driving through Sisters, Oregon this summer. Typically this is a very tourist friendly town; full of people at the shops, grocery stores, and overall enjoying the incredible view of the three sisters mountains which linger over the town. When I drove through, it was completely deserted. It’s so awful to imagine what the tourist towns and local businesses are experiencing right now; so if we are having to adventure; let’s do all we can to support these businesses. When you shop; wear a mask. Wash everything you purchase. Call ahead and ask if they do online ordering; or virutal browsing. I will be honest in the fact that I have not done a lot of in person shopping since the outbreak. I will order online or call ahead for curbside pickup.

When you’re looking for take out for dinner, look for those local shops that offer take-out options and curbside pick up. I love to order take out, pick up curb-side and find a nice spot for a social distance picnic! My favorite is finding a trail head, national forest or free campsite on BLM land; so I can eat and then sleep before nightfall! I have found some incredible local bars, seafood stops, burger joints and drive-ins that have made eating local while adventuring a super fun experience.

• 

• 

• 

6. Don’t Go Chasing Virusventures, stick to the rivers and the lakes that you’re used to

I’m going to say it, but so many people are not going to like it. National Parks are NOT the place to go right now. They are busy. They have so-so enforcement of sanitization due to lower staffing. Some like Yosemite allow only a number of people to enter per day; and others require proof of state residency- some state parks have also started doing this. Last, they’re not very dog friendly.

Why not try out some of these amazing national forests, BLM land and camping areas near national parks? Otherwise stick to sunrise explorations; and leaving by 10am (That’s how I handled Yellowstone this year). Canoeing, kayaking, biking, hiking in less busy areas, scenic drives, scenic boating, fishing, snowboarding, cross country skiing, roller blading, mountain scrambling, off-road adventures are all GREAT adventures to have right now that limit your interaction with people, but still give that sense of quiet and peace we are all craving so badly.

Avoid adventures that involve heavy interaction with other people. Anything were a lot of people touch or breathe on the same thing is an adventure you might want to avoid. I really liked what the CDC says about returning to the community during a pandemic. Have a mask, sanitizing wipes and hand sanitizer; and consider the risks before you go!

• 

• 

• 

• 

7. Be wise: Sanitize, ’til you cry

I was able to get into the habit of sanitizing my truck door handle, phone, keys, hands and wallet every time I entered my truck; especially after filling up diesel or being at a rest stop. I kept sanitizing wipes on the center counsel, sanitizer on the door, and my mask also in the door. I had one mask that was a bandana for hiking use, and another that was an old N95 one from work (you could also use a separate cloth mask) for being in a community that wasn’t my own.

While hiking I kept a bottle of sanitizer for people who wanted to pet Chloe, and for myself after they interacted with her. Chloe has sanitizing wipes too; and we used those if she had to stop at a daycare or after she went to any dog parks. We really restricted these though- she had daycare right before we left Oregon so we only used one dog park. We preferred to take time for hiking, or camping out in national forests or BLM land where she could run around off leash without pestering anyone.

It might sound like a lot to think about for sanitizing practices; but once you get into the routine it takes about 10 seconds; and could save lives.

8. Be Prepared: Poxparedness is Painfree

The worst thing is when you’re planning a hike, but you forget to bring a sports bra. Or an extra waterbottle for Chloe. Or those times when you forget greenies for your Chloe Dog, so she gets AWFUL dog breath by day 3 of the adventure. As much as I LOVE impulsive adventures; I really feel like right now is not necessarily the right time for it. If you have a place to sleep; you will know when you get your next shower; or when you will need to stop for more food. If your adventures are planned out; you won’t need to run to the store in a random heavily COVID impacted town in order to gather supplies. Make an itinerary and try to at least kind of stick to it; or at least only do random impulsive adventures that you have the supplies to enjoy!

It’s also important to prepare by getting a COVID test before embarking on a roadtrip. For those areas that have testing available, it does not hurt to be extra safe, since so many people can be asymptomatic carriers.

Touchless pay is another great way to prepare yourself before adventures! This will help prevent the exchange of cards and money- plus it’s right on your phone and so easy!

• 

9. Track Your Symptoms, Instead of Bigfoot

Okay so I actually would commend you for tracking bigfoot. That sounds like a jolly good way to socially distance. But truly- Do you have a thermometer for your trip? You really should make sure you do. NOONE, seriously no one wants to be sick while traveling. I had the flu while traveling in 2019 and let me tell you- it felt like there was a monster standing on my chest. I was traveling solo and it was really tough to plan naps, access the meds I needed, and to keep other people from getting the flu while I was so sick. Take your temp, make sure you only cough because you ate too much chocolate too fast, and wear a mask.

10. Plan a Planny Plan, a plan that plans…planny

I am seriously so opposed to having a plan. But let’s just say you are traveling to the highest waterfall in Minnesota. You get a COVID test before your adventure; so you know you won’t get anyone else sick. But then suddenly; on your way back down you end up getting a narly cough and a temperature. What the heck should you do?

Have a plan! Give someone you know nearby a heads up; so they might be able to keep tabs on you, and provide any medicine you might need. If you have enough food in a cooler; you can drive home safely and quarantine. However make sure you are sharing your plan, so that people will know where you are, and what they can do to help. This is even more especially true if traveling with your furry best friend; because it is not recommended they stay near you if you have COVID-19. Though dogs cannot currently get sick from this virus; they don’t want that to change. Keep planning friends, and keep adventuring, safely.

11. Deep Breaths are made of these

If you’re traveling because you want to, because you have to for work, because you’ve been working so many crazy hours you can’t stand to go home for a minute; or because you are relocating for a new job- whatever the reason; don’t forget to take the time to cope with what you’re going through. Road trips are incredibly healing on my opinion- so much time to talk to the Chloe dog, so much time to listen to funny podcasts or adventure books- breathing, meditating, listening to nature and just letting yourself be as you are within each adventure is amazing. If you prefer journaling, mediating, yoga or prayer just make sure you are doing it on this trip.

Sometimes we find ourselves traveling and there is so much excess death this year; it is really hard to feel safe. Make sure even if you’re kind of forced to travel that you are trying your best to enjoy it, to savor what adventure you can and just be nice to yourself.

• 

• 

• 

• 

12. Remember to Pet your Dog

Sometimes when adventuring, it is easy to forget to feed your dog, to give them time to get outside and overall to just give them some snuggles. I keep an alarm set so I remember to feed Chloe Rue at the right time; despite change of time zones or change of environment. We also spend time hiking, playing, or running everyday; so she stays well exercised and happy. Dogs love the new experiences, but it can sometimes be overwhelming for a sudden change in routine. Listen to their body language and be there for them; because they’ll always be there for you.

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

• 

TO SUMMARIZE

• BEFORE YOU GO
  • Get a COVID test
  • Make an emergency “you get sick on the road” plan
  • Prepare your groceries, at least 2 masks, sanitizer, sanitizing wipes, and a sleeping plan!
  • Bring a thermometer, EVERYTHING you need, and set up touchless payment on your phone
• ON THE ROADTRIP
  • Make wise adventure decisions
  • Remember to enjoy it!
  • Take time to make it extra fun for your dog
• AND THEN!
  • Share your pet adventures! Subscribe, join the Facebook group and check me out on Instagram! ♡

I cannot wait to hear about your barking tails!! Thanks so much for reading, enjoy your next roadtrip adventure. Until then, happy tails and happy trails ♡

Subscribe for More Barking

Find BarkingEmbarkers on Social Media! You can find us on our

Facebook group, Instagram, or Pinterest Pages. Chloe and I are also now on tiktok!

Check out our brand new Youtube Channel with a PCT “Captains Log” journal right here.

You can also ALWAYS reach out with questions by emailing us at barkingembarkers@gmail.com.