Anyone currently driving back? Lighter post to make the best of it

[SCCNJ]

So yesterday sucked. We made it to Charleston South Carolina where we supposed to spend today sightseeing then on to Disney instead we are on the road again heading back to Ontario. Bah. Anyway my kids are handling the disappointment ok.
My youngest is singing an everyone’s infected song which I have put to the LEGO song. Too dark? But these are dark times.
Same son needs to stop every twenty minutes to pee...sigh. and my husband is threatening he needs a new truck because this one might be contaminated due to my middle son sneezed. Lol. We are trying to keep our sense of humour. How is everyone else car?

 

[FigmentSpark]

We made it to Savannah last night. Turned around this morning. Better than flying and finding yourself in an airport trying to book flights home.

 

[scboyd]

Safe travels. Even though your trip didn’t happen as planned, your children are making memories with you that they will remember always!

 

[FigmentSpark]

lol, true, but first we have to get over the disappointment to be able to laugh about the adventure.

 

[mort1331]

Good spirits all. We drive home monday. Right after check in the announced the closure. Kids cried but then got up the next day and went to the parks we could. Drive home will be longer than normal.

 

[SCCNJ]

We made it home. The border at Windsor was very quick. It took us maybe 5 minutes and I was surprised we were not asked any medical questions or told to self-quarantine. We are going to of course stay home for the two weeks. I hope everyone still travelling has a safe smooth trip home. We know we made the right decision, but as I woke up in my own bed this morning my first thought was still well this SUCKS!
Such is life sometimes.

 

[FigmentSpark]

Same here. Home through Buffalo. No lines. It was quick and easy. He asked if we were feeling well and if we'd been to Italy. (yes and no, respectively) Then asked where we went (as far as Georgia) and waved us on. No one said anything about quarantines. Just move along.

There were maybe 10 cars and a truck at the border.

 

[Disney Addicted]

I know a couple who just came back across the border yesterday from Florida. They were only asked if they were well and had they gone anywhere else outside of their Florida vacation. That's it.

 

[bankr63]

We are here in Hilton Head (HHI - SC) and enjoying our time. See my post about the drive down here:
https://www.disboards.com/threads/i...an-flying-from-florida.3796720/#post-61682642
At this point, I see no need to return to Ottawa as the infection rate is lower where we are and our risk factors are lower. It's much easier to do social isolation when the weather is warm and you can get outside and away from the madding crowds. We will have to self-isolate when we return, but DW now has 2 extra weeks off school anyway, I may have to delay or livestream a couple of meetings. Plan is still to hang in until next Saturday unless we see any signs that things are really getting difficult. Will be considering a straight drive home (18 hours) if it gets bad, but otherwise may enjoy some attractions on the way home (Shenandoah NP/Skyline Drive?) since we have the time now. Going to stay away from the big box more; Walmart was a zoo while the Piggly Wiggly was quiet and civilized.

 

[mort1331]

We are here in Hilton Head (HHI - SC) and enjoying our time. See my post about the drive down here:
https://www.disboards.com/threads/i...an-flying-from-florida.3796720/#post-61682642
At this point, I see no need to return to Ottawa as the infection rate is lower where we are and our risk factors are lower. It's much easier to do social isolation when the weather is warm and you can get outside and away from the madding crowds. We will have to self-isolate when we return, but DW now has 2 extra weeks off school anyway, I may have to delay or livestream a couple of meetings. Plan is still to hang in until next Saturday unless we see any signs that things are really getting difficult. Will be considering a straight drive home (18 hours) if it gets bad, but otherwise may enjoy some attractions on the way home (Shenandoah NP/Skyline Drive?) since we have the time now. Going to stay away from the big box more; Walmart was a zoo while the Piggly Wiggly was quiet and civilized.

Are you at Disney HH. How busy? Thinking of stopping on way home from WDW.

 

[bankr63]

Are you at Disney HH. How busy? Thinking of stopping on way home from WDW.

We are at Coral Sands, not Disney. The island is a bit quieter than usual, and things are slowly shutting down. Most of the major stores at the outlet mall have closed, restaurants remain open for now. Grocery stores are well stocked for the most part, some paper goods and things like hand sanitizer are out of stock. Still the weather is nice, the bike trails are plentiful, and it is easy to exercise social distancing while strolling the broad sandy beaches. There were only 4 clusters of families at the pool today (a bit cool) and the only place that was 'dangerous' was the hot tub.

Coral Sands appears to be about 50% occupancy (based on counting cars in the lot). Disney is a pretty popular resort here, but worth calling to see if there is availability.

 

[mort1331]

We are at Coral Sands, not Disney. The island is a bit quieter than usual, and things are slowly shutting down. Most of the major stores at the outlet mall have closed, restaurants remain open for now. Grocery stores are well stocked for the most part, some paper goods and things like hand sanitizer are out of stock. Still the weather is nice, the bike trails are plentiful, and it is easy to exercise social distancing while strolling the broad sandy beaches. There were only 4 clusters of families at the pool today (a bit cool) and the only place that was 'dangerous' was the hot tub.

Coral Sands appears to be about 50% occupancy (based on counting cars in the lot). Disney is a pretty popular resort here, but worth calling to see if there is availability.

Thanks but driving straight. 1/3rd done. Quick rest stop. Shiuld be home 9,10am tues.

 

[ottawamom]

safe travels @mort1331

 

[Starwind]

We made it home. The border at Windsor was very quick. It took us maybe 5 minutes and I was surprised we were not asked any medical questions or told to self-quarantine. We are going to of course stay home for the two weeks. I hope everyone still travelling has a safe smooth trip home. We know we made the right decision, but as I woke up in my own bed this morning my first thought was still well this SUCKS!
Such is life sometimes.

Same here. Home through Buffalo. No lines. It was quick and easy. He asked if we were feeling well and if we'd been to Italy. (yes and no, respectively) Then asked where we went (as far as Georgia) and waved us on. No one said anything about quarantines. Just move along.

There were maybe 10 cars and a truck at the border.

I know a couple who just came back across the border yesterday from Florida. They were only asked if they were well and had they gone anywhere else outside of their Florida vacation. That's it.

This is a little disturbing. Glad it was easy sailing across the border, but it is disturbing they are not advising of the requirement to self isolate for 14 days or providiing any additional information.

Hopefully with the changes CBSA announced yesterday that will change.

SW

 

[Starwind]

We are here in Hilton Head (HHI - SC) and enjoying our time. See my post about the drive down here:
https://www.disboards.com/threads/i...an-flying-from-florida.3796720/#post-61682642
At this point, I see no need to return to Ottawa as the infection rate is lower where we are and our risk factors are lower. It's much easier to do social isolation when the weather is warm and you can get outside and away from the madding crowds. We will have to self-isolate when we return, but DW now has 2 extra weeks off school anyway, I may have to delay or livestream a couple of meetings. Plan is still to hang in until next Saturday unless we see any signs that things are really getting difficult. Will be considering a straight drive home (18 hours) if it gets bad, but otherwise may enjoy some attractions on the way home (Shenandoah NP/Skyline Drive?) since we have the time now. Going to stay away from the big box more; Walmart was a zoo while the Piggly Wiggly was quiet and civilized.

FYI, some things to take into account if you have not already:

Be aware that it is likely any travel medical insurance you have from Canada will no longer be in effect in the near future. Check with your provider.

This the statement from our insurance company:

Out of Country Emergency Medical Insurance Coverage

For Out of Country Medical Insurance, a travel advisory of “Avoid all travel” or “Avoid non-essential travel” will impact insurance coverage.

• Out of country emergency medical coverage is not available if a formal travel advisory is issued before your departure;
• Customers who book future travel to a location which is currently under a relevant travel advisory (including cruises) will not have medical coverage in these locations if the advisory is still in effect at the time of travel;
• If a travel advisory is issued after departure, medical coverage for that location is limited to a period of 10 days from the date of the travel advisory or formal notice was issued, or to a period that is reasonably necessary for you to safely evacuate the country, region or area.
• Because of the advisory to “Avoid all cruise ship travel,” beginning March 9, 2020, customers who depart on a cruise after this date will not have out of country medical coverage.

Please visit https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories for the most up-to-date information.

There is also an impact on travel cancellation/interruption coverage.

Also, if when you do return you are at all ill, you will not be allowed into the country, so could get stuck in the US longer than expected.

Finally, the border is open for now, but there is a risk that will change in the future.

 

[damo]

FYI, some things to take into account if you have not already:

Be aware that it is likely any travel medical insurance you have from Canada will no longer be in effect in the near future. Check with your provider.

This the statement from our insurance company:

Out of Country Emergency Medical Insurance Coverage

For Out of Country Medical Insurance, a travel advisory of “Avoid all travel” or “Avoid non-essential travel” will impact insurance coverage.

• Out of country emergency medical coverage is not available if a formal travel advisory is issued before your departure;
• Customers who book future travel to a location which is currently under a relevant travel advisory (including cruises) will not have medical coverage in these locations if the advisory is still in effect at the time of travel;
• If a travel advisory is issued after departure, medical coverage for that location is limited to a period of 10 days from the date of the travel advisory or formal notice was issued, or to a period that is reasonably necessary for you to safely evacuate the country, region or area.
• Because of the advisory to “Avoid all cruise ship travel,” beginning March 9, 2020, customers who depart on a cruise after this date will not have out of country medical coverage.

Please visit https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/advisories for the most up-to-date information.

There is also an impact on travel cancellation/interruption coverage.

Also, if when you do return you are at all ill, you will not be allowed into the country, so could get stuck in the US longer than expected.

Finally, the border is open for now, but there is a risk that will change in the future.

I think we discussed already on this thread that
Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms makes it unconstitutional for the Canadian government to deny a Canadian entry into Canada

 

[Starwind]

I think we discussed already on this thread that
Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms makes it unconstitutional for the Canadian government to deny a Canadian entry into Canada

While that is true, there are experts who have said the government may still be able to impose restrictions on mobility due to the public health emergency, or by closing the infrastructure that allows the travel/mobility to occur.

See https://globalnews.ca/news/6673743/coronavirus-travel-restrictions-canada/

 

[Donald - my hero]

Thanks but driving straight. 1/3rd done. Quick rest stop. Shiuld be home 9,10am tues.

let us know when you're home. I'm sure I'm not the only one who's anxious for you to be on this side of the border

 

[FigmentSpark]

This is a little disturbing. Glad it was easy sailing across the border, but it is disturbing they are not advising of the requirement to self isolate for 14 days or providiing any additional information.

Hopefully with the changes CBSA announced yesterday that will change.

SW

To be fair, we crossed on Sat afternoon. Thing have hopefully changed by now.

 

[SCCNJ]

To be fair, we crossed on Sat afternoon. Thing have hopefully changed by now.

We were home Saturday 12:30am and while I was asked no questions, my in-laws came back last night and were asked about their health, if they traveled beyond the US, and were given detailed instructions on how to self-isolate. At least the measures are improving a little. :S
However, Seeing the pictures of Clearwater beach from Monday is more than a little disturbing. Seriously, going to the beach? Everyone just stay home!
On a related note, I think I'm on day 4 of isolation and I keep forgetting what day it actually is! It's all starting to blend together.. lol