Why Continuing with Travel Plans in the Age of COVID-19 is Important By Jan Smith
Colorful Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone National Park
O
ur Jul y 2020 plans were set, and the itinerar y was finalized. We were ready for a road trip to Big Sky, Montana, for a family celebration and much-needed reunion. A familiar ping on my laptop indicated an incoming email. The wedding that was became the wedding that wasn't. Due to the concerns of the pandemic, the bride and groom decided to halt their nuptials. The entire family begged to still go on the road trip. Everyone desired to get away and regain some normalcy after months in quarantine. According to the AAA, “Car trips reign supreme
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accounting for 97% of the favored mode of transportation since the pandemic began in March.” We traveled over 1,600 miles each way through seven s t a te s ( Ca l i f o r n i a , Ne v a d a , Arizona, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana). Road trips offer a chance to be with family and accumulate experiences and memories. This trip overflowed with both. As we drove north from Las Vegas, we entered one of the West's most beautiful highway driving experiences. The Virgin River Gorge twists through the towering multicolored sandstone and limestone cliffs for 14 miles. The river accompanies the road
throughout this stretch of the highway. Our standard road trip itinerary d o e s n’t a l w a y s a l l o w f o r spontaneous stops. Over time, we have learned to plan time for exploration. We stopped to check out the contemporar y white The Creamery. Its legacy began in 1952 when local farmers built a plant to supply cheese to the local community. Today, The Creamery offers all things dairy, including freshly made cheese and ice-cream. It is a respite for weary drivers on the I-15 highway. Ample and clean restrooms (a must during the pandemic) are available.
