OT travel food and fuel

Re: OT travel food and fuel

Tom Dunlap

At the beginning of last week I was in Kearney NB for the Sandhill crane migration. On Thursday I drove home to Minneapolis. It was business as usual the whole way

In our current timeline though five days is ancient history. The Rowe Nature Center has closed their dawn tours. No clue about dining along the way

Re: OT travel food and fuel

Jack Guzman from Maine

Trucks are the reason for most fuel and food places on the highways. Deliveries have to keep going. Stores need restocking constantly. I doubt these places will shut down. At least the larger stations.

Re: OT travel food and fuel

John McGaw

I've not seen any outright service closings beyond "eat-in only" restaurants. Fuel should be no problem anywhere near the main highways nor should drive-through or take-out food. Lodging, I have no idea about beyond some big hotels shutting down but that really means nothing for motels and such. As always, calling ahead will help -- don't just wing it like I invariably do when traveling.

That drive will be maybe 20 hours? If so you may only need to stay overnight in one motel and if you arrange it to be near a big highway crossroads there should surely be something available to book ahead. Then again, looking at the weather up there maybe 20 hours is too optimistic?

Tom, That sounds like a fun trip.

Keith Newton

Are you a photographer, and did you get any pics you want to share? I'm sure there are some birders in the group that would be interested.

my experience and reading

John K Jordan

So far, all gas stations are open with no reports of closures. It is easy to maintain social distancing at a gas station. I'd use gloves or hand sanitizer at the pump.

There are reports of some hotels in large cities and tourist spots closing. I can't find reports of hotel closures in the interstate "exit villages", as I call them.

Some fast food restaurants around here (east TN) are closing their dining rooms but the drive thrus are remaining open. I would use caution when accepting food items and drink containers.

Some "real" restaurants have removed enough tables to provide acceptable distancing for customers. Maybe look inside before committing?

I think the safest thing to do take food with you or visit a grocery store when few people are there. I go at 6am when one here opens. Buy things like bread and peanut butter, crackers, cheese, fruit, nuts, and bottled water and eat in the car or in an uncrowded area. I may be overcautious, but I think sanitizing the packaging from the stores is wise.

Public restrooms are another issue. Use extreme caution and sanitize. Hotel bathrooms would be a better choice. My opinion.

For those who can't find hand sanitizer (completely unavailable here at leas as of yesterday), you can make it from isopropyl alcohol. But alcohol is sold out in the grocery and pharmacies and even if available is probably not the right strength. However a tip: I found 99% isopropyl alcohol yesterday at the local farm store in quarts and gallons. (It's also available on Amazon but what I found was three times the cost of the same thing at the farm store.) That, mixed in the right proportions with aloe vera gel makes good hand sanitizer.

JKJ

Re: OT travel food and fuel

David Weaver

I doubt the interstate gas stations will close, same with most locals. There are still people who need regular medical care, etc, and folks who still go to work and who have essential jobs.

I wouldn't be surprised if some restaurants close not because they have to (dine in ordering is halted in this state, but takeout is fine), but because they may figure that takeout only orders won't make it worth paying staff to stay on hand.

If that's an issue, pack war rations for the trip (kidding with the terminology, but it wouldn't be hard to figure out what you can take that you can eat if nothing else is available - it may not be inspiring to eat like that, but it'll get you there and back).

If it's especially concerning about getting gas, you can call to a next planned stop as you're leaving each fill.

Re: OT travel food and fuel

William Duffield

Instead of "war rations" you could call it MRE.

Re: OT travel food and fuel

Pete in Holland MI

A friend just drove yesterday from Michigan to Washington DC. Reported that the Ohio/Pennsylvania turnpike was not accepting cash anymore. Either use your EZ Pass, or they'll photo your license plate on the way thru the booth and bill ya later.

Not sure if you have any toll roads to cover.

Got any toilet paper to spare ? : )

Welcome back to The Mitten !

Re: Stock Up

Stuart Johnson

Buy all the bourbon you can.

1. It's alcohol

2. It tastes good

3. Many distilleries are switching to making alcohol and turning it into hand sanitizers.

FWIW, most are donating it or giving it away to those that bring their own container.

I buy my bourbon now as a social responsibility.

Colorado is closed

Mike L

I just left there this morning. You can get takeout only from drive thoughs. Hotels can not server food or beverages. Gas stations are open. I got back home to TN this afternoon and a few counties are doing the drive thoughs only idea. I would say along I80 you should be good to stop for the night and find grub. I would not plan on going to a bar.

The roads here in TN are filling up with the snowbirds heading someplace. Airlines and terminals are about empty.

Drive safe

Better memories than pictures

Tom Dunlap

My camera isn’t strong enough to get very good pics. My tripmate has a better camera but the pics haven’t been edited

Witnessing any migration is humbling. I’ve had the good fortune to see parts of a few:

Sandhill cranes-Kearney NB

Monarch butterflies-Pt Pelee National Park...just a little east of Windsor Ontario

Hummingbirds-Fall, Port Aransas, TX. They let people get within a few feet. Any phone can take wonderful pictures

Horizon Marsh, Wisconsin. The sky was filled horizon to horizon with wave upon wave of so many species of waterfowl

I’m not a birder. Just fortunate to have been in the right place at the right time

I am a tree-er though! On too many trips I drive out of my way to see trees that are fantastic. Not always big ones. Many are superlative for one reason or another

1700 or so miles.  Usually one overnight.

Re: 1700 or so miles.  Usually one overnight.

John McGaw

I really hope that if you are going 1,700 miles in two days that there is more than one driver. When I was young and stupid (well stupider than I am now) I drove 1200 miles in a single go in my Nissan Fairlady roadster and by the time I got to the other end I was nearly deaf, seriously hallucinating, and was physically unable to fall asleep as I should have.Be safe!

Re: 1700 or so miles.  Usually one overnight.

kneale brownson

Used to be 1400 from our previous residence. Did that with one overnight repeatedly. The 1700 probably would be two nights on the road, now that I think about it.

Just think, there are people who go 1000 miles *LINK*

Bruce, a MN Galoot

A day on their motorcycles. Check out Iron Butt Saddle Sore


Saddle Sore

Re: my experience and reading

John McGaw

"I found 99% isopropyl alcohol yesterday at the local farm store..."

Or in some locales you can buy 99%+ ethanol at the local liquor store. Very effective disinfectant, albeit expensive, with the advantage that you can mix it with some soda and drink it of an evening.