You probably ready the title, and thought “Why were you traveling in the first place?” Good question. This was five weeks ago, just as some places were beginning to shut down. Everything seemed up in the air: would business really shutter their doors for a pandemic? How long would this last? How would this affect our lives? My fiancé and I planned our trip months earlier while COVID-19 still seemed like a distant threat. We were going to spend our time eating out at restaurants, exploring Hampton Roads, and most importantly: finding a home to rent. We were both very much looking forward to getting away and exploring the new place we would soon be calling home. Then, the morning we were supposed to leave, my fiancé was essentially forbade from traveling.
My bags were already packed, and I wanted to secure us a home while it was still possible, so I decided to press on without him. I did not completely throw caution to the wind: I came prepared with plenty of hand sanitizer, anti-bacterial wipes, and ready to practice social distancing while traveling. At the time, masks were not recommended unless you were sick, so I did not bring a mask. Luckily, my flights to Richmond were very empty so it was easy to social distance. If you know me, I try to find the positives in everything, so one nice aspect of being on a very empty jet is the flight attendants were very generous when it came to snacks and drinks. I wish it was under better circumstances, but yes, I’ll happily take that second helping of crackers and a full can of apple juice.
After landing in Richmond, I picked up my rental car in a full lot of rental cars, and drove an hour south to my bed and breakfast, The Hornsby House Inn in Yorktown, Virginia. When I arrived, it quickly became apparent I was the only guest at the grand old house. I dropped my things off in my room and didn’t even have to close the door before heading to my first house tour. I visited five houses that first day. With everyone still getting used to the social distancing rules, there were a few times I’d forget and shake the owners’ hands, then quickly remember we shouldn’t be doing that.
After traveling all that way, I was also worried that some owners may not feel safe having me tour their homes anymore. There was one house where the owner reached out to see if I had come in contact with COVID-19. The tenant’s elderly parents lived with them, so they were concerned. I told the owner unfortunately, I could not say with certainty I was not carrying the virus since I flew there. We both decided to take the risk and she let me visit the home but make sure I did not touch anything. The next day, I visited a home where they had me wear plastic gloves and shoe coverings to be safe, although with knowledge we have of the virus now, I don’t think those measures made much of a difference. Otherwise, the house tours went on as the would’ve gone on as before, minus keeping a safe distance and trying not to touch anything.
The first day I was in town, Virginia was enforcing the no more than 10 people rule, so I did eat inside restaurants for lunch and dinner. Later that night, my fiancé pointed out I probably should reduce my contact with people as much as possible since I traveled by plane. After that, I only did carry out. On the second day, after visiting three homes, I found a home I really liked, and began the arrangements to rent it out. I still had three more days in the area, so I decided to work remote the next two days. Since I was on my own, I figured it was best to save those vacation days for a time when my fiancé can actually join me.
It was quite nice working from the bed and breakfast. There were plenty of rooms to work in, and I loved being able to change up the scenery every few hours from the sun room, to the living room, the front patio, and my own bedroom. The staff was very friendly, and would drop in for conversation (at a safe distance) whenever I needed a little human interaction. This was the first vacation in three years where I was completely solo. Last time, I was in Ireland, and it was a wholly different experience. Somehow, while social distancing, I still had plenty of social interactions that kept me from feeling lonely. When I was in Ireland, I was starved for a conversation by the end of it, which is saying a lot being an introvert.
It was an odd time to be traveling, but of all places, I was thankful to be in my home country. Getting home was a worry of mine, but I figured if flights were cancelled, I could always drive. When I was not working, I drove around, went on walks, and runs. The Hornsby House also provided a delicious breakfast spread every morning along with wine & cheese three nights a week. Those perks were the reasons I booked the the B&B in the first place. My fiancé has never been to anywhere in Virginia outside of the DC metro area, while one of my fondest childhood memories was spending a family vacation in nearby Colonial Williamsburg. I didn’t want our trip to be a chore, I wanted his first experience in the region to be a fun and happy one. While that didn’t come to pass, I still grew to love the region in new ways, despite the circumstances.
On my last full day, it was rainy, which was a blessing, because no one was out. I was able to drive all the way down to Portsmouth, then back up to Williamsburg to walk around, and rarely saw anyone else. While walking around, and taking in the sights might not sound like much, it’s actually something I already enjoy doing on vacations. I may not have been able to check out museums and restaurants, but my fiancé and I will get the chance eventually once we live in the area. Before I left, I was the Hornsby House would be closing for the foreseeable future, so I was their last guest. I hope to go back there once they reopen, and if you’re visiting the area, I definitely recommend staying there for a unique and delightful experience.
My flights had several hiccups the next day. First, my second leg was cancelled, and I was booked for a later flight. Then, on my first flight, we had to do a horseshoe around Indiana since their Air Traffic Control was completely down due to an outbreak. I was still able to make my second flight, and to my surprise, the jet was packed. If I hadn’t already been carrying the virus, it seemed like I would surely catch it now. At long last, I made it home safely, and began my two week quarantine.
After more than a month, it seems by some miracle, I did not catch the virus. I look back on my travels in the time of COVID-19 with a strange fondness. Knowing what I know now, I would have postponed the trip. First and foremost, I would feel absolutely horrible if I caught the virus and passed it on to the wonderful people at The Hornsby House Inn and anyone else who could’ve contracted it. Secondly, our move date is up in the air, so the need to find housing turned out to not be as pressing as I originally thought. Right now, I am thankful to be home, that my family and I have our health and our jobs. I try to see the positives that will come out of this, and maybe it will teach us to slow down and enjoy the time we have with those we love.
Not Your Typical Millennial Travel Blog 