COVID Spring/Summer Round 2: Whatcha planning?

[Waquoit]

I think you mean Crowes, but who cares. They're back, again?! Loved them, but the love faded as Chris R got weirder.

No, Crows. $5 tickets.

 

[Waquoit]

Do yourself a favor and get a hotel in Clovis or up by the university.. Fresno is a dump.

We're staying halfway between the stadium and the Sizzler.

 

[huskeynut]

Live in a 55+ community in central Florida. Things never eally shut down completely. A lot of the big activities were cut back. We were not hermits in our house like many. We did have friends over for food and drink. The nice thing about Florida is you live outside on you lanai. We went to restaurants. Obviously social distancing and masks were in order. Most restaurants have outside dining anyway.

Yesterday was the first time in over 13 months that a swing band I play in rehearsed. It felt great to get back to playing live music. The other band I play in will start full rehearsals in a couple of weeks. The rhythm section is rehearsing now - two new members to break in. Concerts are schedule starting in September. One of our tenor sax players is 93 and will blow your socks off.

Our oldest son and his family are coming down in 10 days!!!!!!!! We haven't seen them in person since November of 2019. Grandkids running around the house will be a joy. Already planning a chicken parm dinner. Our 12 year old grandson loves to cook and bake and he requested that he and Poppa cook chicken parm. He'll do most of the work.

We are lookning to take a six day trip with our travel club to Tennessee in October. Great itinerary which includes a trip to the Jack Daniels Distillery. Also looking at a trip in May to Key West or Savanah, GA.

Plus we are back to having neighbors and friends over for pot luck and drinks. Being retired means you have time to party.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Any difference wearing a mask in the air vs ground?

Sometimes when I'm flying the oxygen seems low, and I breath harder. Not all the time and only temporary when it happens.

Haven't flown since the pandemic.

I'd suggest it's a combination of type of mask you are wearing,length of flight, age of aircraft and any existing respiratory issues.

Commercial aircraft are pressurized to 8000', give or take.

Some newer aircraft like the Boeing 787 pressurize at 6000' meaning breathing should be easier. Doubtful you'll get too many domestic flights on a 787 but general rule if newer planes have better (lower altitude) pressurization has merit and could be worth some Googling.

Also, while eating or drinking you lower your mask, so some slow sipping or munching can ease the burden on your lungs if need be.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Desperately trying to finish up college visits ahead of the May 1 deadline. It’s such a disaster. Today we head to Northeastern, which will at least let us in the welcome center and give us info for a self guided tour. It’s opening day at Fenway, so that should add a little something. wish it wasn’t so cold today.

Fordham, which has been literally locked up for a year now, is finally allowing on site tours. They announced it this week and those spots filled fast. My guess is that few kids were accepting their offers because they had never been allowed on campus. Most schools you can drive or walk around on your own. But not Fordham, as the Bronx campus is gated and fenced in. So that comes up in two weeks.

Probably want to make one last trip to UVM as well, so she can explore Burlington in the spring. Let my daughter and a friend explore it on their own a bit like they would in college, while my wife and I get beer at Foam. There’s a damned good pizza place there too, can’t recall the name.

I cannot wait for this decision to be made. It has been hanging over us like the sword of Damocles Then we can figure out summer later.

 

[fatlucy]

Mountain biking in Moab in May, Nantucket in July, sharing a rental house in the thimble islands in August and Puerto Rico in October.

 

[RichZ]

Avoiding air travel and crowds. Trying to figure out what to do about my niece's upcoming wedding. 150 people? I don't care if everybody's wearing a mask, I know damned well at least 30% to 40% will be unvaccinated.

I'm getting tired of asking people of they've been vaccinated before making plans with them.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Desperately trying to finish up college visits ahead of the May 1 deadline. It’s such a disaster. Today we head to Northeastern, which will at least let us in the welcome center and give us info for a self guided tour. It’s opening day at Fenway, so that should add a little something. wish it wasn’t so cold today.

Fordham, which has been literally locked up for a year now, is finally allowing on site tours. They announced it this week and those spots filled fast. My guess is that few kids were accepting their offers because they had never been allowed on campus. Most schools you can drive or walk around on your own. But not Fordham, as the Bronx campus is gated and fenced in. So that comes up in two weeks.

Probably want to make one last trip to UVM as well, so she can explore Burlington in the spring. Let my daughter and a friend explore it on their own a bit like they would in college, while my wife and I get beer at Foam. There’s a damned good pizza place there too, can’t recall the name.

I cannot wait for this decision to be made. It has been hanging over us like the sword of Damocles Then we can figure out summer later.

At the risk of....screw it.

Really like Folino's pizza in Burlington.

 

[HuskyHawk]

Any difference wearing a mask in the air vs ground?

Sometimes when I'm flying the oxygen seems low, and I breath harder. Not all the time and only temporary when it happens.

Haven't flown since the pandemic.

I tried with an N95 and was just too uncomfortable. Switched to my wife’s three ply cloth mask and that was fine. I’ve had the problem you describe on trans Atlantic flights. Never domestic. No issues breathing and the air filtration is very good. Boston had social distant gate seating. Savannah did not. For longer trips I’d suggest multiple masks, so you can switch for a fresh one.

 

[HuskyHawk]

At the risk of....screw it.

Really like Folino's pizza in Burlington.

Yes, I know. But it really has been a mess compared to what normal would be. Over soon. Wish she was one of those kids open to big public universities somewhere. That would be easy. Two of my friend’s kids also graduating this year are headed to UConn. A third might but hasn’t decided.

Folino’s is the place I was thinking of! Had good taps too, no surprise for Burlington. Best hamburger I ever had was in Burlington as well.

 

[Chin Diesel]

Yes, I know. But it really has been a mess compared to what normal would be. Over soon. Wish she was one of those kids open to big public universities somewhere. That would be easy. Two of my friend’s kids also graduating this year are headed to UConn. A third might but hasn’t decided.

Folino’s is the place I was thinking of! Had good taps too, no surprise for Burlington. Best hamburger I ever had was in Burlington as well.

I had Folino's in December but it was takeout only.

Foam's Experimental Jet Set was great.

You should bring a U-haul trailer just to stop by the Beverage Warehouse near UVM.

 

[HuskyHawk]

I had Folino's in December but it was takeout only.

Foam's Experimental Jet Set was great.

You should bring a U-haul trailer just to stop by the Beverage Warehouse near UVM.

It isn’t the place I was thinking. I’ve been to the Shelburne Folinos. It’s next to Fiddlehead and they let you BYOB. The place in Burlington I liked is American Flatbreads. Very good. Home | American Flatbread

 

[Kitaman]

I tried with an N95 and was just too uncomfortable. Switched to my wife’s three ply cloth mask and that was fine. I’ve had the problem you describe on trans Atlantic flights. Never domestic. No issues breathing and the air filtration is very good. Boston had social distant gate seating. Savannah did not. For longer trips I’d suggest multiple masks, so you can switch for a fresh one.

Yeah come to think about it, it was only on international flights I experienced the breathing issues, and never on domestic. The multiple mask is a great suggestion.

 

[UCTitleTown]

Fishing far away from humanity.

 

[Jbirdp5]

North wildwood in late June. Did it last summer in august and there were still lots of restrictions. Hoping for a smoother time this summer with vaccinations hopefully really taking the edge off.

 

[husky99]

No judgement.... seriously. Or i will sick fishy on you with raw chicken....

Back on the trail. Hiking mt. Biking and fishing season soon.... (i like to start late April)

Also wildly into DnD. (Yup like ET) 6 teachers are playing of a few loved ones... absolutely a drinking game

 

[Chin Diesel]

Fishing far away from humanity.

That could have been on your schedule for the past year.

 

[Hey Adrien!]

Any tips/suggestions to either St. Thomas or Puerto Rico? We did our honeymoon in Saint John six years ago, but looking for something more reasonably priced this summer.

Thinking about booking a three-night anniversary trip down there in July. Is it worth spending any time in San Juan?

 

[Waquoit]

Any tips/suggestions to either St. Thomas or Puerto Rico? We did our honeymoon in Saint John six years ago, but looking for something more reasonably priced this summer.

Thinking about booking a three-night anniversary trip down there in July. Is it worth spending any time in San Juan?

I'm going to PR in a couple weeks. Four nights at a beachfront resort and airfare for 2 from BOS for $1200 out the door. Old San Juan and days at the beach is our plan.

 

[jleves]

I've been uber conservative about isolating for the last year, so much so I burned up a bunch of vacation and retired 5 months early instead of being forced to go back into the office. I go to the grocery store every 10 to 14 days and stay home in between. We've been to my in laws a half dozen or so times where we sit in the back yard 10+ feet apart for 30 minutes. We maybe get take out or delivery 2 or 3 times a month. Obviously more conservative than most.

I just got my first vax yesterday and second one at the end of the month. In two weeks, the first vax should be good enough to start venturing out.

Things I'm going to do:

• Go to Arizona often to see grandkids (we live in SoCal - 3 to 4 hour drive)
• Go to the driving range a number of times (I haven't played more than three rounds in 20 years, but played a ton as a kid/high school)
• Play a few rounds with my 25 year old equipment
• Go get a professional fitting for new equipment
• Hit a couple hundred balls and play at least three rounds a week going forward
• Get back to spending at least 8 hours a week at the forge - learn how to make Damascus knives
• Take a welding class
• Go to the store anytime I need a specific ingredient or want to make something particular without waiting two weeks
• (this one sucks) go back to CT this summer to give my father a proper funeral/burial next to my mom
• Spend a bunch of time with friends having drinks/bbq in the back yard
• Go out to eat anytime we want
• Take at least a 21 day vacation in Hawaii

 

[WeAreUCONN]

Taking my daughter to universal Orlando in May for five days. Then going to Martha’s Vineyard with my mom and brother in July for a week. Cant freakin wait.

 

[Chin Diesel]

I've been uber conservative about isolating for the last year, so much so I burned up a bunch of vacation and retired 5 months early instead of being forced to go back into the office. I go to the grocery store every 10 to 14 days and stay home in between. We've been to my in laws a half dozen or so times where we sit in the back yard 10+ feet apart for 30 minutes. We maybe get take out or delivery 2 or 3 times a month. Obviously more conservative than most.

I just got my first vax yesterday and second one at the end of the month. In two weeks, the first vax should be good enough to start venturing out.

Things I'm going to do:

• Go to Arizona often to see grandkids (we live in SoCal - 3 to 4 hour drive)
• Go to the driving range a number of times (I haven't played more than three rounds in 20 years, but played a ton as a kid/high school)
• Play a few rounds with my 25 year old equipment
• Go get a professional fitting for new equipment
• Hit a couple hundred balls and play at least three rounds a week going forward
• Get back to spending at least 8 hours a week at the forge - learn how to make Damascus knives
• Take a welding class
• Go to the store anytime I need a specific ingredient or want to make something particular without waiting two weeks
• (this one sucks) go back to CT this summer to give my father a proper funeral/burial next to my mom
• Spend a bunch of time with friends having drinks/bbq in the back yard
• Go out to eat anytime we want
• Take at least a 21 day vacation in Hawaii

Take the welding class and screw the golf club fitting.

Make your own custom clubs.

 

[Chin Diesel]

I've been uber conservative about isolating for the last year, so much so I burned up a bunch of vacation and retired 5 months early instead of being forced to go back into the office. I go to the grocery store every 10 to 14 days and stay home in between. We've been to my in laws a half dozen or so times where we sit in the back yard 10+ feet apart for 30 minutes. We maybe get take out or delivery 2 or 3 times a month. Obviously more conservative than most.

I just got my first vax yesterday and second one at the end of the month. In two weeks, the first vax should be good enough to start venturing out.

Things I'm going to do:

• Go to Arizona often to see grandkids (we live in SoCal - 3 to 4 hour drive)
• Go to the driving range a number of times (I haven't played more than three rounds in 20 years, but played a ton as a kid/high school)
• Play a few rounds with my 25 year old equipment
• Go get a professional fitting for new equipment
• Hit a couple hundred balls and play at least three rounds a week going forward
• Get back to spending at least 8 hours a week at the forge - learn how to make Damascus knives
• Take a welding class
• Go to the store anytime I need a specific ingredient or want to make something particular without waiting two weeks
• (this one sucks) go back to CT this summer to give my father a proper funeral/burial next to my mom
• Spend a bunch of time with friends having drinks/bbq in the back yard
• Go out to eat anytime we want
• Take at least a 21 day vacation in Hawaii

Take the welding class and screw the golf club fitting.

Make your own custom clubs.

Better yet combine welding, forge, and golf.

Create a Damascus golf club that can hit a golf ball.

Doug Marcaida will declare your club "It will slice!".

 

[XLCenterFan]

Lots of golf (again). Took the year off from vacations so as soon as the wife and I get our vax we are flying to Ft. Lauderdale for a few nights. Also have houses booked in Welfleet and the CT shore.

 

[XLCenterFan]

Any tips/suggestions to either St. Thomas or Puerto Rico? We did our honeymoon in Saint John six years ago, but looking for something more reasonably priced this summer.

Thinking about booking a three-night anniversary trip down there in July. Is it worth spending any time in San Juan?

I've been to both. The wife and I love Puerto Rico - have been 3 times. We always say you can leave Bradley at 8 and be on a beach by noon. We stay at Isla Verde, which is about a 10 minute drive to San Juan/Old San Juan. Stay in Isla Verde, and do a day trip to Old San Juan. You can also do a day trip to El Yunque, the rain forrest. Isla Verde is great...there is a strip of hotels/casinos all along the beach, all with great restaurants and pools/food/drinks on the beach. We have stayed at 3 different resorts there, but our favorite is the Intercontinental (I think it goes by Royal Sonesta now). Pay the extra $50 per night and get an ocean view room with a balcony. Let me know if you have any questions.