RV There Yet? 8 Great RV Adventures for a Socially Distanced Summer

As COVID-19 changes the way we can travel or feel comfortable traveling, people are considering renting RVs to take on road trips as an alternative summer adventure. State parks and campgrounds are beginning to reopen across the U.S., but have restrictions in place in order to balance public safety with the enjoyment of being outdoors. Some major national parks like Death Valley do not yet have plans to reopen for the summer. For the parks that do open, it is inevitable that the limited spaces will fill up quickly, so you might want to plan to visit less popular scenic destinations. And with many visitor centers and hotels remaining closed, renting an RV might be the best way to have a safe, fun summer. Be sure to check local regulations often as closures and travel restrictions change quickly.

A beautiful sunset over Sebago Lake in Maine. Paul VanDerWerf. CC BY 2.0.

New England – Sebago Lake, Maine

Nestled in southern Maine is the deepest and second largest lake in the state—Sebago Lake. Visitors can fish for Atlantic salmon, lake trout and large and smallmouth bass, among others. Locals advise anglers to use live or realistic bait when fishing because of Sebago Lake’s crystal-clear water. Visitors interested in swimming can head to any of the many sandy beaches on the shores of the lake, but should keep in mind that some of the beaches do not have lifeguard supervision. If you are more interested in hiking and biking, the nearby White Mountains provide the perfect opportunity to explore marked trails. While Sebago Lake also offers activities such as an amusement park and golf courses, they may likely be closed for summer 2020. RVs can be parked at any campground on the lake’s shores.

A beautiful view of the Loyalsock Valley in Worlds End State Park. Nicholas Tonelli. CC BY 2.0.

Mid-Atlantic – Worlds End State Park, Pennsylvania

One of the best places for a socially distanced outdoor adventure is Worlds End State Park in Sullivan County, Pennsylvania. The popular 59.2-mile backpacking trail⁠—the Loyalsock Trail⁠—plays host to a multitude of waterfalls and impressive views. For those who are not interested in hiking but still want to see what the region has to offer, Dry Run Falls is easily accessible in the neighboring Loyalsock State Forest and is located close to a parking area. Splashing in Loyalsock Creek’s ice-cold water is sure to be refreshing as the summer sun turns up the heat. Keep in mind that swimming is prohibited in any other water source at the park, and lifeguards are not on duty. Worlds End offers 70 camping sites, half with electric hookups.

Big Sable Point Lighthouse in Ludington State Park. Rachel Kramer. CC BY 2.0.

Midwest – Ludington State Park, Michigan

If you are most interested in fishing, Ludington State Park offers an abundance of bass, northern pike, bluegill, perch and walleye. A favorite hiking destination is the 112-foot Big Sable Point Lighthouse on the shores of Lake Michigan. Visitors can choose from any of the eight marked hiking trails or can head to the picturesque canoe pathway that is sure to attract avid canoers and kayakers, along with novices.  The park offers plenty of RV parks and campgrounds, some with free Wi-Fi, showers and restrooms. Visitors should keep in mind that the Michigan State Park Recreation Passport, which costs Michigan residents $12 and nonresidents $34 per vehicle, is required to enter Ludington State Park.

View of the Cherohala Skyway with the fall canopy of the adjacent northern hardwood stands, in Graham County, North Carolina. Brian Stansberry. CC BY 3.0.

South Atlantic – Cherohala Skyway, North Carolina to Tennessee

The 43-mile Cherohala Skyway is the perfect ride for those looking for vistas of forested mountainside, hiking trails, waterfalls and unobstructed scenic overlooks. The National Scenic Byway climbs up mountains for 18 miles in North Carolina and winds down the Appalachian mountainsides for another 23 miles into the deep forests of Tennessee. The Cherohala Skyway, named after the Cherokee and Nantahala National Forests that it crosses through, is free from crowds—making it a perfect destination for this summer. Along the scenic highway is Indian Boundary Lake, the Tellico River and Bald River Falls, and of course, many beautiful spots for long or short hikes. There are plenty of campgrounds along the scenic route, some more popular than others, so choose according to your comfort levels and COVID-19 regulations.

Gnarled trees dot the shores of Driftwood Beach on Jekyll Island. Jeff Gunn. CC BY 2.0.

Southeast – Jekyll Island, Georgia

For a truly unique RV destination, Jekyll Island is a great choice. Bird-watching, biking, swimming and kayaking are only some of the activities you can choose from. One of the most interesting sites to see on Jekyll Island is Driftwood Beach, which transports visitors to a surreal world. The bleached and preserved oak trees appear as though they are growing out of the sand, like a spooky, living boneyard. The Georgia Sea Turtle Center is beginning to reopen and is currently limiting admissions to 50 people at a time. Some activities at the rehabilitation center have been canceled for the time being, but keep it in mind for any future trips to Jekyll Island. The Jekyll Island Campground is available for parking an RV this summer, but reservations should be made to ensure your spot is secured.

Paluxy River in Dinosaur Valley State Park. Russ. CC BY-SA 2.0.

Southwest – Dinosaur Valley State Park, Texas

Dinosaur Valley State Park earned its name from the fossilized dinosaur tracks left in the mud along the edges of the Paluxy River in Glen Rose, Texas. The park has over 20 miles of trails to explore and hike. Visitors can book a horseback riding lesson from the Eagle Eye Ranch Carriage Company or go geocaching if they are not interested in visiting the Paluxy River to swim, kayak or fish. Park your RV in any of the 41 fully-electric campsites. Advance reservations are required.

The Fly Geyser in the Black Rock Desert Wilderness. Jeremy C. Munns. CC0.

Mountain West – Black Rock Desert Wilderness, Nevada

The enchanting Black Rock Desert Wilderness is made up of lava beds and various playas, including the dry lakebed of the prehistoric Lake Lahontan. It is home to the annual Burning Man festival, which will take place virtually this year. Visitors can hike any of the 180 miles of nearly-unexplored trails that wind through the area. One of the most exciting sites is the rainbow-colored Fly Geyser. The geyser is the man-made result of a 1964 drilling accident by a geothermal power company that was drilling a test well. Over the years, calcium carbonate deposits have formed over three large mounds that have grown to almost 6 feet tall. Artificial or not, the Fly Geyser is truly a captivating, colorful sight. RV campgrounds do not have any amenities, so keep that in mind when deciding whether to stay at the Black Rock Desert or a private campground in bordering towns.

Colorful beach glass on Glass Beach in Fort Bragg. Gustavo Gerdel. CC BY-SA 4.0.

Pacific West – Fort Bragg, California

For a beachier RV destination, the coastal city of Fort Bragg in Northern California is a great choice for its charming views. Glass Beach at the southern end of MacKerricher State Park offers an interesting alternative to plain sand beaches with its countless beads of naturally polished sea glass. Don’t miss out on Van Damme State Park’s miniature Mendocino cypress forest and be sure to visit the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens, most known for their rhododendrons that thrive in the humid, coastal climate. The Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens are not yet open to the general public, but are gradually lifting COVID-19 restrictions so it’s worth it to keep checking when they’ll be open to all visitors. Some RV parks and campgrounds in and around Fort Bragg (in particular the campgrounds in the California State Park System) are temporarily closed, while others are slowly reopening for business. Be sure to call and reserve a spot before you go.

Asiya Haouchine

is an Algerian-American writer who graduated from the University of Connecticut in May 2016, earning a BA in journalism and English. She was an editorial intern and contributing writer for Warscapes magazine and the online/blog editor for Long River Review. She is currently studying for her Master’s in Library and Information Science. @AsiyaHaou

Studying Abroad Amid Lockdown

According to the Institute of International Education, the University of Georgia ranks thirteenth in the nation for the number of students who study abroad. With over one hundred faculty-led programs and nearly 2,000 students studying abroad each year, global experiential learning promises an expanded worldview and diversified education. 

During my second year pursuing a Spanish degree at the University of Georgia, I decided to study abroad in Valencia, Spain. Expecting to explore Europe for six months, I eagerly boarded a plane from Atlanta to Madrid with three bulky suitcases. From December to January, I spent my days attending lectures at a local university, traversing the Spanish countryside, and conversing with locals. Amid my cultural immersion, reports began to emerge about the coronavirus outbreak in China. I naively believed this novel disease would not impede trips to England, France, and Portugal.  

By February, however, COVID-19 had inundated Europe, forcing many study abroad students to return home. UGA’s Office of Global Engagement, like many universities, consequently issued this statement: “The University of Georgia recognizes that international travel, communication, and partnerships are essential to UGA's academic, research, and outreach mission and supports these endeavors. Countries and areas that carry U.S. State Department Travel Advisory Level 3/4 require special consideration and review to manage and mitigate risk, and in many circumstances, require the avoidance of travel altogether.” After a soccer match against Milan, a coronavirus epicenter, Valencia’s travel advisory was raised to a level 2. 

Fearing my study abroad program would abruptly end, I intended on visiting as much of Europe as possible. For three consecutive weeks, I took advantage of cheap airfare and traveled to London, Paris, and Lisbon. Each city’s hotels, restaurants, and tourist attractions were practically vacant. I had imagined the streets of Paris, the city of romance and culture, to be bustling with music and lovers walking hand in hand. Yet, during the last week of February, Paris was eerily still. I waited for five minutes to climb the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe, while most tourists wait over an hour. In the Louvre, which normally averages 15,000 visitors per day, I observed artwork like the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo in silence. Even Champs-Elysees, the most famous street in Paris, was deserted. Apart from the occasional Parisian in mask, it seemed I had the city to myself. Days after departing Paris, the government announced, “All gatherings of more than 5,000 people in confined spaces will be cancelled.” Infamous sites that I had just toured, like the Louvre and Eiffel Tower, were closed indefinitely. 

On March 11, more chaos ensued as the World Health Organization’s Director General, Tedors Adhanom, declared the coronavirus a pandemic, stating, “We have rung the alarm bell loud and clear.” The following day, while I slept in my Valencia dorm, President Trump announced travel restrictions on 26 European countries, including Spain. Although the 30-day travel ban did not apply to legal residents of the United States, Spain simultaneously imposed a nationwide lockdown to combat the virus. Madrid barred travel to and from the city, and word spread that international flights would soon be suspended. In the early hours of March 12, I was awoken to program directors frantically pounding on my door. They affirmed we had a mere 24 hours to escape Spain on the final flight to Atlanta. 

I hastily packed clothes and souvenirs and boarded a bus to Madrid, leaving behind two suitcases full of belongings and many unsaid farewells to Spanish friends. After a five-hour excursion and many failed attempts to enter the city due to strict quarantine orders, I finally arrived at the Madrid-Barajas Airport. Panicked passengers in makeshift masks and hazmat suits rushed to their gates. Travelers emptied suitcases into trash cans to avoid long check-in lines. University students tearfully begged customer service for tickets home. While rushing through security, the customs officer reviewing my ticket murmured, “You’re lucky you found a flight out of here. Volver pronto,” meaning “come back soon.” On March 14, one day after my return to the United States, the Spanish Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez, declared a state of emergency which placed the country on lockdown and cancelled all outgoing flights. I had narrowly escaped an impending two-month state of emergency.

On March 13th, travelers in hazmat suits rush through the Madrid-Barajas Airport. Photo by Shannon Moran.

Upon arrival in Atlanta, CDC workers recommended 14-day quarantine and randomly screened a handful of passengers for fevers. On April 20, Georgia Governor Kemp disregarded public health officials by announcing, “We will allow gyms, fitness centers, bowling alleys, barbers, cosmetologists, hair designers, nail care artists, estheticians, and massage therapists to reopen their doors.” Following a chaotic return to the United States and cancellation of my study abroad experience, I continue to fear contracting and spreading COVID-19 in a state reopening. In spite of dismay and uncertainty, I witnessed the world at a pivotal moment in history. Amidst a worldwide pandemic, I visited Europe’s cultural epicenters, and volveré pronto, I will return soon.

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Shannon Moran

Shannon is a Journalism major at the University of Georgia, minoring in English and Spanish. As a fluent Spanish speaker, she is passionate about languages, cultural immersion and human rights activism. She has visited seven countries and thirty states and hopes to continue traveling the world in pursuit of compelling stories.

Explore Georgia’s Martvili Canyon

There was a time when the exquisite blue-green waters of Martvili Canyon were only open to Georgian nobles, who would visit to bathe. Now, everyone is welcome to boat and swim here. The picturesque natural wonder is located in Samegrelo, a coastal region of Georgia known for being a historical center of the country’s cuisine and culture. The two-level canyon is thick with moss and other plant life and dotted with waterfalls and caves. And even on the hottest days of summer, the water that pools in the lower level of the canyon is refreshingly cool.

This Great Big Story is by Georgia National Tourism Administration.

THIS ARTICLE WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED ON GREAT BIG STORY

GO Georgia // For the People

From nomadic sheep herders to the best night clubs in the world, Georgia is a country with a widening gap between the young and old and their ideas for the future direction of Georgia.

NOMO Films worked as a two man crew on this shoot with lot's and lot's of help from the people of Georgia. So helpful and friendly!

The country of Georgia became independent in 1991, after the Soviet Union dissolved. Since then, the Georgian people have been divided both culturally and politically. NOMO films traveled to Georgia to document the widening gap between the younger and older generations and their ideas for the future directions of Georgia.

In Georgia, the Immigration Attorney Keeping Families Together

By most accounts, living in Georgia as an undocumented immigrant is exceptionally difficult. The state is notorious for having some of the strictest immigration laws in the country. But in the face of hopelessness, immigration attorney Pamela Peynado Stewart is there, ready to fight till the end. Born in the Dominican Republic and raised in New York City, Pamela witnessed firsthand the struggles families undergo when their loved ones are detained and deported. After witnessing the conditions her uncle faced while held by ICE at Georgia’s Stewart Detention Center, Pamela was fueled to attend law school. At 29, she became the youngest and only female partner in the history of her firm. Today, she works tirelessly defending the rights and the dignity of thousands of immigrants across the country.