In the case of Victory & Reseda, it is already set in stone back in 2011 that it will be the portal for my automotive writing and my coverage of all things sustainable transportation. Yet, there was another internal debate that I had to settle about the new brand for this website.
If we are pressed to get somewhere over hundreds of miles to some far away vacation place, we fly. That means the rigor of packing, getting bags through to the destination, going through security and getting on board when you are called to do so.
When we do get out of this pandemic, can we get back to normal? Can we travel again without resorting to extra cautionary measures that we had to deal with in 2020?
The tradition of seeing our families and friends over Thanksgiving has been tinged with the pall of the COVID-19 pandemic. What was a traditionally lucrative set of days for the travel industry, with packed planes, trains, buses, highways, restaurants, hotels, and such has become an uncertainty.
We’re tired of the restrictions, wearing masks, social distancing, not being able to see our family and friends, not being able to go out to eat or socialize…and, so forth.
It is a charming story, cottoned by the want of getting away and social distancing in a contained home. You can "work from home" in one, as long as there is a strong wi-fi hotspot nearby – or, on board. RV and van life can be a very carefree lifestyle for those who can afford to do so.
The vehicle for the road trip could have easily been an SUV, but I feared it would be less efficient even the larger interior and cargo space. Heck, it could have been a pickup truck. I would have to utilize the back seat for the luggage and the "stowaway" to reside in. A smaller car would also have compromises with luggage compared to the Camry.
Just as we thought we were slowing down the pandemic, it started to kick back up. As my trip progressed, masks were required to be worn inside any business within the state of Kansas by governor’s orders. They also have been mandated in Kansas City, Missouri. While most people complied, I found others who were brazen enough to enter stores without one.
The Mid-Continent Road Trip has shifted west into Kansas. It was also a “request stop.” This may require a long backstory with some explanations and naming names. However, that was never on my agenda on this road trip. I wanted to bless this experience by gaining new experiences, driving on new roads, and absorbing new destinations – and states driven in.
It should be a day of celebration, regardless of your political theories. However, something feels strange on this national holiday. Let’s face it, we’re a divided nation standing on both of sides of a chasm as big as the Grand Canyon. One side of the proverbial canyon fells like celebrating. The other is still upset over the powder keg that blew last month on the streets of Minneapolis and around the world.