Another article on Snowbirds, or the lack thereof

[wanderingaimles]

Just saw another article on snowbirds and how folk on both ends are trying to cope, both the ones unable to migrate, and the ones who live based on supporting the migration.
Snowbirds

[BarbaraOK]

joebedford wrote:

Galvanizd wrote:
he tells me he's acquired the product and is just waiting for Dec 21

What's the significance of Dec 21? The border will stay closed for probably another 6 months (less if the immunizations roll out faster than expected).

It is just an arbitrary date that was chosen about 3 months from the last date - they don't know how long the high rates of infection will increase so extending by 3 months at a time.

[Galvanizd]

joebedford wrote:

Galvanizd wrote:
he tells me he's acquired the product and is just waiting for Dec 21

What's the significance of Dec 21? The border will stay closed for probably another 6 months (less if the immunizations roll out faster than expected).

No significance to me. Canadian government picked that date.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2020/11/20/us-canada-border-closure-covid/https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2020/11/20/us-canada-border-closure-covid/

Yup, the vaccine will save us. The government is here to help.

[joebedford]

Galvanizd wrote:
he tells me he's acquired the product and is just waiting for Dec 21

What's the significance of Dec 21? The border will stay closed for probably another 6 months (less if the immunizations roll out faster than expected).

[joebedford]

RobWNY wrote:
I read where some Canadians are hiring truck drivers that can cross the border for work to transport their RV to a nearby location in the U.S. and then they fly to the U.S

We know two full-timer couples who have done exactly this. I have some sympathy for them as they would not have a place to live in Canada in the winter.

No sympathy for those who have a Canadian S&B and fly south anyway.

We're not going south this winter for the first time in many years.

[wapiticountry]

We are not traveling south this year, but not out of fear of Covid. Rather, it is the knowledge that most of the things we like to do will not be happening. We stay in Palm Desert and this year there will be no live theater shows, no inside dining (this extends to all the events at the country club), the College of the Desert flea market will be closed or severely limited, friends from Canada are virtually prevented from traveling due to border closures and insurance issues. You have to quarantine for 14 dys when you first arrive (and there are sure to be busy bodies minding not only their business but yours as well at every snowbird destination) And it isn't out of the realm of possibility that California might even shut down outdoor recreation again, closing the golf courses, tennis courts and even biking, hiking and just plain walking.
Traveling this year just feels like there is a huge chance of flushing money down the toilet. We don't need the aggravation or the disappointment.

[Galvanizd]

Well this is ****. This border closure stuff is causing me to go into withdrawals. My Canadian "connection" , we'll call him "Bill" usually shows up in Arizona about this time with my supply, my morning fix. After a bit of haggling over who's gonna pay, I get my product. We can't get it here in the U.S. Its made only in Canada. I'm told its made in a secret bunker of an unlisted address in the middle of nowhere but who knows.
After smuggling the product over the Canadian/US border at an undisclosed location (I'm told there are dirt roads involved), he and his wife meet with me in the desert area outside of Quartzsite and make the transaction. I've contacted "Bill" and he tells me he's acquired the product and is just waiting for Dec 21, but we're not sure what's gonna happen. If you've tried this stuff before, you know what I'm talking about. If you haven't, you're not likely to until the border opens.

Bill .....Lisa ......are you out there?

[RobWNY]

I read where some Canadians are hiring truck drivers that can cross the border for work to transport their RV to a nearby location in the U.S. and then they fly to the U.S., do whatever they need to do to comply with the regulations and then they continue on in their RV to their snowbird destination. Costly but I guess it's worth spending the money to make it happen. Supposedly there's helicopter pilots making big money flying people across the border for this purpose.

[BarbaraOK]

We’re in Mesa, AZ. Lots of open spaces, but we will see after Christmas. Only Canadians are those who leave car here and fly in. Normally a lot come in for the fall special, but not many this year. Will be interesting to see what happens after Christmas. Of course cases are surging in the state now.

[valhalla360]

pigman1 wrote:
I feel for these folks, but I'm not sure that article tells it like it really is.

I agree the article doesn't paint a full picture and there is likely some truth to the idea that it may be geographically distorted by the different rules.

But California, Nevada and New Mexico are smaller secondary snow bird destinations, so not likely to have a huge impact on the major destinations.

We were in Las Vegas and Palm Springs around a month ago. We exited California just prior to the recent increase in restrictions. Before that it was mostly a minor nuisance.

Arizona was slow for the season but largely open. We shot thru New Mexico without stopping as they seemed the most extreme. Currently on the Texas coast.

Snowbird parks do seem slower than normal but other than the Canadian border closure, it's certainly doable.

As far is isolating, we are probably more isolated in the RV than if we stayed at home. Most parks, you reserve, pay and check in by phone. Activities are drastically more limited than normal.

[pigman1]

I feel for these folks, but I'm not sure that article tells it like it really is. We've been snowbirding in the southwest since 2004 and just cancelled for this winter. While there we visit friends we've made over the 21 years I was in the Air Force as well as relatives and friends we've met from as far off as Alaska. Based on our research and input from these friends, things are not looking good. Right now, New Mexico is just about completely shut down. All state parks, hotels, motels and other accommodations are SEVERELY restricted as far as traveler confinement for new arrivals. Large stores such as Cabela's, Walmarts, grocery stores and other Big Box stores are being closed when 4 staff are diagnosed. Outdoor eating was just re-opened but no indoor dining. That'll work well in Albuquerque with sub-freezing temps. Nevada restrictions seem to change daily. Friends in Las Vegas say there are huge rushes of out of state people from California and elsewhere each weekend and Covid cases are way up. Some businesses are closing due to their self imposed restrictions and entertainment is a dog's breakfast. Arizona appears generally open, but with California closed up completely, where are all the snowbirds that usually spend time in Nevada, California, and New Mexico going to end up?? Arizona??? Oh yeah, that'll work well. I can just see 10,000 people going through the big tent at Quartzsite or trying to get a table in Silly Al's for a pizza. Talk about super spreader events... WOW!!! We cancelled. Just not worth the risks.

[TomG2]

This park in Alamo, Texas has about twenty percent of RV sites filled, but closer to sixty percent of mobile homes/park models are occupied. Permanent models have already paid for the year's rent.