Who goes to Texas in one of the hottest months during a pandemic?

Only a mother’s son (and his wife.)

No, she isn’t ill. She continues to be independent, to do her own housekeeping, is waiting for the DMV to open so she can renew her driver’s license and walks a couple of miles a day. So why did we pick one of the hottest month of the year to travel to a state whose COVID-19 cases are at an all-time high and increasing? Well, as she puts it, at 93 she may not live to see a vaccine.

After isolating ourselves for two weeks, we loaded up the car, put together our COVID-19 protocol kit and headed out. We understand mom when she says she can’t live forever and she has to die of something, but we didn’t want to be the ones to bring that “something” to her.

Stopping for restroom breaks, we donned masks, put on gloves, and tucked a Clorox wipe in our gloves before going inside. After using the toilet, we pulled the gloves off, (keeping the wipe in case we needed to touch a door or something when we left), washed our hands for 20 seconds, exited the restroom and used the hand sanitizer provided just outside the door. No doubt the few folks we encountered considered us to be more than careful, maybe we were labeled paranoid, but we were going to see mom.

Since the 700 mile trip requires an overnight stop (remember, we too are elderly, or so they say) we researched our “go-to” hotel chain, and was satisfied with their stated cleaning protocol, booked a room on the first floor to avoid the elevator, checked in digitally and used the room key app. On the way to College Station we passed one person in the hall; on the return trip we saw absolutely no one at the hotel.

While in College Station we stayed pretty much within the family bubble. Not knowing what the future might bring, we are glad we made the trip.

We are currently isolating (almost quarantining) until we can be COVID tested. Not much of an inconvenience as the garden needs lots of attention. It is amazing how many weeds can invade in a 10 day absence!

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