The Senior Scene

On six dates this year, anyone can be admitted free to Mount Rainier National Park and two other Washington locations of the National Parks System (NPS). The same is true for state parks on nine dates the rest of 2021.

Fee-free days, hosted annually by NPS at many of its parks nationwide, coincide with holidays and parks-specific observances.  In 2021, the first was on Jan. 18 (Martin Luther King Jr. Day). Still to come are April 17 (first day of National Park Week), Aug. 4 (one-year anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act), Aug. 25 (National Park Service birthday), Sept. 25 (National Public Lands Day), and Nov. 11 (Veterans Day).

In Washington, in addition to Mount Rainier, the free passes apply at Olympic National Park and Fort Vancouver National Historic Site in Vancouver. Additional information is at nps.gov.

State parks also have free admission days—for day-use only, not camping. They include March 19 (State Parks’ 108th birthday), April 3, June 5 (National Trails Day), June 12 (National Get Outdoors Day), June 13 (Free Fishing Day), Aug. 25 (National Park Service birthday), Sept. 25 (National Public Lands Day), Nov. 11 (Veterans Day), and Nov. 26. More information is available at parks.state.wa.us.

Few industries fell as fast as the travel industry during the coronavirus pandemic. But the stay-at-home orders, if anything, have given people a greater appreciation for the freedom of travel. Here are five trends to keep in mind as the U.S.—and world—begin to re-open to travelers:

1. Road trips.

2. Family travel.

There will be a greater emphasis on family travel in the weeks and months after lockdowns ease. Spending time with friends and family will become a priority, and vacationing together will be an outcome of that. In particular, multi-generational travel, a trend which was already on the rise in recent years, will continue to grow. Time apart from family members beyond one’s immediate household—and especially the separation of older relatives from younger generations—has been tough on many families, and they will seek to reconnect with quality time together away from the stress of everyday life.

3. Wide-open spaces.

Travelers are expected to seek outdoor and off-the-beaten-path adventures, with nature and wildlife prevailing over big-city attractions in the months ahead. National parks, beach resorts, wildlife reserves, and campsites will be appealing destinations for vacationers seeking to practice social distancing while benefiting from time in the open air.

4. Emphasis on health and wellness.

Over the next few months and years, people will aim to make healthier choices for themselves and seek travel experiences that both inspire and recharge. For many, the pandemic brought home the importance of a healthy lifestyle and a strong immune system, and they will want to bring that into every aspect of their lives, including travel. Travelers will seek destinations with on-site wellness centers that offer meaningful programs and are staffed by professionals who will guide experiences that enhance their health and well-being.

5. Refund policy: Full transparency.

Companies that offer the most traveler-friendly terms will have a strong competitive edge going forward. Travelers who were grounded by the pandemic too often found themselves on the losing end of stringent cancellation policies. Going forward, people are going to be extra cautious, favoring companies that are fully transparent with their refund offerings. Crises that bring travel to a halt will happen again, and travel companies need to prepare so that their customers aren’t left holding the bill.

Stephanie Quilligan wrote this article in June 2020 for the Travelscope.net blog.

Hit the ski slopes, go tubing or snowmobiling, explore cross country skiing, take a lowland nature walk, see the four-legged sights at an elk feeding station, and hang out in a cozy cabin or other lodging. That’s some of the winter fun waiting at the White Pass recreation areas and at Paradise inside Mount Rainier National Park.

For current information and updates, go online at whitepassbyway.com and nps.gov/mora. Here’s an overview of what’s out there.

• Cross country skiing: It’s a world apart from alpine skiers and snowboarders. The White Pass area has an intricate web of groomed trails at the resort, as well as scenic logging roads and open slopes. Paradise has it, too.
• Miles of groomed trails stretch out in White Pass for this mechanized recreation. Riders can weave in and out of snow-covered tree stands and race across meadows of white powder.
• Besides cross country skiing, activities at Paradise include snowshoeing, winter camping, and snowboarding.

  

AAA’s Winter 2021 Virtual Travel Show will give Washington consumers a feeling for the future of travel without having to pack a bag or leave their homes.

The show’s series of free virtual presentations, available from Jan. 12 through Feb. 28, will feature AAA travel experts and representatives of excursion companies and cruise lines in discussions of what to expect when it’s safe to travel.

Lisa Anciaux, AAA’s director of travel products, said the presentations will be “as fun, educational and exciting as any traditional in-person event.”

Anciaux will open the show Jan. 12 (at 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.) with a session on cruising and the changes travelers can expect.

AAA.com/events contains the full show schedule, details, and a registration link for each session. Attendees will receive onboard credits, savings on vacation packages, and other special offers and discounts from featured vendors and AAA stores.

Each 30-minute presentation concludes with a question and answer period. Representatives from 19 cruise lines and four travel companies booking tours by rail and land will share information about ship amenities, travel routes and customized journeys. Those concerned about booking trips they might later cancel can learn about trip insurance.

Presentations by AAA experts will cover subjects such as the solo travel, domestic departures, and packing for trips.

AAA Washington has served its members and the traveling public since 1904. Benefits for members include roadside assistance, discounts, maps, and personalized trip planning. Additional information is available at AAA.com and 1-800-562-2582.