Strange to me that ATL to Orlando is busy, wonder if out of state tourism has recovered slightly?
And to preempt people who think I'm acting irresponsibly, you're right. It was a spur of the moment trip and sort of a mental health crisis, I felt trapped and crazy in my home in the middle of winter, if I could go back in time I don't think I'd go. The airplane was completely full and I'm guessing drink sales are way up on planes because that's the only reason you're allowed to take off your mask. Also prices were insanely cheap for flights, $250 for round trip tickets for me and my five year old daughter.
The ocean and sun did. We drove out to the coast and spent a few days at the beach. I saw the ocean for the first time in 15 years, the second time in my life I’ve been there. The sound of the waves against the shore filled with me a sense of awe and overwhelming calm that I didn’t know was possible. My daughter couldn’t stop yelling “this is amazing!”, it was her first time. We went to the beach at midnight and she wished on a shooting star. We both got a nice tan. If I could do it again I’d have just spent the whole week on the beach.
I live in Kansas and mask compliance here is actually really high in all the places I go shopping, which someone on the coasts might not expect. People just don't want to cause trouble, even if they disagree with the restrictions. My 82 year old grandmother has said as much, she has made a decision that the mental health toll isn't worth it, and she'll risk exposure to go grocery shopping, but doesn't want to cause trouble so wears her mask.
Every time I've gone back I'm reminded just how much the midwest is full of people who are good, friendly, and look out for each other.
There’s a big restaurant nearby that had 200+ people in it and no table or space restrictions. It was a full house.
In Georgia we are still under restrictions and restaurants are at half capacity.