15 lessons I took away from my most significant trip during the pandemic

Like many Americans, my travels in the early pandemic months were confined to essential grocery runs and brief, socially-distanced strolls around the neighborhood.

It wasn’t long before I started looking for exciting and safe adventures, so in May, I secured an Airbnb in northeast Maine for the entire month of August. To top it off, I had booked an Audi Q5 from Silvercar, the same SUV I had used for shorter journeys to Colonial Williamsburg and a week on the Outer Banks.

On the morning of our departure from NYC, my girlfriend and I folded down the back seats and packed the Q5 with our suitcases, two folding bikes, two inflatable kayaks, and even our Peloton bike for the eight-hour drive to Acadia National Park in Maine. Here’s what I discovered from my biggest pandemic road trip so far.

Having a rental car provides incredible freedom

Prior to the pandemic, I was much more likely to book a flight rather than plan a road trip. Occasionally, I would rent a car, but more often, I depended on ride-hailing services or public transit for getting around. However, this summer, I completely shifted my strategy — we haven't taken a single commercial flight, choosing instead to explore the East Coast with a borrowed Audi Q5 from Silvercar. I've even learned to detour a mile or two off the highway to dodge crowded gas stations, and I always wear a mask during quick indoor bathroom stops.

Incorporating stops along the way is enjoyable

Flying is the quickest way to cover long distances, but I appreciate the variety that a road trip offers. By keeping local quarantine and entry guidelines in mind, you can enhance your trip with mid-journey stops. This time, the standout moment was our afternoon break near Portland, where we enjoyed an absolutely amazing lobster roll at Bite Into Maine.

The crowds were present, but easy to navigate around

This is where having your own vehicle becomes invaluable, along with Google Maps' satellite feature. No matter your destination, there's a good chance you can discover a less-crowded beach, lake, or trail — if the popular spots are too packed, spend a few minutes researching and create your own adventure instead. For instance, we found a fantastic (and very quiet) beach, along with an excellent location to launch our kayaks.

Remember to take your time and explore

I tend to fill my itinerary with activities, but having a month in Maine prompted us to slow down considerably — spending two hours searching for shells on a beach or arranging fun photos certainly wouldn't have crossed my mind before.

It's beneficial to unplug

I've never been particularly skilled at going "off-the-grid," despite my good intentions. However, it was refreshing to disconnect every now and then — much of Acadia lacks cell service, and our favorite beach had no signal either. Being away for a month meant this was mainly a working trip, but it was nice to take a break from technology when possible.

Folding bikes are the perfect choice

They may seem a bit goofy at first, but I’ve become a big advocate for folding bikes. We took two with us to Maine, and their compact size allowed us to keep them in the car for day trips, ensuring we always had bikes on hand whenever we found some fun trails. Dahon's Mariner D8 has become my favorite (it's priced at $749, but I managed to snag a new one for $600 on eBay).

Don’t forget to get an inflatable boat, too

Being self-sufficient during the pandemic is crucial. While there were bike and boat rentals in Bar Harbor, their operating hours could be inconsistent, prices might be high, and sanitation was a concern. So, we opted to purchase a couple of budget-friendly inflatable kayaks, which fit easily into our Audi Q5 alongside our luggage, folding bikes, and Peloton for home workouts. My favorite so far is the Intex Challenger K2, which I bought at the start of summer for just under $100 on Amazon.

Always carry your mask

Wearing a mask wasn’t necessary for most of our trip — while driving, kayaking, or lounging on a deserted beach — but other travelers often appeared unexpectedly, especially on busy hiking trails. COVID-19 spreads easily, but so does courtesy — we made a point to put our masks on when approaching other groups, and more often than not, they followed suit. If they didn’t, we would simply step (far) aside to let them pass, using that moment to appreciate the view.

Ordering food online saves a lot of time

We indulged in lobster rolls throughout the month — well over a dozen. While some areas of Maine are definitely less crowded than in previous years, we often faced long waits at the top lobster joints. Luckily, many offered online ordering, and in some cases, we could still dine on-site, especially with spaced-out picnic tables available. Plus, skipping the busy line made it easier to limit our time around others, even though most restaurant patrons were quite diligent about wearing masks.

The safest dining option is at home

Most tourists adhered to local mask guidelines, but there were exceptions. If spaced outdoor seating wasn’t an option, we would simply request our meals to-go and enjoy them back at our rental house. We didn’t save any money — we always left a generous tip — but it was much less stressful to savor the best Maine has to offer without unmasked diners nearby.

Renting a house provides great flexibility

While nothing can match the convenience of checking into a hotel — with the assurance of receiving what you pay for — having a private house truly elevated our summer experience and made dining more enjoyable and budget-friendly. We indulged in plenty of take-out during our month in Maine, but we also used the opportunity to experiment in the kitchen, like the chirashi bowls I created after discovering amazing tuna at the fish market.

You can craft your own nightlife

We certainly redefined "going out" during our month in Maine. Rather than late-night restaurant meals or a Bar Harbor pub crawl, we enjoyed our own company, sampling craft beers at home or visiting some of our favorite spots for stargazing. Being away from the hustle and bustle was a blessing — it allowed me to gain a fresh appreciation for the night sky.

Investing in a quality camera is worthwhile

For nearly a year, I've relied on Apple's iPhone 11 Pro Max as my primary camera, and it performs admirably for most of my shots. However, during this trip, I also borrowed a Samsung Galaxy Note 20 Ultra, anticipating some scenes that could benefit from a longer zoom. Priced at $1,300, the Note features a 5x optical zoom lens that got me much closer to the action without sacrificing quality. I managed to capture some impressive shots at 10x as well, which includes some digital zoom, but the 50x "Space Zoom" generally didn't impress — if you're seeking a true superzoom, a dedicated camera remains your best bet.

Elevate your photography with a drone

On the photography side, I recently earned an FAA remote-pilot certificate, adding to my travel writer credentials, and I learned a great deal about safely operating a drone during the process. Most excitingly, I found out you might legally fly in areas you’d think were off-limits. My favorite location was over the water just outside Bar Harbor, using my DJI Mavic 2 Zoom ($1,350). However, national parks are off-limits, including Acadia — always check local regulations and the FAA's B4UFLY app to ensure you're in compliance.

Consider the time of day

This could easily fall under "photography advice," but it really extends beyond just that. We quickly figured out that planning our outings around specific times of the day made a big difference — mornings were perfect for comfortable hikes or beach trips, while sunset provided the best lighting for photos. We also had to pay attention to the tides, especially when capturing the shots I wanted or safely launching our somewhat delicate inflatable boat.

In summary

Our month in Maine was just as enchanting as I had hoped. We indulged in amazing food, enjoyed countless adventures on the water, tackled challenging hikes, and experienced some of the best summer weather I've ever had.

Additionally, having an Audi Q5 from Silvercar made our trip incredibly convenient — it was wonderful to bring along two kayaks, bikes, and our Peloton for the entire month, allowing us to save on rental costs and stay active while we savored delicious lobster and other treats every day.