This month saw us, like much of the nation, shifting from a rather cavalier attitude towards the SARS-Coronavirus-2 driven pandemic, to strong self isolation, physical distancing, and mask wearing when interacting with others.  Our travel plans for 2020 are gone if not forgotten, and we are staying in one place until we have a clearer picture of our options and associated risks.

The Distance: 451 miles as we departed Key West and bounced around South Florida before landing in Sanibel for an as yet undetermined length of stay.  We barely moved in January and February, so our total for 2020 is only 454 miles.

The Places:  After 11 days in March we closed out or Key West winter and headed north to visit friends in Cutler Bay for a day before heading west across the state to Koreshan State Park.  We made the last stop consistent with our original 2020 plans, visiting Rose’ mom Gloria and her husband Jerry in Venice, then headed a few miles south to Port Charlotte and several nights in our mechanics parking lot awaiting completion of our brake repairs.  We closed out the month in Perwinkle Park, where we remain to this day and for the foreseeable future. 

We spent 11 days in a military park, 4 in a state park, 5 parking lot camping, 3 with family, and 8 in a private RV resort.  We had full services for 12, partial for 9, dry camped for 7, and stayed in a house for 3.

The Budget: Almost 7% over budget.  Sure, we had 12 days with no camping fees and 11 more with low fees, but that could not counteract the budget straining items and events, or lack there of.  We had a couple of possible solid money making craft events cancelled, a $400 mechanic bill, $200 for new house batteries, topped off propane and gas, stuffed our pantry, fridge and freezer as we moved to semi-lock down mode, and ended the month at one of our priciest campgrounds. 

The Drama and Improvements:  Our mushy brakes are now good to go, the 12 volt system is operating as designed with the new house batteries.  Like everyone else in the world, lots of pandemic related drama, but not worth going back over here. 

Next up: a series of posts about our “stay sane, safe, and happy” activities in Sanibel.