Key West Is Strange

Life in Key West these days is strange (and not the usual "strange" that we all love about Key West). It's been a week since all visitors were told to leave. Friday (March 27th), a check point was set up preventing non-residents from entering the Keys by vehicle and Higgs Beach was closed. The pelicans and tarpon that used to circle the fishing boats hoping for scraps have moved on. There are still a couple of flights arriving daily but that's a LOT less than usual. Bras are optional. There are probably more women not wearing bras then there are women wearing them! There are fewer and fewer restaurants staying open for carry-out and delivery. The only thing normal and not out-of-place are the bums. (That's how they are referred to here.) They still hang in their same spots. Funny how seeing them is reassuring. 

We have been saving a ton of money by eating/drinking on the boat. Many bars/restaurants are taking advantage of the down time and cleaning and remodeling. Duval St. is getting repaved and the corners on Greene and Caroline streets are being replaced. Our "garage" (the V-berth) has been rearranged to accommodate canned goods in case we need to leave and have to anchor out for days on end. Our local grocery store, Fausta's Food Palace, has food. There are still people walking around and riding bikes/scooters (us included).

So this will be our home for at least the month of April. Hopefully we can start our migration north in May but if there's ever a place to be 'stuck', this is it!

Southernmost Point

Above three -- all Duval St.

Mallory Square

One of the last places to close even though everyone was practicing 'social distancing'.

The "garage" stocked with can goods.

Above three - Duval St. is getting repaved.

Decisions

Surreal. That's what Key West is like right now. We have been at Conch Harbor Marina since January 31st. It's been great and one of the best decisions we've made on our journey south. There's a certain rhythm that we had gotten used to. Ferries coming and going, charters, sunset cruises, tourists and locals. It's so quiet now. Even the birds and fish seem to sense something is very different. My son and his girlfriend came down for a vacation with us during their Spring Break from Salisbury University. They arrived last Sunday, 15 March. In less than a week, Key West went from a fun loving town to a ghost town. Fortunately they left this morning -- literally in the nick of time -- driving to Ft. Lauderdale, flying to BWI and driving back to Salisbury. There was a big lump in my throat when we said our good-byes. The rest of their school year is over and he most likely will not get to 'walk' and receive his diploma. He's very bummed. He loves Salisbury and takes his role as president of the Kappa Sigma fraternity very seriously. We were going to fly back with them to surprise my mom for her 80th birthday tomorrow and return Monday. As of last Monday, we decided that just was not a prudent idea for many many reasons. Most of all potentially infecting my parents.

Like everyone, everywhere, we are confronting and evaluating everything related to the Corona Virus. Our plans were to leave here on/about April 1st (always depends on a weather window) and make our migration north to Maryland in time for Nick's graduation then cruise through Canada. Well that's all changed and we had to make some decisions rather quickly as conditions are rapidly deteriorating. Monroe County (the Florida Keys) will be closed to visitors along with hotels, short-term rentals, marinas, RV parks, etc effective 6pm, 22 March. Fortunately we've been here more than 30 days on an 'extended lease' and can stay. Otherwise, we'd be forced to leave. So we pretty much had two choices:

- Leave tomorrow and start heading north. And head to where? We are very self sufficient and can anchor out but eventually we will need food, fuel, water and a pump out. And if marinas are closed, how will we get those items? We could dinghy ashore for food and fill two five-gallon jugs with water -- maybe. At some point there will be a storm and we'll need a slip. If marinas are closed, then what? The Waterway Guide has a COVID-19 Marina/Services Reports database but things are changing daily as panic is sweeping our nation. What about locks and draw bridges? Will they remain operational? And operational to non-commercial traffic? Going 'outside' is an option for some stretches but we'd prefer to stay 'inside'. We're basically 9-5 boaters. And things always break on a boat. Getting parts/repairs may be a major challenge.

- Stay put. Yes, it's expensive! But we're here and, as of now, can stay here through April. We can walk and bike to get groceries and other essentials. Restaurants are carry-out/delivery only. Florida has lifted the prohibition of restaurants being able to sell alcohol to-go and can sell/deliver that as well. It's still paradise here (although a quieter paradise) and there have been no cases of COVID-19. Beaches and pools are closed as well but we can still get out, walk around and enjoy fresh air and sunshine. It's easy to 'social distance' when there's no one around.

So.... as of now, we're staying put and taking things day-by-day. There are too many 'what-ifs' to leaving right now. Everyone seems to be treating outsiders like lepers and we don't really see the need to put ourselves in harms way if it isn't necessary. Another plus to staying -- the bath house has toilet paper!!!