Hard to believe it’s been a month since we arrived to Sanford aboard our boat.
It feels like both a year ago, and a day ago. How weird time flows these days. I know we’re not alone in that feeling as each day seems like a repeat of the last.
Earlier this week we were interviewed by the Wall Street Journal for a piece they were doing on RVers displaced by the pandemic. They found us via a post we did recently on the topic (Sheltering in Place as a Nomad During COVID-19).
We thought we might help bring light to the plight of full time RVers and boaters who are having difficulty finding RV Parks and Marinas to shelter in place at as they shut down.
We were amused when the article – Virus Maroons Some Recreational -Vehicle Nomads profiled mostly others like us who have found places to be.
Since the WSJ requires a subscription to read their articles, here’s the paragraphs about us:
“Some of the most hard-core nomads are marooned. For 14 years, Cherie Ve Ard and Chris Dunphy have been full-time travelers. They split their time between an RV and a 47-foot motor yacht.
When virus worries began growing earlier this year, Ms. Ve Ard and Mr. Dunphy hoped to continue their wandering. Then, noticing that marinas and RV parks were restricting entry, they quickly lined up a mooring in Sanford, Fla., where they plan to live on their boat—with their cat, Kiki—until travel becomes less perilous.”
On pause, for sure.
But marooned?
Life Marooned
We feel very fortunate that we had choice in the matter of where we ended up for sheltering in place. Yes, it took a bit of foresight and effort to make it happen, but it’s also a blessing that our top choice marina was still able to accept new arrivals and we were able to get there.
We selected Sanford for a myriad of reasons, which include:
- Close to family & friends (so when restrictions ease up, we can see them)
- Marina in
walkingstumbling distance of historic downtown - Local restaurants doing take-out for as long as they’re allowed
- Local breweries and pubs doing take-out beverages
- Riverwalk right at the marina with nearly 3 miles of walking
- Wicked fast cellular internet speeds on all 4 carriers
- Hospital nearby, and our physician of record nearby
- Grocery delivery from several stores
- Decent hurricane protection
We have pump out service, electricity, fresh water and affordable dockage. We’re on our boat, our most comfortable of our nomadic fleet. We have lots of space to move around. We now have two office spaces thanks to finally getting the pilot house setup too. We have an exercise bike on board. We have a washer/dryer on board. We have two bathrooms.. one even with a bathtub!
And in many ways, daily life – when we don’t think about the whole global scale of things – feels somewhat normal for us.
We’ve lived together in small spaces essentially 24/7 for nearly 14 years now.
We’ve worked from home remotely for decades and we still continue to do so. We’re blessed our business happens to still be relevant in this new world, and keeps us busy with plenty of distractions.
We’re introverts who stay home a lot anyway, and are easily amused watching our cat watch bird videos on YouTube.
So while the WSJ got most their facts right about us (and included Kiki) – we definitely don’t feel marooned. We actually feel pretty darn abundant and blessed.
Of Course.. Life isn’t Normal
While there’s not much we’d do differently on a daily basis, life isn’t normal right now. For anyone.
And won’t be for some time.
We will eventually miss actively traveling and exploring. We miss being able to meetup with friends and fans regularly. We miss going to the theatre, or a live concert (in person), or a street festival or going to a RV/boat rally.
But those things are so small in comparison to the gravity of the big picture – the very real severity the virus can cause and those working tirelessly to try to save as many lives as they can.
Of course the whole weight of the pandemic gets to us at times and saps our energy right out.
We go through depressive mood swings. Moments of feeling disconnected. Scared and frustrated. Worried about others not as well positioned to endure the economic impact.
We’re worried about the long term implications around the world.
Some days we just have to skip reading the news or being on social media.
From what we hear from others, we’re not alone in this – not even remotely.
And we all absolutely should give ourselves permission to grieve that and feel these emotions. They’re real, and this whole experience is surreal.
But in the grand scheme of things – I think we’re personally doing overall well. We try to return to our center of positivity, hope, love and gratitude.
Content Creation?
We had big aspirations during this forced downtime to get caught up on content here on the blog and to host more live events.
I even started to line up a schedule of topics to cover, and guests to bring on.
But the energy just hasn’t been there.
So instead, we’re doing as we always do – sharing when the energy is there.
This evening, we had some spare energy and went live on YouTube – shared a bit about life here in Sanford and made a veggie curry in the Instant Pot.
If you’re bored, here’s the archive:
I forgot to ask .. are you still looking for an aluminum fabricator for your tower solar panel
I have two people in mind one in Titusville and one in Cocoa both a professional fabricators
If you do ? text me or email me
Thanks.. we completed the solar installation over a year ago 🙂
Hope you guys are doing great…the best part of boredom well there’s really isn’t any
It’s amazing how many little projects to get done
I saw this and I was thinking of you with the sprinter van..who says you can’t Put a tub in one May be a next modification to the black beauty ??
https://www.businessinsider.com/campovans-custom-camper-rv-japanese-soaking-tub-mercedes-benz-sprinter-2020-5?utm_source=facebook.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=sf-insider-travel
You guys are always awesome! I’m appreciative of the times you been kind eoungh to give advice on a potential RV purchase.
Sincerely, Thom Brown
… watched in it’s entirety, even learned about an insta-cooker. 😛
Glad you had the “foresight” to plan out as you have. I think it’s great that you are stepping up to help the full time community!
Thanks for this laid back sharing of your Covid time Chill in Sanford. I might have to get an InstaPot even tho it’s not instant
Hubby and I have had enough nights when we weren’t ”safe, warm and dry” for us to appreciate being sequestered in place where we are. We also had a disaster plan that we partially implemented. We kept denying that it was true ☹ï¸
Thanks for helping me feel “normal” about my scattered thoughts & feelings.
We have been fortunate as well. Every mid January we take our boat from home in Marco Island, Florida to the Bahamas normally staying until mid April. This year, because of the pandemic we will not return until May 10. It is stressful here. For good reason, the Bahamian government has been very strict. They have been able contain the virus to Nassau, Bimini, and Freeport. None of the numerous Out Islands have any cases and we are of course are in those regions. The Out Islands have no healthcare or hospitals. Some with nothing and others with just a clinic. Infections in these places would be beyond tragic. Inner island travel has been shut down. Curfews are in place as well as lockdowns. Provisioning has been a challenge but we have managed. Our goal throughout was to stay anchored off uninhabited islands of which there are many. Because of that we have been able to snorkel, swim, hike, fish and dinghy about. We currently are in the Berry Islands. The cruising community has been excellent. Many of the same boats have similar itineraries. Knowing that, many of the same boats have been anchored in regions that are unaffected by the virus..This has allowed us to congregate but we still social distance. Very strange. Don’t know why but we just do it. Then again, I still fold my hands when I’m sitting. Product of a Catholic school upbringing. Ha. As bad as things are worldwide, I do believe our best days are ahead. We will all learn from this and be prepared for when it happens again. Good will come from this for sure. Blessed be to all.
It seems all is well with you and that is good! We had to leave Yuma Friday as a heat wave was in the forecast. We will reach the mountainous border of NV and UT near Great Basin NP Monday. Hoping for cooler weather and fishing. Trying to stay small and skirt populated areas. Stay safe and post often!
Love, love love, these impromptu chats. Enjoyed the cooking show and hearing about what everyday life is like for you both.
Love seeing Kiki. She looks as though she really enjoys seeing her bird videos.
I think many of us are going through some slight depressed feelings and lack of motivation from time to time. On the whole, we are blessed to have a place to shelter and ride this out. Usually on the go, I have found this downtime to have some pleasant time to reflect, read and watch TV.
Please do more of these chats!!!
Funny how a turn of the phrase says so much. Yes, we’re paused, not marooned. It’s like when I tell people I live in an RV. The response is ”oh, you poor thing” – I actually had someone say that. But if I tell someone that I travel full-time in an RV, the response is ”I want to do that!”
P.S. my cousin sent me a card today that said: Every day may not be good, but there is something good in every day. (Alice Morse Earle)
A positive post in troubled times. Over the years I’ve watched you guys handle all sorts of unexpected situations and come out on the other end having learned something, And sharing your insights with al of us. This is different, real different, but we will get through it; there will be an end. Hang in there be your optimistic selves, and post when you have the time and energy. We’ll be here. Love you both.
First up, we are SO glad you made your way back to Sanford to ride this out. Second, congrats on the piece in WSJ! Although it is annoying to see such ‘dramatic’ headlines when really, you’re just being mature grown ups doing the responsible thing… you are hardly ‘marooned’ but the alternative would not get as many clicks! Finally, we really appreciate your perspective (as well) being that you will create content when you ‘feel like it’ instead of having to feel pressured by a self imposed schedule. We are doing the same. it’s more authentic that way… and the emotional toll this situation is taking on EVERYONE cannot be ignored, so priority 1 is self care! Good for you guys. Glad you are back in your community and having fun and feeling loved.
Marooned, huh? Welcome to Gilligan’s Island, earth version!