News / Articles

Covid Support
by Diane Cummings

When COVID-19 started to be taken seriously in the US early March, we had just arrived on Florida’s west coast for a month of cruising.  We were in Bradenton visiting very close friends, Sharon and Nick, who we met in the Bahamas in 2006, practicing social distancing and getting very concerned about the pandemic. 

We had plans to rendezvous with Scott and Mary (m/v Mascot) and Ken and Brenda (m/v Lady Caradoc).  Needless to say, our plans kept changing daily/hourly when we started to hear about stay-in-place orders, shutdowns, marina closings, flattening the curve, etc.  Our three boats get stored on the East Coast, and we began to get concerned about possible lock closings and unavailability of diesel fuel.

What really helped us get through this nightmare was the support we gave each other during our trip back to the east coast and the drive home from FL. 

We did rendezvous at Burnt Store Marina for three days, where we had social distancing happy hours and talked about the state of affairs.  Once we left the Marina, we separated, but were constantly in touch with each other; providing very helpful cruising information.  Sharon and Nick would check in with us regularly; providing pandemic updates that they were getting on TV.

All three boats arrived back in their East Coast boatyard around mid-March, had our boats hauled as soon as possible and started the dreaded drive home.  Ken/Brenda (Canada) and Scott/Mary (MA) started the drive ahead of us and kept us updated on road conditions and the status of rest areas as they moved North.  Once we started our drive to CT, four days later, they kept checking in.

None of us wanted to stop at a hotel. Mary/Scott drove nonstop to their home; Ken/ Brenda and us took a brief nap in our car.  All made it home safe and sound within two days.

We are so thankful for our friendships which were formed in the Bahamas over the past 13 years and look forward to them continuing for the rest of our life.  

Stay safe everyone!
John and Diane (m/v Duetto)

How we handled Covid 19
by Shannon Gunn Latchem

During the recent “lock down” in Tulsa, I was prodded by a fellow artist and teacher to share my art. So every day for 21 days I hauled my easel to the street and wrote a small explanation describing the significance of the art to me. I paint for joy. I paint what inspires me and to help me remember the great places and people I have been so blessed to know. The neighborhood really rallied. People still stop me daily while I am walking and ask me what new paintings will be out. One father in particular comes by with his small son on a bike and very loudly comments that he wishes the nice lady would keep putting more paintings out, they missed them! I have gotten to know my neighbors much better. Whether they liked the art or not, they all appreciated the anticipated distraction and the effort.

I desperately miss my Tuesday painting group but have started painting alone. I realize through isolation I have grown more confident.

HAPPY HOUR ON THE DOCK
by Ray Vallerie

Ray and Susie Vallerie were well positioned at the Harborage in Stuart. Because their boat was near the center of the docks, they frequently became the 5 o'clock cocktail boat for the group who gathered for conversation and beverages. They were able to continue socially distanced happy hours when things changed.

Ray writes. “attached is a picture of some of us during cocktail hour at the Harborage. This one was taken before social distancing, but we continued this all winter. We just stayed a little further apart. Everyone felt pretty safe as no one had been anywhere but on the docks. It was not the same as Boat Harbour, but we had fun anyway. If we do not go back to Boat Harbour in the fall, Susan and I would be happy to return to Harborage. The shopping in Stuart was fantastic. Everything, including dockage, was much less expensive, and the weather was fine.”

Ray