Kayaking the CT During COVID-19 This blog is intended to share my CT kayaking adventures in chronological order. Considering our current world health situation, I am going to make an exception to my own rule. What makes kayaking the CT fun is the different challenges it presents; Open water vs. intracoastal, tides, currents, weather/frontal systems...planning, water, food, primitive camping or a modest motel with a hot shower & bed. If that isn't enough, lets add a new ingredient to the existing recipe: COVID-19. On April 1, 2020, Governor Desantis issued an executive 'Stay at Home' order. It was no April Fools joke. Life as we knew it in the state of Florida changed dramatically. By now, we are all familiar with the meaning of 'Stay at Home." Fortunately, the order outlined 'essential activities' which included "Participating in recreational activities (consistent with social distancing guidelines) such as walking, biking, hiking, fishing, running or swimming..." "Taking care of pets"...and "Caring for or otherwise assisting a loved one or friend." In my mind, kayaking clearly fell within the definition of essential activities! It's very easy to maintain the social (I prefer the word physical) distancing requirements when you kayak, especially in the remote locations that I am currently paddling. But this doesn't give you a complete carte blanche because there have been several important things I now need to consider. #1: The health & safety of people in the area I'm paddling. Right now, there is a big difference between kayaking near Miami vs. Aucilla. I wouldn't consider kayaking in the Miami are right now due to their COVID-19 infection rate. Aucilla is a very remote area of Florida, and while it poses a lot less risk to me than Miami, I need to consider the risk I may pose to people in that area. I have no symptoms, but that doesn't mean anything now days, right? So if and when I decide to paddle these remote areas, I must be very mindful, wear my buff/mask and always wash my hands. #2: Launch and takeout locations are extremely limited. So the executive order allows people to go fishing, but then they turn around and close boat ramps! Boat ramps could be used as a good example of social distancing. It's one in/out at a time and definitely includes the 6 foot rule. I suspect the person who came up with this idea has never backed a trailer down a boat ramp, let alone boat/fish. Closing boat ramps actually has a worse effect...it pushes the mass to the ones that are open! So in addition to my regular planning, I now have to research the availability of launch and takeout locations. I've actually had to change (extend or shorten) my paddle routes, plan backup locations, and if needed, stealth it. And if I absolutely have to, plead ignorance (which I haven't had to play that card yet). #3: Camping and access to lodging is also extremely limited. The CT is a paddling trail along the fabulous coast of Florida. The CT trail guide offers many options/suggestions for camping at State and county parks, primitive camping sites, as well as local lodging facilities. Many of of these also give CT paddlers to access food and water. Since the Stay at Home order, many of these locations have closed, regardless of how remote they are. It's just another layer to the pre-trip planning...are we building a trifle salad? Thank goodness gas is cheap, because its also adding more driving/miles, especially when shuttling. AND thank goodness for Florida Paddling Trails Association (FTPA) CT Trail Angel Steve Cournoyer, who knows back roads (like Dixie Mainline)! FYI: Part of the CT experience is driving the back roads of Florida...the roads that have been there forever, before SR19/98, heck, I-75! These backroads are what the locals use... Speaking of shuttling...guess who got a new truck! Our current Ford Ranger is 20 years old. We have taken meticulous care of it, but the hubby was getting nervous the further I drove away from home to kayak. At least that was his justification for getting the 2020 Ford Ranger. It's a nice ride! NOTE: A Yakima truck bed rack is on order. So this blog has no funny stories. Yes, there were expletives coming from my home office as I tried to plan, book reservations, or find an open boat ramp. There was one particular day, I felt like the world was working against me and did not want me to paddle! This is a new paradigm we are living in. Call it the "Great pause" or the "Great Reset" and while I believe many positives will come out of this COVID-19 pandemic, it will never erase the losses our country has, is, and will continue to experience.
Yes, COVID-19 has created extra planning and 'inconveniences' on my part, but that will, in no way, even come close/compare to what all the dedicated health care professionals, front line responders, closed businesses, unemployed neighbors, supply chain workers, grocery store clerks have had to go through or sacrifice to keep us healthy, fed, and stocked with TP. . To all of them, and you, I say "Namaste." Special thanks to my good friend and kayak bud Brenda Anderson for the idea of using the Six Degrees of Separation blog as a transition/focus to the Six Feet of Separation we are currently in. In the next blog post will resume the timeline and you'll experience my first CT legs! Be safe kids and wash your hands!!
1 Comment
June
4/27/2020 12:27:50 pm
Liked your explanation of how you’re maintaining 6 feet of social distancing. Hopefully things will ease up soon!
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AuthorDorsey DeMaster embraced kayaking after retiring from 38 years in aviation. She lives near Crystal River, Florida. Archives
August 2021
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