Snowbirding in Florida
February 2022
The COVID-19 pandemic has created
uncertainty, disarray, even chaos in travel plans the last 2 years. We’ve
managed an occasional trip, but mostly stayed pretty local within NY & New
England. The end of 2021 many flights had to be cancelled due to COVID-related
staff shortages. But a chance to spend some winter time with Marjorie’s cousin
Jim & wife Susan in their Naples FL condo, and to be joined by Marjorie’s
sister Mary & hubbie Jeff, is too enticing. And then another invite to
visit friends Deb (one of Marjorie’s fellow artists) & hubbie Chris in Palmetto,
north of Sarasota, sweetens the pot. The latest COVID surge from variant
Omicron appears to be waning, opening things up more. Though I know a number of
golfers down there, this will not be a golfing trip, just time to relax after a
long 2 years of life in a pandemic. But there are risks: Reports a week before
we leave of iguanas climbing trees in a cold snap, becoming dormant, then
falling to the ground (“reptile dysfunction” says a radio DJ); so watch out for
falling iguanas! And a “deep freeze” threatens the orange crop, a reminder of
“polar vortexes” we encountered in a 2014 Florida trip. But a Facebook post by Florida friend Rob augers for warmer temps on the
way.
We’ve
been to Florida a number of times, including the aforementioned Golf Coast from
Sarasota to Fort Myers. Matt, Anthea, and grandsons William & Miles stayed
in Jim & Susan’s condo after Christmas, managing to get there despite 1000s
of flight cancellations worldwide due to COVID-related staffing shortages. Jim
& Susan were sorry not to be there, but Anthea nonetheless exclaimed “I
think I’m in heaven!” We’ll take that as a favorable review. Matt passes along
some suggestions, including good spots to stop along the Tamaimi Trail (which
runs from Tampa to Miami) thru the Everglades.
