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Saturday, September 9, 2017

Arizona?



I was talking to someone who normally spends winters in Key West Florida. He's already checked out camping places in Arizona. Like me, he wonders if the Keys will be open for tourists in a few months. If bridges, power, and the water supply are taken out, it could be some time before the area opens to tourists. Right now it's all speculation. However, he's smarter than me to have a backup winter plan in place.

I remember after the last batch of hurricanes came through Florida. There was damage, but it was limited to certain areas. Although the state was hit by a number of storms, none swallowed the whole state.

Even so, there were a lot of homeless people. Some were living in FEMA trailers. Many were living in tents located in unofficial camps. I remember one homeless camp behind a scrap yard that was huge.

Some of the official campgrounds had a lot of working people who had lost their homes. A few had jobs that they were going to every day. I remember school buses stopping at the campground to pick up kids. It was definitely a different vibe than the normal happy go lucky vacation campers.

I'm emotionally torn right now. If the state does open for business, they could really use tourist dollars. However, if resources are tight, I don't want to take away from the residents. It's not fun to party among shell shocked survivors.

So I'm In a wait and see mode right now. While Arizona is a popular place with snowbirds, it's too far from the ocean for my tastes. Maybe instead of buying last minute sailboat items I'll be buying extra insulation to get through another winter. Time will tell.

I've come to think of Florida as my second home and know a lot of good people down there. May they stay safe.

-Sixbears

8 comments:

  1. There are a lot of great lakes to dip that boat in, in Arizona. I can think of four right off the top of my head in the area around Phoenix. So you might want to rethink that. Going to the Sea of Cortez might be another option since you have a passport.

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    1. The Sea of Cortez is going up on my radar, but it's an awful long ways away.

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    2. So don't try to do the drive all in one day. We aren't as young as we once were. There are some nice places to camp and dip the boat between NH and the Sea of Cortez.

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    3. Good point Judy. Maybe a little research is in order.

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  2. Sounds like as difficult decision facing you, my friend. From seeing what Harvey did to our area, I'd have to say pass on Florida.

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    1. Houston is definitely off the list along with some places in Beaumont area we were considering.

      I might be too hopeful for FL's ability to bounce back. I know a lot of good folks down there that I worry about.

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  3. At this point in time , it doesn't look like we'll see much damage on the east coast. However your normal cruising areas are going to get hammered.
    Course it ain't over yet either...

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    1. Hey Spud! Glad to see you are hanging in there. You are one of those people I'm concerned about. However, it looks like it could be much worse for you. No one in the state is getting out of this without some effects.

      The Keys and the west coast appear to be in for it. After a few years sailing that area, I know it well.

      Maybe we can vacation on the Treasure Coast this year? Time will tell.

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