Diversions II

May 22, 2020





 



Diversions II

Sometimes in the midst of a dreadful global pandemic in which 1,577,287 people in the United States have been confirmed to have tested positive for the virus Covid-19 and 94,702 people have tragically died due the virus, you just need a place to go that is away from everyone. Preferably a beautiful natural setting where the myriad of problems in the world, including 100 confirmed cases in the Florida Keys including 39 in Key West and 3 deaths here, can be temporarily forgotten and your mind, spirit and body can be free to enjoy what is still calm and beautiful in our world.









Thankfully, the Florida Keys offers a number of incredible beautiful natural areas that are, at least temporarily devoid of the mass crowds that are generally drawn to them when things are not under the shadow of a pandemic. Kathy and I have been trying to enhance our isolation by taking the opportunity when we can to get away from the constant worry and fear that surrounds everyone and just enjoy some moments in someplace that is just a beautiful diversion.









One of the places here locally that has recently reopened is the Key West Tropical Forest and Botanical Garden on Stock Island. They opened on May 7^th after an extended closure and are allowing the public to come in and enjoy the place without the usual charge, with a few restrictions in place. They have thoughtfully redesigned the trails and footpaths through the garden in a nice one way hike to enhance social distancing and keep visitors far enough apart that they can enjoy the beauty without much chance of direct interaction.



 



When I visited this week, that was not even a concern as I was there for about ninety minutes and did not see a single other human during the time I was there, it was glorious. I started at the edge of the pond just outside the entrance and visitor center which remains closed. The pond is full of turtles, only two were in evidence when I initially walked up to the pond’s edge. Obviously they associate people with food or else they are just exceedingly lonely because with-in moments hundreds of turtles were converging on me from every corner of the pond. I was sorry to disappoint them as I had nothing to offer, but it was such a cool sensation to have them all rushing to greet me.



 







Next I entered the gate and followed the beautiful trails and paths that lead through the property which is maintained and overseen by the Key West Botanical Garden Society. I have been coming to this property since I first arrived in Key West thirty years ago and it was once a totally wild, indigenous tract of land with little to offer except a wild experience only moments from downtown Key West. 



 



Initially I was against the managed changes that were done about 25 years ago when the place became actively managed and the trails, visitor center and more manicured approach happened, though I must admit that my feelings have changed as they have done an amazing job and the place is beautiful, accessible and still retains a wild feel even though it is now much more visitor friendly.

The Key West Botanical Garden Society is governed by an all volunteer board of directors and has been the “keeper of the trees” since 1989. The society preserves, develops, expands and maintains the historic Key West Botanical Garden as an arboretum, botanical garden, wildlife refuge and education center. The land is owned by the City of Key West

The garden showcases flora native to The Florida Keys, Cuba, and the Caribbean and emphasizes cultivation of threatened and endangered species of the Florida Keys. This society encourages study of this collection and promotes the benefits of native vegetation worldwide. The society provides educational programs for all age groups and various levels of interest geared to Keys residents, tourists, plant experts and others when they are not closed due to a global pandemic.

In the meantime, it is a beautiful refuge and a place to escape the harsh realities that our everyday life have brought in the past couple of months. I feel fortunate that we have such a place to enjoy.

https://www.keywest.garden/

Diversions

May 20, 2020

 







Diversions

There is a sense that the coronavirus pandemic is nearing the end, when there is actually no scientific basis for such a conclusion, I think it is a combination of different factors that are giving people this impression. The main reason seems to be a collective case of quarantine fatigue. It has been a long and difficult two months with social distancing and sheltering in place and I think a lot of people are just anxious to get out and back to some sense of normalcy.





 





The other factor is sadly the constant political pressure being applied both at the Federal level from the President who has just about given up on following any scientific based plan and moved to focusing on reopening everything as soon as possible. Locally we have sort of followed suit as the county just announced that the roadblock checkpoints entering the Keys will be coming down on June 1^st and the county will be opened once again to visitors. Hotels and bars will be reopening as will museums and other attractions. 

 





The tension is still strong between those who think it too soon and those who feel opening June 1^st is not soon enough. I just fear that people always tend to be more reckless and prone to not follow the guidelines. I see this in action every day when I walk Jack along the beach and see the crowds of people, most who are not wearing masks, not social distancing and pretty much acting reckless.

 







The problem is that the virus is still going full force especially in the United States.  Current numbers show that 1,521,663 confirmed cases in the United States with 90,799 deaths from the virus. Locally the numbers are currently 99 cases in Monroe County, 39 in Key West and holding at 3 deaths. The numbers could be on the low side as a number of states including Florida and Georgia have been shown to be under reporting cases to support the case to reopen sooner.







Whatever the true figures may be, it is clear that they are staggering and still rising and that the safety cocoon that Key West has benefitted from by the prohibition of visitors is about to be breached in a serious way. Kathy and I will continue to maintain our vigilance and cautious approach by avoiding anyplace with any sort of crowd, not going out to eat or to bars etc. and pretty much maintain the protocal that we have been following since this thing started.

 







It doesn’t mean that we stay isolated inside all the time. In fact the weather was so good this week that we went snorkeling at the pier at Higg’s Beach two consecutive days this week. The visibility was pretty decent but even poor viz provides a nice respite from the daily grind of socially isolating. There were tons of fish and this visit we saw some lobsters and more Lion Fish as well. It is a really nice place to snorkel as there is plenty to see and it is an easy and comfortable swim along the old rip wrap that was once the former pier and extends off the current pier in an L shaped pattern.







 







We have continued our other covid traditions as well as our weekly Friday night specialty drink happy hour has been happening throughout the pandemic. We have had the pleasure of lunging in our little pool and watching the astounding number of tiny birds which have mad their annual migratory visit to the Keys. The American Redstarts have been everywhere this week, but they will be gone almost as quickly as they arrived so it has been cool to spend so much time outside. Our bird feeder even attracted its first white-crowned pigeon this week and some cool blackbirds in addition to the constant crowd of pigeons, doves and chickens that are regular visitors.



 



Jack



We also saw our first days of any rain in two months this week and it was a welcome event as the place was so dry and we needed it. Hopefully it is that start of a more regular rainy season that will bring us more frequent rain, but no hurricanes this season. 



Emma Stroud and Judy Blume webcast 

Sloane