Social Distancing

In this time of the coronavirus pandemic we are all advised to practice social distancing. It is very easy to practice social distancing on a boat. In fact, during more normal times I find living on a boat a little too isolating and make efforts to connect with other people. Right now, I am very grateful to be living on Breeze On and feel quite safe from the virus. When we arrived at Homer Smith Docks in Beaufort, NC we had already decided to avoid using their restroom/shower, laundry facilities, and courtesy car. We also decided to avoid walking downtown and and prepare all of our meals on the boat. We would purchase food only if we got really desperate. We would go out for short walks everyday on residential streets. Last night, however, George read that the town of Beaufort has issued an order that transient boaters (that would be us) are not to leave the marina property. So today I limited my walking to the docks at the marina. 

Although we feel safe living on Breeze On we will eventually need food and laundry facilities. Also, the governor of Maryland has issued an order prohibiting recreational boating. For those reasons we have decided that we will sail from Beaufort to home at our first opportunity. We are choosing to believe that this travel falls under the “essential” category - we will need food, fuel & laundry at some point. Right now it looks as if that opportunity will be next Monday. It will take a little over two days to get to Cambridge. We had thought of taking our time and stopping at some of the many anchorages along the Chesapeake. I would feel very awkward, though, anchoring in someone’s “backyard” when recreational boating has been prohibited. 

Very nice docks for walking.