On March 16th we received word that Puerto Rico was locking down. I believe at that time there were 4 confirmed coronavirus cases on the island, though certainly there were many others. Curfew went into effect from 9 p.m to 6 a.m., restaurants closed to dine-in, and travel was supposed to be confined to gathering food, medicine, or going to essential work—though, essential seems to be way to broad a term, judging by the construction workers we can see rebuilding a crappy hotel day after day from our boat.
We were fortunate. We had purchased new boat batteries over the weekend, so we had moved into the marina for a couple of days in order to load them onboard. The marina closed to new arrivals the same day we arrived. We had also had a rental car and at the time had been planning to move on to islands further afield, so we had spent a few hundred dollars on groceries, stocking the boat in anticipation of that. A State of Emergency had gone into effect a couple of days earlier, which also hastened our decision to grab a few extras at the store, though at that time we had still figured we’d be taking off for the Spanish Virgin Islands by the next weekend, or whenever nice weather arrived.
Salinas was hammered by the hurricanes, with boats still piled up in the mangroves, so it wasn’t a huge surprise to pull up not one, not two, but three lengths of chain. It took some doing to get these off. Eventually I was able to get a line around the loop of our anchor and lift that side up as we dropped the anchor back down, allowing the chains to slide off.
Nice thing about living on a boat is you’ve always got enough food onboard to survive for months, in a worst case scenario. Combined with our watermaker and solar panels we can drop anchor and immediately be completely off grid any time we choose, for as long as we choose.
Using the dinghy lifting winch to get the batteries onto the boat.
Being in the marina wasn’t a huge benefit, necessarily, but Puerto Rico also locked down movement around the island’s bays. Police boats patrol daily. So we would have been stuck at anchor here in Salinas, which is fine I suppose, but just being at the dock plugged into shore power and not needing to run the watermaker in the silty water is certainly helpful to making this new life a bit more “normal” day-to-day.
We’ve been on lockdown for eleven days now. There is only one short dock here at this little marina, and we haven’t ventured beyond it. We’ve spent our days confined to our 42-foot floating home, which for us really hasn’t been all that difficult or strange. Just the week before we had spent five days on the boat just because we had no reason to go ashore. We were happy just hanging out on the boat together, passing the days playing games, reading, and swimming. Swimming is the one thing we’re missing mightily right now. Technically, we could probably swim off the boat right here, but the Salinas water isn’t appealing—muddy and murky as it is. Our kids haven’t complained once. Nobody is acting frustrated or bored. No fighting. It’s all just sort of normal, but without our usual exploration of a new town. In a place like this we’d have usually eaten at every restaurant, strolled the aisles of every store, checked out every mangrove passage, walked every beach, and found the best place for a swim.
There’s no timeline for when this might end. And no guarantee that when it does end here, that will mean anything as far as the islands further south. So we continue to hunker down alone. There are only a handful of other people on the dock, so social distancing isn’t even an issue. We’d have a hard time crossing paths with anyone else even if we weren’t trying to. We’re left alone to float. Our family is happy and healthy, and those back in the States are all well, too. We know full well how fortunate we are to not have the worries of so many others. Our life goes on with very little disruption. I work more than usual, trading, and helping people work through an absolutely historic time in the stock market. Ali cooks more than usual, without any opportunity for an off-the-boat meal. And the kids just go on being kids, because in their tiny sliver of a world there is no global pandemic.
Lowe built this hammock by himself. I’m pretty impressed. They even use it as a double swing. This has gotten constant use.
Afternoons are for music, a beer, a book, and a motorcycle up top. Quiet, quiet evenings.
I can’t tell you how much we love this top deck space on our boat. Without it I don’t know what we’d do. It always amazes me when I see trawlers down here in the islands with crazy full enclosures for this space. It makes sense in Alaska, but the islands?
Goofing around on the dock. This little space is basically the edge of our flat earth right now.
After dinner karate kicking practice. The kind of thing that I silently think, “This isn’t going to end well.”
There’s a small ledge on the front of the boat that the kids walk around on as if it was built as a platform with that specifically in mind. It’s about two inches wide. This is Lowe standing on it just as casual as can be.
He needed a quick refresher, but he’s once again got his bowline knots down.
For a week or so we got rain every afternoon. It would switch from blue to rain in a couple of minutes, but wouldn’t last long.
The police boat on daily patrol. There are six of them onboard. Not sure what kind of trouble they’re anticipating to cruise around with a crew like that.
Figured I should at least get something productive done on the boat while we are here. Prepping the back to get a couple fresh coats of varnish on.
Yoga on YouTube.
Sugar cookies with an M&M kicker.
The cheap batteries I bought in Jamaica wouldn’t even hold 12V overnight while at anchor. Not that I was expecting much out of them for $275/each. I was happy to unload them at the dock for a hundred bucks each. Only about four people a day walk down the dock, but dock rats can’t resist a deal.
Even haircuts and a movie can be a welcome distraction right now.
Anyway, that’s it from quiet Salinas, Puerto Rico. We’re healthy and happy, and hope all our friends around the world are as well. The stories circulating from other cruisers make us feel that we’re in a particularly good position, avoiding the fear and frustration of not knowing if we can stay in the country we are in or who might accept us if we can’t. Being a U.S. territory, nobody is going to tell us to leave, and we even discovered we can order off of Amazon. We had a load of watermaker filters delivered, to our happy surprise. We have zero idea what the next week, month, or months might have in store for us, but we’ve got nothing to complain about.
39 Comments on “Coronavirus Lockdown”
Your comment re Ali cooking more resonated with me. Here in Wisconsin, we are also in our homes except for grocery shopping or doctor visits. I feel like all i do now is more dishes! I know. Could be so much worse. Just sayin’, lol.
I do not like to cook – when Pat and I lived in Chicago we ate out every night (or ordered in). When we sailed around the world – we had soup and tuna sandwiches. When we lived in our VW bus for 2 years – we didn’t even bring cooking stuff with us. It is a known fact that cooking is not what I like to spend my time doing.
Thankfully the internet is so amazing now – you can basically type in what you have and a recipe will pop up. And of course I put in “easy recipe” when doing so.
But I do laugh at all the people in homes complaining about the cooking – as we have no deep freezer full of “dinner” items to pop in the oven. Or a list of restaurants to pick up/deliver from. We are full on breakfast, lunch and dinner cooking around here. Ugh. Please go away you stupid virus. (okay time to make lunch.)
I’m so glad to see you’re all healthy and safe , this time is a reflective time for many, it’s also a crafty time, I’ve been painting alot of things, I can still kyak everyday so no complaints here.
The kids are darling, living on a boat their imaginations can go wild.
Always look forward to your posts, so entertaining!!! Be safe, Love you guys ?
It is definitely a reflective time for many, if not, then a what should we change when this goes (somewhat) away time. It’s going to be a long road for many. I do complain but we also know how fortunate we are. It’s finding that middle ground and changing the few things we can, and working through the things we can not.
Keep enjoying your days, Theresa. And stay healthy!!
You’re in a good place, both physically, geographically and mentally. Looks like the USA is going to get hit very hard. We take every day as it comes… This too shall pass.
Always trying to rein in our complaining, and the only time we are actually lucky that it hit when we are here – really gets us. Couldn’t be in a better place to be under lockdown. And yes – the USA with each state making up the rules – is going to get hit hard. Plus the mentality that this isn’t such a big deal, and all the theories, and news, and… Stay home and healthy, Peter.
So glad you’re all safe and in a comfortable place. The kids look happy as usual and that’s wonderful given the state of the world at the moment. Best wishes and safe travels!
Where are you two? With all the campgrounds/state parks/etc. closed, are you still in the SW? We are fine, if not a bit bored and hungry. 🙂
Stay healthy friends!
Glad to hear you’re all doing well. And having fun, too! Looking forward to your posts of the USVI and BVI islands when the travel ban is lifted. So many great historical sights, hiking trails and beaches. Stay healthy, stay happy, stay curious. Bye!
Oh the USVI and BVIs…would love to get moving! Yes, although we would need to keep moving a bit should the travel ban lift to get out of the way before Hurricane season begins. It could be tough to get that far south in time. We are hopeful still and waiting like everyone else. Hang in there yourself, Nancie!
I think I’d let go of my whole savings right now to be on a boat in a marina on some British Virgin Isle, or any isle, right now, stocked up for months of course. It’s crazy here right now, especially for us seniors and immune challenged folks. Stay healthy and keep having fun. Great photos as always. Peace!
I’m sorry Chris, I do see it must be so much harder for many. What a crazy time, how quickly everything has changed. Amazing. You stay healthy and home. Make sure to keep us posted on how it is going.
Hi from Okeechober, Bums. We’re doing very well here in the middle of nowhere. Our county, here in the interior of FL, has had 0 cases of the virus so far, but don’t know how many have been tested. We’re in good shape as far as groceries, and those stores are still open, with everyone working hard to keep the shelves stocked. Thankful to be in warm weather, rather than in CT. At the beginning of May, we’ll evaluate the virus spread and decide whether to stay put in FL or travel north to CT.
We ride our bikes, wave to neighbors, visit with relatives on Zoom and Messenger, read, putter around, and check projects off our list. Mike still fishes in the Big I as often as he wants, although not catching as often as he’d like! No one we know has gotten ill, and can only hope that stays the same.
So glad to hear that you are safe, and I know you will work through this. Thanks do much for the update and the great pictures. Sending aocially-distanced hugs your way!! Lorraine
Great to hear you’re doing well, Lorraine. And it’s nice that Mike can keep the bait shop in business, too. 😉
Fun photos & so lovely to see you enjoying your time with the kids! Sad to say, my friend is a doctor & told me too many of her patients are complaining about ‘being stuck indoors with the kids’-so sad. I’ve always admired your kids’ ability to entertain themselves & your ability to play along with them! Good call by Wanderer on the market crash, wish our advisors had been as astute, but we’re OK too! Just slightly off ‘the top’-LOL! Stay safe & sane & hopefully you’ll soon be underway again.
We see that all over the internet, “My kids are driving me crazy.” “When can I send them back to school?” “What am I supposed to do with my kids all day?”
Says a lot about both the parents and the kids, I suppose.
As we head for the keys and shelter while we ride this out, it’s cool to know you are where we found out we were expecting our first child on our dream trip around the world in 1990.
Then we smashed into little culebrita at 2am a week later. Another story another time.
Let’s supplement the cruising kitty while we wait?
Wow, I thought we had a story from Culebrita…we will have to have a story time at some point.
And yes – saw you joined up with Pat again. Sounds good to us!
Ah, but did you time the bottom of the market to get back in? Or do you think we have yet to see the bottom? That’s the problem for those of us now at least partially in cash.
Well, our subscribers know. 😉 We’re in a significant position near the current lows with stops set at a nice profit now because we are highly doubtful that we’ve seen the final low so early into this bear market.
This! Good call, Pat. In the eight bear markets between 1926 and 2017, the shortest was six months, the longest 32 months, and the severity ranged from -21.8% to a soul-crushing -83.4%. Anyone who believes the recent lows last Monday found the bottom, or that the dead-cat bounce Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday signals a new bull market is underway would be well-advised to take a deep breath and wait for the market to do what it must do.
As mis-managed as the pandemic has been in the US, I think it’s foolish to think that a couple of weeks indoors will see us through the worst of the outbreak. If the spread of disease and death gets worse (it most likely will), the impact on the markets will also get worse. When the retail investors finally panic and sell everything, only then will the bottom be in sight.
Good luck to all market timers, but I’d rather just watch from the sidelines.
Thanks for the good news. So glad to hear you’re all well.
Thanks, Oliver. Hope you are as well!
Glad to hear all is okay. Best to stay where you are, at least you know sort of what the situation is. I was in Philippines a week ago and every thing was changing twice a day. Luckily got home to Oz two weeks early. I have friends stuck on a cruise ship on Pacific side of Panama, were supposed to get off in Chile. Who knows where they will end up? Stay safe!
Agreed. It happened so fast and nobody knew to get some where safe, available, accessible. We just got lucky.
Glad you got back home. Stay home and healthy!
Can’t help but chuckle . . . remembering your pride in pulling back into Miami from your round the world adventure with just a jar of peanut butter and some bread in your larder. Just look at you now. LOL!
Me too. I hate to cook, Rex. These are hard times…
Stay home and healthy!
Be well bums!
Sherlene and I.. and Taco, are riding this out at home. Apparently, Hobby Lobby is not an essential business. Who knew?
This will give me time, finally, to participate in the Wanderer trades on a daily basis.
See you there! 😉
See, there’s always a silver lining. 🙂 See ya!
So good to hear that things fell into place for you and your family. Lady luck smiled on you!
You are in a good position to stay put for the time being ?
The first time we believe in Lady Luck – as it was really happenstance that we are in a U.S. territory without worry of being kicked out, pulled into a marina to change out batteries, and have a pretty good time together anyways. Hope you are in a good place as well, Esther.
My dad never let me have a whole beer at that age.
haha, not to worry, they are only 10 oz. cans here in Puerto Rico.
We are keeping the lights on in Virginia! Enjoy the time. We are cancelling most sailing events in mid atlantic thru the end of april and beginning to look at the may events too.
That stinks, and yes I’m sure May has now been cancelled. Crazy times. Stay home and healthy, Bruce!
I love you guys’ ability to make the best of any situation. Global pandemic? It’s just business as usual aboard Bumfuzzle. I spy some Snap Circuits! My boys LOVE those. I scored the original, complete set, in mint condition for .99 cents at Goodwill a couple of years back. Then, for xmas last year, we expanded with two new sets, the “Lights” and the “Arcade” sets have been a blast for all of us to explore and tinker with! What’s the deal with the clip on Ouest’s nariz?! Ella no le gusta como huele el carne?! Is that what it is, beef? Ha! I hated the smell of ground beef cooking as a kid. It’s fitting that I’ve been a vegetarian for over 15 years! Stay safe and stay grateful, guys! Y buena suerte! Our lockdown in Florida starts tomorrow!
You are really a good spy, Maritza! I had to go see where they were in the photos. Wow that is a good score at the Goodwill. I might have to look up the expansion sets. They work together so nicely when doing them – and so proud when it works at the end. We first used them at the Edison Estate in Fort Myers – great kids room for them to explore.
Yes, Ouest is basically a vegetarian already, me as well. When we would go through the markets in Puerto Vallarta and Mazatlan, and… she wouldn’t go in the meat area. Hated the smell and dead animals on the counters.
I enjoy your posts on your beautiful family — all those boys! You are rocking it, amiga!
Hey guys, curious… of all your family adventures, which road-based setup was your favorite with kids? We have been weighing the options for a getaway with ours… I suppose I’m really just asking about the travco vs airstream experience…
Tough question. Hi Ryan! We wished we had found a 21 ft Travco (or similar) over the 27 footer – as it would be a lot easier to go everywhere (which for us, was when we wanted to go to South America in it – but it felt too big, so we downsized to the Travelall and then Airstream). There are some brilliant small vans, RVs, set ups – and in our view small is easier, more affordable, more worldwide-able.
Your question comes down to where you want to go? Will you stay long at one destination that it would be nice to leave the camper behind to go get groceries or explore with a truck? Will you just keep moving – and see a ton so to have a motorhome as both your vehicle and home makes more sense?
Anyway email us if you are still thinking about it – first things first – where you going? stay long or keep moving?