Home Free Global Nomads: Staying Safe in Florida March 2020

It has been a crazy month, we had a great time in Orlando with our Florida Roomies, Josh and JP then left them for Vitambi Springs Campground to meet up with Jack before he heads north to NH.  In the interim, the coronavirus outbreak has hit the United States. We have decided to stay at the campground until things settle down with the rise of infections and cases.

We are isolated from the outside world on 269 natural acres full of flora and fauna, deer, raccoons, armadillo, alligator, Florida otters, Florida Panther, Bobcat, along with snakes, lizards, geckos, and amazing varieties of birds.  If has been peaceful here to walk in natural settings in the early mornings and afternoons.

Up, Up and Away Hot Air Balloon Festival

Wayne, Keith, JP and Josh

The skies cleared and the wind died down in time for the launch. The sky filled with balloons floating over us. Live music performances made the day.

After the Up, Up and Away event we went to Celebration, FL for dinner.  Disney atmosphere and feeling, definitely a Disney creation.

Celebration, FL

We returned to Celebration the next day to look at bicycles at Evolve. We really like the atmosphere created here. Like something from Ozzie & Harriett.

We went to Boxi Park for dinner, different styles of food, live entertainment and bars within the complex using  shipping containers.  Great concept and use for shipping containers.

Cuban style salsa band, great sound, makes you want to dance.

Boxi Park, Lake Nona, Orlando, FL

Dinner out with the Florida Roomies, plus we met Scott and James at Boxi Park

Boxi Park

The following night Keith and I joined Jim and Scott to see the SpaceX Rocket launch from Titusville, FL.  We were across the intercostal with a clear view of the launch that went off at 23:50. We could see the rockets land back on land after the separation. What an incredible experience.

Complete darkness to the rocket launching.

SpaceX Falcon 9 CRS 20 Rocket Launch - March 6, 2020 - Space Coast Launches. Mission: CRS 20: A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, the 22nd Dragon spacecraft mission on its 20th operational cargo delivery flight to the International Space Station.

Feels like time stands still when you watch this amazing event, then following this photo there is separation of the rockets.

The rockets land back on Earth

Our last weekend with Josh and JP, we find ourselves back to see if we can do the Winter Park Scenic Boat ride Lake Osceola, Lake Virginia and Lake Maitland. We are taken into tree covered canals to reach each lake.

Fern Canal from Lake Osceola to Lake Virginia

One of the many spectacular homes on Lake Osceola and the boathouse

Venetian Canal leads to Lake Maitland

Venetian Canal

We have an appointment to install the Borg metal valve stems and our Tire Pressure Monitoring Bands in Lake Wales, FL on Monday then we will meet up with Jack, our friend from Nashua at Vitambi Springs Campground in Clewiston, FL.

Reunited with Jack at Vitambi Springs

Sunsetting behind Jacks' 5th wheel on the lake

Beautiful clear evening as the moon rises

21:00 looks like sunrise

One of the fawns in the campground

Jack extends his stay here with us, we really enjoyed being with him here, playing Mexican Train and just chatting.  At the end of his visit, we cancelled all plans for the end of Spring with Mark and Neil resulting from COVID-19 pandemic.  Keith and I will remain here, while Jack has decided to head back to Nashua.

Our home at night in a wonderful site off the lake

Jack dressed in his kilt for St. Patrick's Day, Robur Fest (Celtic Celebration)

Juvenile Red-Bellied Woodpecker

Fog welcomes most mornings here

Art's bench along the lake

On a hot day there is nothing like floating in the pool

We spend most days working by the pool, cleaning chairs and watering the grass and gardens, raking leafs or just hanging out with a few other guests.  We walk everyday, early in the morning to beat the heat of the day. The fog in the morning is cool and spiritual to the senses as the sun comes up and the bird song fills the air.  Lucky to have found this natural paradise in Central Florida. We have foraged for oranges, enjoying every day that we have in this peaceful place.

Friendly lizard takes a break on a cleaned chair by the pool

Sunset over the Lake

Alligator at the entrance

We continue to increase our daily steps to get into better shape, taking photos while walking and enjoying the natural beauty bestowed to us.  Here are some photos from our wanderings over the weeks at Vitambi Springs.

One of the Doe takes a break along the lake

Turtle Pond in the far back of the campground

One of the many trails on the property with old Split Oak forest with Spanish Moss, ferns, and bromeliad 

Early morning walks with fog rising off the ground adds moisture to the air

Brown Anole, also known commonly as the Bahaman anole or De la Sagra's anole, is a species of lizard in the family Dactyloidae. The species is native to Cuba and the Bahamas.  He stopped over for a friendly visit while I was working on the blog.

Florida River Otters crossing the main road of the campground, come out of the aqueduct dripping wet to cross the road

Route 835 is completely empty, before the stay-at-home order

Black Vulture (Coragyps atratus) sits on the pole

Dragon fly taking a break on the bromeliad

Blue Heron by the lake

Foraging for oranges and heading back

Our view after we moved for a couple of days.  We are still at Vitambi but on another site

Red-bellied Woodpecker up on the telephone pole making a racket

Squirrel trying to blend in 

Cardinal in the bamboo

Red shoulder Hawk

We will be staying at Vitambi Springs Resort through the pandemic, we are practicing social distancing and cleaning/sanitizing where ever we go.  Here is an aerial photo of where we are:

From the resort webpage, view of where we are in Central Florida