What a month! I am sure you will all agree. I have been in Bradenton, Florida all of March.
When I left Feb. 27, traveling with my best friend, the virus was a nagging worry in the back of our minds. We stocked up with hand sanitizer and Clorox wipes. (A lucky thing, because I didn’t see them in the stores the whole time we were in Florida.)
After a stop in Charlottesville for an overnight with a cousin, we stopped in Jacksonville for two nights to have a travel break before checking into our rental in Bradenton. Everything was happening in Jacksonville at the time. Nightlife, big beach party for leap day, all the restaurants were packed. It was hopping. It was a fun two nights.
On the day we left, things started to change there dramatically. The area started to shut down.
When we arrived in Bradenton, very near the lively tourist destination, Anna Maria Island, everything was business as usual. The first two weeks were all fun, checking out the restaurants, beaches and fish stores. A friend joined us on Friday the 13th. We enjoyed a few days almost worry-free.
Then the bars and restaurants closed. Then the public beaches closed. Then the boat ramps closed. And then all the nonessential stores. Things got eerily quiet.
The shortages were pretty substantial. Going to the grocery store was so stressful. We would venture out, feeling like we were taking our lives in our hands, then not finding what we needed or wanted. Like most places, toilet paper or any sanitizing products were nonexistent. We felt so lucky to find a bottle of bleach. A cause for celebration, to be sure.
In a big grocery store, there was no chicken. No chicken! No half and half for coffee. No seltzer. No plain yogurt. And on and on. We did manage to find enough stuff to survive on. Luckily, to make the tense situation tolerable there was plenty of wine and other libations available. Phew.
Thankfully, the fish stores were open and we cooked and dined on fresh Key West shrimp — they have kind of a lobster-like flavor — fresh gulf swordfish and of all things, grouper cheeks.
I’m not sold on grouper cheeks. They have a texture like chicken. A bit chewy. Might have been better deep fried. I sautéed them in olive oil and garlic, with a splash of wine, and served them with pasta. It was good, but I think I would have preferred shrimp done that way instead. There was also takeout at many restaurants. Needless to say, we didn’t starve.
Not the trip we expected but we managed to have a good time despite the developing situation. The weather was great and we enjoyed the wildlife and found our way to a private part of the beach you could still access.
We are now back at home under a 14-day quarantine at the urging of the governor.
Guess what we had the first night home? Chicken. Luckily my housemate’s son stocked our fridge. Thanks, Luke!
Stay well everyone.
— LUCY
Only 14 days? I’d make it 21 days. Just saying.
Glad you’re back from the crazy state of Florida.
And I remember chicken.
— LOU