A lot has been said – and written – about this recent pandemic and its affects. I shared a few posts about it myself, here (how it influenced our lifestyle in mid-March), here (what we still managed to squeeze in, sightseeing-wise), here (in relation to our expenses), and here is where I left off on April 1st.
(Click on photos to enlarge or hover over them for captions.)
Self-isolation Take One
After a few hits and misses at several parks and boondocking spots and a failed week-long hotel splurge in Hilton Head, we checked out our “last resort” in decent weather: the free campground at Santee Coastal Reserve in South Carolina. The entrance road was serene and welcoming, but we didn’t settle – mentally or physically – until we arrived without any “No camping due to COVID-19” signs blocking our progress.
The campground was quiet and peaceful. No amenities, which means no restrooms, water, electricity, sewer, or trash. Pack it in, pack it out. That might have been the reason why this place was still open – the workers weren’t at risk cleaning facilities. We found a roomy, relatively private campsite with sun for the solar panels and shade for the camper, a picnic table, and a fire ring.
There were miles and miles of trails, six different routes (we hiked them all, several times), and many more dirt roads and paths scattered throughout the nature reserve. The only times we saw a photographer, birder, or other hiker was during the weekends. We didn’t interact with a soul during our stay.
After one week, we found fresh water at a spigot in a public park an hour’s drive away. We managed to wash some of our clothes there. We also did a grocery run that day, before returning to our little haven and resumed the extremely careful use of our fresh, grey, and black water tanks.
Then, that haven turned too hot and humid. The hordes of gnats, flies, and mosquitoes quadrupled. We couldn’t sleep at night or find a comfortable spot to sit anymore. It was time to move on. We had managed to stay at Santee for two weeks, well over the allowed maximum. We kept a low profile, didn’t run our generator, didn’t leave trash or sewage (can you believe people do??), and received an unofficial nod from a ranger, who did tell us the campground would probably close soon.
The Trip North
Because of the current circumstances, vanlife was not feasible anymore, unless we drove west, where plenty of public lands (BLM, National Forests, …) allow free dispersed camping. Mark, Maya, and I would LOVE to return to Utah and Arizona, but decided to postpone this in lieu of comfort and stability at our “home base” in Newburyport, Massachusetts. We drove a solid three days to reach my in-laws.
Not easy to explain why, but we picked the worst day – a full-blown storm, buckets of rain, and wind gusts pushing us, ideally the right direction – to travel the furthest. Mark preferred to take secondary roads that morning. Highways were less safe (with trucks and traffic weaving in and out) and more boring. Our route sure was eventful; the scene straight from an apocalypse movie: the threatening virus, the need to keep escaping, police presence, obstacles along the way, fallen trees, broken power lines, road blocks, detours, chaos!
Self-isolation Take Two
We made it to Newburyport safe and sound and have now joined the ranks of most of you: stuck in comfort, cooped up in a house, or better, one detached room with its own entrance. This is the room we usually stay at when visiting Mark’s parents; a room in which we created different sections, as the main house is off limits during COVID-19.
We have all the amenities!
A bathroom… doubling as clean-up station…
A makeshift kitchen…
A sofa bed and clothes cabinet…
A garden…
Cupboards for food items (out of Maya’s reach)…
Even a shoe rack…
Yes, these are all the shoes we both own.
A borrowed fridge and dresser “work station”…
Two desks…
And, a dining area with our camping table…
The dining table and chairs in their “stored” position
Don’t you love it?
We wear a mask when we shop (mandatory in Newburyport), queue outside six-feet apart to enter (one shopper out, another one in), and follow one-way aisles inside. We don a wool hat and winter coat when we walk Maya (it’s darn cold here!), encounter many people exercising as we do the same (we are now in a city instead of nature), and think “It sure was safer in the woods…”
Our roaming lifestyle has come to a halt, but if that is the only sacrifice we have to make during these challenging times, there is no reason to complain!
OK, but what if you don’t have a sticks and bricks home?
Stay safe and healthy, you all, and let’s hope for a vaccine (and more tests) shortly, so we can get back to normal-ish as soon as possible. Positive thoughts! At least pollution is down, which makes this a Happy Earth Day. 🙂
April 22, 2020 at 16:35
Hi, Liesbet – I’m glad that you, Mark and Maya are safe and sound.
As for your ‘roaming’ lifestyle being on hault, I don’t think even this pandemic can pause that for you.
How I see it, ‘roaming’ is a positive, free-spirit attitude, and that…you will always have.
Stay safe!
April 22, 2020 at 21:33
I just love how you can turn every experience and life change into a positive, Donna! You make me smile. Yes, we are and always will be roamers and all this episode is doing is making us antsy to start the new adventure. But, we could both use a charge of our batteries, so that will be a priority. Together with some work accomplishments. 🙂
April 22, 2020 at 16:49
Wow Liesbet! What a journey you, Mark and Maya have been on. I’m happy that all of you made it home safely.
The first place you stayed was gorgeous. But the drive home, well that really is a story to tell isn’t it? All of you must be truly enjoying and appreciating home in a different way than most people can imagine. The three of you are true troopers.
I do believe, unfortunately that people leave garbage behind. One place I lived was in the country and so beautiful. I used to walk in the early mornings with my neighbors two dogs. I couldn’t believe the garbage people tossed, not like what people left behind where you camped. But there were beer bottles, soda cans, fast food trash. So I started taking a plastic bag with me in the mornings and picked up what I could it in the bag every day.
So glad all of you are home. Stay safe, be well.
April 22, 2020 at 21:39
Hi Lea! Thanks for the well wishes. For some reason everything we do turns into an adventure, haha. Except, probably, the next few months in our new adobe. 🙂
I hear you about the garbage. It’s insane. We have seen so much of it, especially along highways and roads, where groups haven’t cleaned it up yet. Down south, we especially realized how bad it was, but then we realized that the amounts of garbage mostly have to do with organizations or highway sponsors not picking it up.
It appears to me – and I really have a hard time understanding it in this day and age, where everyone should be educated about trash – that littering is still very much a thing of the present. And I so hate to write this on Earth Day! Don’t even get me started on recycling options down south.
Yes, we are enjoying the simple comforts of a house – unlimited water, electricity, and internet. And, a hot, pressurized shower every day. Joy! 🙂
April 22, 2020 at 17:14
Hey, Liesbet – What contrasts I see in Take #! and #2. All you really need in the first is “sun for the solar panels and shade for the camper, a picnic table, and a fire ring” + room to room.
I like how you describe living in the lap of luxury: “stuck in comfort, cooped up in a house, or better, one detached room with its own entrance. A room with different sections…!”
The highway posting was well-meaning, but misguided, in my opinion. Yes, what about those who don’t have a HOME: the homeless, many of whom are mentally ill and need help, not a “boot out.” That’s why I donate to the City Rescue Mission, and lately, Catholic Charities, for those without a paycheck now, needing help just to put food on the table.
About the “trash” comment. Before moving to Spindletree, the neighborhood we lived in was a mess: I carried a plastic bag for trash. It was always bulging after I made the weekly rounds.
All the best to my favorite campers, Liesbet, Mark, and Maya!
April 22, 2020 at 21:46
Hello Marian!
I’m so glad you mention the contrasts in my Take 1 and Take 2. I initially played with the idea of writing a comparison post between our two locations for “self-isolation”. Something in the sense of “spot the seven differences”. Haha. Well done, you! And we (I) do enjoy the luxury of our present moments. Until the feet get itchy again and those comforts become overrated. 🙂
You are so nice and generous to donate to these good causes! When I first saw this sign on the highway in North Carolina, I felt a bit weird… When interpreted literally, it is quite rude. Yet, so many cars were on the road at all times. Cars of people with homes!
Thank you for wishing us well! And, so nice of you to pick up trash in your previous neighborhood. I’ve always said I’d do the same whenever we live somewhere long-term. Of course, we’ve picked up plenty of trash at remote campsites and I even picked up dog poop that wasn’t Maya’s if it littered walking paths. We all do what we can to make a difference. Or not…
April 22, 2020 at 17:28
I’m so happy that you have a place to shelter that is safe and sound… and no bugs! That drive north looked challenging (to say the least). I imagine that you and Mark have a lot to talk about as you plan your next adventures (whenever that will be).
April 22, 2020 at 21:50
Hi Janis!
We actually had “fun” on that drive north. I kept “blaming” Mark for wanting a less boring route, which we sure got. But, he dealt with the situation splendidly. We actually never got frustrated (despite those backroads being more tiring than the highways), until we couldn’t find a place to camp for the night. 🙁
Not much talking about the future going on (except for the “I don’t ever want to come back to New England over the winter”. Yes, we do realize it’s spring, but it doesn’t feel like it.) as we have no idea how far out that future will be. We definitely want to return west as soon as possible!
April 22, 2020 at 18:15
What a lot of work it takes to make that life work (but any lifestyle takes a lot of work, doesn’t it?). It’s fascinating to read about how you juggle everything. Do stay safe.
April 22, 2020 at 21:53
Thanks for reading and being fascinated, Jacqui. I am convinced our lifestyle is challenging, but we still choose to do it. Call us crazy… That being said, now that I don’t have to worry about the basics (water, electricity, internet, time, space, hygiene, and a spot to sleep for the night), I might actually get some work done. 🙂
April 22, 2020 at 18:21
Wow, that was a epic journey! Glad you are safe and sound.
April 22, 2020 at 21:54
Nothing ever comes easy, doesn’t it? 🙂 At least, I feel like we can say that we “work” for our lifestyle, or, in this case, for our comfort and safety. Thanks for following along, Anabel.
April 23, 2020 at 02:40
Is it your parents-in-law’s house you are living in?
April 23, 2020 at 08:42
Yes, it is, Anabel. Your memory is awesome. I should have made this clearer in the post, instead of just mentioning our “hometown”. Sometimes, I think what’s obvious to me is obvious to everyone. Ha! Lesson learned. 🙂
April 22, 2020 at 22:05
Hi Liesbet! So happy you made it north and have a place to hang out safely until things calm down. I realize you have many challenges to overcome while living on the road, but always seem to handle them so well. THIS of course is an entirely new set of challenges but you both are so creative I had no doubt you’d work things out. As for now, enjoy being inside out of the cold. Hopefully before too long we can all be out on more adventures! ~Kathy
April 22, 2020 at 22:13
Hi Kathy!
We were happy to have made it here as well, last week, but are second-guessing ourselves now, as we have no clue just how long we will be stuck here and whether we will even be able to visit our doctors, as everything is closed. Yet, we will figure it out. As always. You know us well. 🙂
And, I say “yes” to more adventures in the near future and to spring arriving soon. You can imagine we miss being in Southern California right now. Enjoy your beautiful weather, blue skies, and blooming desert!
April 23, 2020 at 02:40
Lucky that you found a place and that it’s self-contained. And I love how you split it up into different sections!
April 23, 2020 at 08:41
Hi Trace! I should have been more clear in my post – this room is “always” there for us, at my in-laws. But, we bought extra appliances and reorganized a few things. The tough part was temporarily giving up our lifestyle.
April 28, 2020 at 04:16
If it’s always there for you, that’s even better. I hear you. It’s so tough to be static. Even though we are blessed, there’s always ‘the pull’. In my mediation I am trying to concentrate on accepting ‘what is’. It’s hard!
April 28, 2020 at 12:53
Good to read that you are trying to “accept what is” during your meditation. I’m not giving my emotional state much thought at the moment, as I’m quite enjoying the peace, comfort, and solitude. That being said, as a fellow traveler, that itch or “pull” will arrive soon. But, a break from the road (or the water) is often welcome. Even when that break is “forced”. Take care, Trace!
April 23, 2020 at 06:15
Wow! What an adventure, Liesbet. I don’t know how you have time to write. The campground in SC looks beautiful, but yeah, when the hordes of gnats, flies, and mosquitoes move in, it’s time to heave ho! So are you house/room sitting now or paying rent? It looks like you have everything you need. It sounds much too cold for spring. Stay safe!
April 23, 2020 at 08:48
Hi Jill!
When we live and travel in our camper, I don’t have time to write. So, in general, I always look forward to “sitting still” somewhere to actually focus on work. And, that’s the good thing about settling inside this room for a bit. I should be (more) productive. 🙂
Not house sitting (can’t easily do that with Maya and nobody is traveling at the moment) and not paying rent (if we would do that, we would pick a warmer state to hunker down). We are staying at my in-laws, in our usual room, but with some additions to be able to actually live here. Usually, we cook all the meals in their kitchen and eat with them. Not possible now. 🙁
Anyway, I should have made this clearer in the post and have updated it, explaining where we are. This is actually our official residency address as well. So, still free. Lucky us!
April 23, 2020 at 08:14
Glad you did make it to a permanent home! Hard to believe you went from hot and humid to really, really cold. Looks like you have everything you need and in a much bigger spot now.
April 23, 2020 at 08:51
We are pretty comfortable here, in our usual room with extra appliances, Alex. It looks like we are getting specialized at hitting extreme weather conditions. Normal doesn’t seem to exist anymore. Too hot here, too cold there, too rainy elsewhere. I guess it’s life and we all adjust. 🙂
April 23, 2020 at 09:57
I’m so glad you’re all safe somewhere, Liesbet. As I keep hearing a lot of – ‘We’re all in this together.’ It’s good that you now have a permanent base to ride out this pandemic. It may be busier where you are, but so long as everyone stays home, keeps 6ft apart when out, and wash hands, then we’ll be doing our bit to get back to normal life ASAP. We have to keep positive during all of this and help out where we all can.
Look after yourselves, and keep staying safe.
April 24, 2020 at 16:21
Thanks for your concern, Hugh. You have the right attitude about staying positive. Most people are doing their bit to follow rules, social distance, and wash hands, but I’m sure there are always others who act selfish. Hopefully, all of us manage to avoid them. 🙂 Take care, over there, across the big, wide ocean!
April 23, 2020 at 11:37
You have managed very well. Like living in the camper or a boat. You have plenty of shoes! Cheers
April 24, 2020 at 16:22
The right amount of shoes! Walking shoes, hiking sandals, and flip flops. All we could possibly need. If it ever gets warm and if we ever go hiking again…
April 23, 2020 at 12:34
The grounds of the Santee Coastal Reserve are gorgeous. How lucky you were to have the place to yourselves. But I can see how that wasn’t a long term solution with water an hours drive away, no pump out facilities and all those bugs. I am glad that you were able to navigate your way through the storm back to Newburyport. Your new digs are cozy, but must seem palatial compared to life in a small camper. Hugs from Puerto Escondido
April 24, 2020 at 16:27
You just taught me a new word, Lisa: “palatial”, like a palace! who would have known. Yes, I’m pretty happy with our comfortable digs. I do think doing the dishes in a basin in the sink, tossing the water in the toilet, and drying the dishes in the shower might become cumbersome at some point, but the daily hot showers, two desks, and space to walk inside the room sure won’t! 🙂
We hope you and the Captain are doing OK in the Sea of Cortez… wait a minute… Puerto Escondido… where are you going??? Did plans change again? Maybe you can wave at Peta and Ben!!
April 24, 2020 at 17:10
😄We are at the Puerto Escondido near Loreto. We’ve reserved a mooring ball here for the season, but may self-isolate at more remote anchorages in fairer weather. We feel very fortunate to be where we want to be.
April 27, 2020 at 12:03
Hi Lisa! I’m glad you found a place to lay low for a while, outside a city – a mooring ball isn’t bad, as long as the sea state remains decent – and that there are options to explore or anchor in peace around you. Yes, you are in the Sea of Cortez! Yay! And, I’m sure it’s more pleasant than being hauled out in Puerto Penasco right now and/or be in cold New England. 🙂
April 27, 2020 at 16:53
We’ve gone out exploring. Yesterday to Caleta San Juanico and today to Isla Coronados. Feeling blessed.
April 27, 2020 at 17:01
You went to Isla Coronavirus? Sorry, I couldn’t resist. 🙂 I do envy you right now, as we are stuck inside as it rains and is a whopping “40 degrees feeling like 30 degrees” outside. We’ve sworn (again) to never live in New England and to never return outside of summer.
April 24, 2020 at 10:49
Glad to hear you made it safely to your in-laws. I agree that with more population comes the challenges of maintaining social distancing. Still good to have a home base that you don’t have to be concerned someone will ‘close’.
The drive sounds scary at best. Yikes!
April 24, 2020 at 16:32
Hi Sue! It sure was an eventful ride north, much less boring than the highway, haha. Being able to stay here as long as needed is the nicest perk of them all. Who thought that would ever become an issue? But, daily hot showers and having an oven again (homemade pizzas, brownies, cookies, baked dishes, toast…) is darn nice too. 🙂
April 24, 2020 at 13:19
Sometimes I think I have too many spices – especially to be carrying around in a tiny van – glad to know you do too.
The heat is driving us to go somewhere else now too. No mosquitos here but we were just at a spot with tons of flies – so annoying.
We have to go to Santee now. It was on the agenda last fall but we didn’t end up going in that direction. It looks beautiful.
That storm must of seemed pretty surreal.
Glad you are safe in Newburyport now.
April 24, 2020 at 16:36
I’m with you about thinking we have too many spices. But, in Zesty, we have a special cabinet just for the spices and when that gets jam-packed, we can’t buy more and only replace the containers when totally empty! I think there are probably a couple that can go, but we are out of pepper corns and grains of sea salt right now of which we need more; something will have to give…
I’m convinced you will enjoy Santee, especially in the spring or fall. So, I guess Arizona is starting to heat up now, huh? When it really gets bad, maybe you can head into the mountains in Colorado, if the borders remain open and they allow travelers…
For the sake of nomads – and everyone else, of course – I hope things return to normal-ish soon, because where will we all go in the heat of summer???
April 24, 2020 at 18:43
Love the photos of the trails particularly the boardwalk ones and the cypress trees on the swamps. Ugh gnats and mosquitoes = the worst!! Here on the coast in Mexico I’ve been surprised by how many mosquitoes there are especially given the lack of rain.
I actually love storms except for driving in them! Glad you guys made it in one piece and while not in nature as you usually are, at least you have all the convenience and ease of amenities there.
I think its going to be a long time before things return to normal…. Here corona is only just starting to creep in so we are behind the U.S. and most hereare still way too slack with their social distancing. We do our best to maintain safe distances.
Stay safe and healthy
Peta
April 27, 2020 at 12:11
Hi Peta!
Oh no about the mosquitoes where you are. You’re crashing the idealistic picture I have in my head about your Mexican location. 🙂 But, seriously, I would think there’s often a decent breeze at the coast to keep them at bay.
I love watching storms as well, especially the lightning bolts. As long as they are not too close, like we experienced on our sailboat in Panama over the summer. And, I love watching the rain, especially when hiding somewhere safe and sturdy (not a tent!) and not needing to take the dog(s) out. Haha.
Despite the turmoil happening in the world, I am quite happy with our conveniences and luxuries, taking for granted by so many. I still enjoy my daily shower and am so happy with unlimited water – more than with the unlimited electricity, as we have a solution for that in Zesty. Water is precious!
You guys stay healthy and safe as well. I hope Mexico soon catches up with the rest of the world in terms of plateauing and starting to ease restrictions. I think Massachusetts will be one of the last states in the US to do so, but I’m glad to note that Belgium is finally starting to do better and multiple-phased plans are in order to slowly open up again in May.
April 25, 2020 at 04:03
We’re all getting by any way we can. Liesbet. I was in awe of your idyllic isolation, until the mozzies arrived 🙁 🙁
April 27, 2020 at 12:12
Hi Jo! I can usually deal with mosquitoes – their bites never last too long – until they keep me awake at night. A tired Liesbet becomes a cranky Liesbet, and then those mozzies better watch out!! 🙂
April 27, 2020 at 14:03
I’m sure your feet are itching to get back on the road, but that road seems limited for now, Liesbet! I’m happy to read you are safe at Mark’s parents’ home, and while it might not be the best situation, it could be a lot worse! I had to chuckle at your description of the “apocalypse,” it sure feels that way doesn’t it? Hopefully, spring arrives soon and some warmer weather! Take care!
April 27, 2020 at 17:04
Thanks, Terri! In general, we are doing pretty well here, enjoying our creature comforts. If spring (or better, summer) could just hurry up and make it a bit warmer. That would be better for us and for fighting the virus! I hope you’re not melting away right now, in those unseasonably hot temperatures out west.
April 27, 2020 at 19:26
Hmm, I think my internet had a glitch and my earlier comment disappeared into cyberspace. Anyway, I’m glad you have a safe place to stay, and the skills and attitude to stay comfortable and happy in your (new) confined space. Stay well! 🙂
April 28, 2020 at 12:49
Sorry about that earlier comment disappearing, Diane. I so hate it when that happens as I find it impossible to copy that initial brain activity and prose formation – whether it’s in comments or in other writing. Thanks for persisting!
At the moment, I’m still quite happy living in the “laps of luxury”, but the cold and rainy New England weather is getting old. At least that’s another good excuse to stay inside! 🙂 I hope you and hubby are doing alright as well, and that you’re getting a lot of editing done…
April 28, 2020 at 14:00
We’re fine; and I’m buried in editing. It’s a lucky thing I enjoy it! 🙂
April 28, 2020 at 15:15
Perfect! I’m happy to read that. 🙂
April 27, 2020 at 23:09
So glad you guys are cozied up at home, which is a palace compared to living in Zesty lol. Glad they’re taking all the precautions up your way as we are here. Stay safe and masked! 🙂
April 28, 2020 at 12:50
It sure does feel luxurious to have a room where all three of us can actually walk around in and sit in different places. Maya seems to enjoy it as well, moving about, picking favorite spots to lounge and chew her toys. As safe and as masked as we can be here! Take care, my friend!
April 28, 2020 at 20:36
Hi Liesbet, Exceptionally beautiful photos of the camping area. Unfortunately, the gnats, flies, mosquitoes would have driven me crazy. I think you had mentioned how sleeping was also a challenge. Your entire sentence beginning “Our route……chaos!” Gave me the shivers. Stressful! It is fun to see how you and Mark set things up. You are both quite organized. Yes, positive thoughts and possibly “normal-ish” in the future. It will be interesting to see what happens over the next few weeks. You, too, stay safe and healthy, Liesbet. xx
April 30, 2020 at 13:57
Hello Erica! Good to “hear” from you. The future remains uncertain for all of us and we think that our current state – Massachusetts – will be one of the last ones to turn back to normal-ish. The drive home wasn’t too stressful – it was totally our decision to set out during a storm. It was quite entertaining, actually, and we could both laugh at our detours, to a certain extent. That’s when we decided to jump on the highway… 🙂 Hope you are doing alright, on the island. Mark and I have both concluded that it is safer and the situation better managed/manageable on an island than elsewhere.
June 22, 2020 at 14:10
Hi Liesbet — I’m back to do my “binge read.” I loved the photos you shared of your room at your inlaws’ place. Now I can really picture it. Very clever adjustments to make it possible to cook, do dishes, and have desks for working. Although it’s only one room, it’s a lot roomier than Zesty.
Jude
June 24, 2020 at 20:05
Hello Jude!
Welcome back… It looks like you have a giant reading list to catch up on. Back to the beginning of our Covid days here in Massachusetts. It’s been quite the ride! For all of us… It seems so long ago that I was part of those blogger Zoom meetings!
And yes, this room is much bigger than Zesty, but I think the camper is actually better set up for a “normal” life with a real kitchen and a well-functioning fridge. We actually just returned to this room after a 3.5-week “break” from sitting still and Mark has a hard time adjusting! We need to find our own place, I think, so we can finally be comfortable after fifteen years on the go, together.