Life changes and no Fort Myers this year

austjj

I look forward to March each and every year, the trip to Fort Myers Beach has always been special to us. I tow my boat about 2500 miles round trip but worth the effort. I will not get to see my special friends at Bayside off of  Pine Ride road and San Carlos. We will not get to see the smiles on the grandkids faces as I pick then up at the airport. I am 77 but will stay positive with this glitch in our life and hope that is all it is. I will miss the sun, wind, beach, the fresh air, and the fishing. My wife will miss the boat rides to the local on the water restaurants. I will still fish back here in Ohio, but I will miss Southwest Florida for sure this year. Maybe we will get lucky with this virus and we can do a trip in May.

Scoutboat

Sorry to hear that!
Sunlight and fresh air are deadly to this virus.

austjj

True, I can get that in Ohio and avoid people. The only way this will get under control is what the Ohio gov is doing.. He doesnt all the answers but he is surrounded by a good team. I am keeping my fingers  cross that Florida does well with this virus, as well as Ohio and other parts of the United States, if this happens I hope to drive down in mid or late April or even early May. Time will tell how this will plays out. In closing if what you say is true, why did the baseball teams leave Florida.

austjj

AS OF March 15, Florida has 155 cases and 4 deaths. Ohio 25 and 1 death. Texas, Georgia and Louisiana have a total of 342 case with 4 deaths. Lets hope they can get this under control within the next two months

AnEnglishFisherman

Interestingly the total population of the states you mention is not a whole lot more than the UK. Given those states total figures are roughly 10 deaths from 550 cases you are doing a lot better than our 71 deaths from 1900 ish cases. The warmer weather that should help should get to you a good month before us as well. I’m pretty much resigned to having to reschedule this years Florida trip in June to next May or June now. 

austjj

I will not post again as far as this Corona virus, the numbers are will continue to go up. I just hope that Americans do what is needed to keep the curve from going higher and higher. This will not be 100 dash but a distance race. We have to remain positive and do what is needed to protect each other. We are all in this together, just not the old timers like some younger people think. Wash your hands often, don't touch your face, keep your distance and stay safe. 

Capt Dan Medina

Your doing the right thing by staying home.  As much as it pains me, both personally and financially, the mere fact that multi billion dollar organizations have completely shut down to help curve this pandemic tells me all i need to know.  Do i wish i could have continued chartering and not loose just about all the trips on my calendar thru may? Absolutely!  However money comes and goes... and if one life is saved from making this sacrifice, then I will support it. Fishing offshore has been pretty hot and will only get better for a while!! 
Stay safe and plan a longer vacation for  when the dust settles. 

austjj

Well said Capt Dan Medina. The last thing my wife and I wanted to do was to cancel our yearly Florida trip. We felt the need to stay in Ohio this year. We both soon turn 77 and want to stay healthy, We will stay in quarantine for as long as necessary. 

ANUMBER1

Capt Dan Medina said:

Your doing the right thing by staying home.  As much as it pains me, both personally and financially, the mere fact that multi billion dollar organizations have completely shut down to help curve this pandemic tells me all i need to know.  Do i wish i could have continued chartering and not loose just about all the trips on my calendar thru may? Absolutely!  However money comes and goes... and if one life is saved from making this sacrifice, then I will support it. Fishing offshore has been pretty hot and will only get better for a while!! 
Stay safe and plan a longer vacation for  when the dust settles. 

that is an awesome attitude sir!

stc1993

I live in SW GA  last time I looked we had 103 cases with 8 deaths.

austjj

Ohio is really staying on top the best they can with this virus. But since we have had no testing the predictions in a few weeks for Ohio is 10,000 new cases each day for 30 days. I numbers will change quickly and I hope soon to begin to level off. We need to level the curve to enable hospitals to take care of our needs. Keep your distance and stay safe. 

austjj

I hope all of you are doing well, Ohio still locked down until May 1. My wife and I at age 77 will have to be extra safe until vaccine is out or  testing for all. I miss Fort Myers Beach, but felt it was best to stay put in Ohio. We were not going to leave until after March 20, soon after that Fort Myers Beach was closed. I would have had my boat, but not sure what that would have been like. Keep your distance and be safe. Hope to get back next year, this is the first time in 17 yrs we have been home for Easter. 

CaptJ

ANUMBER1 said:

Capt Dan Medina said:

Your doing the right thing by staying home.  As much as it pains me, both personally and financially, the mere fact that multi billion dollar organizations have completely shut down to help curve this pandemic tells me all i need to know.  Do i wish i could have continued chartering and not loose just about all the trips on my calendar thru may? Absolutely!  However money comes and goes... and if one life is saved from making this sacrifice, then I will support it. Fishing offshore has been pretty hot and will only get better for a while!! 
Stay safe and plan a longer vacation for  when the dust settles. 

that is an awesome attitude sir!

Agreed. Lost all our rental income in St. Pete Bch for the next two months or longer, but there's no amount of money that can make up for lost lives and suffering. Good on ya!

austjj

I always think positive and know things will get better. CaptJ, I hope things are well for you and you stay safe.