I consider myself to be pretty hardy [that, opposed to hearty which describes my open heart], yet this ridiculously cold time in Florida has tested my resilience! Similar to being home in Indiana, it is the biting wind that makes the colder temps so miserable. While there is not much to do about this quirky reality in nature, I can surely lament these unexpected conditions! Disclaimer: plenty ‘o grumbling ahead…
In the weeks prior to our leaving Indiana, when friends asked where we were headed, I delighted in responding with “to a warmer part of the country, Florida (and eventually Texas). Little did I know that the cold from home would follow us south. We have had a couple of days in the high 50s and low 60s which, without wind is just peachy but thus far, this has been a colder southern experience than that to which we have been used to in the past. We’ve done a lot of bike rides, as we are able layer our clothes, which brings the internal heat up nicely — it is the showers that are so rough. (waaaah, grumbling about first world “problems”, I told ya’)
The campground bathrooms in Florida are NOT heated. Most states surrounding Florida provide heat in the bathroom, used only when needed of course, but not Florida. The bathrooms are all open to the elements as they are fitted with slotted or metal barred windows, through which the biting cold air is free to flow. The water is delightfully hot, hooray, so that when I stand directly under the water flow, I am toasty warm but as soon as I step out to dry off, well, I become immediately cold — I cannot get dressed quickly enough! It is embarrassing to write this actually, as my privileged life is so comfortable, so blessed, so full, yet here I am bellyaching away. Thank you for indulging me, dear reader!
We left camp early this morning as Sundays are typically our laundry and grocery day. Here we sit, in a Panera, with our coats on, watching others sipping their drinks WITH GLOVES ON, because it is so cold inside! They had not turned the heat on in this establishment for so long that when they attempted to this morning, the heater didn’t even work! We came here to warm up, after a very cold laundromat stop, and before grocery shopping, but no such luck. (no heat in the laundromat, either!) According to local news, Flagler Beach, only 15 miles up the road received one inch of snow, overnight. Ridic! Inside Vanda, lest you are worried, we have a powerful heater to keep us warm as well as hot water, both of which are dearly appreciated. If only we didn’t have to go outside of the van…HaHa.
We found a fabulous natural foods store at which to shop called LOVE Whole Foods. Kinda tricky on the name but it is a small store that is filled with all the foods! Unexpected little gems such as this store make me happy. We’re back in Vanda now, in camp, where a raspberry/strawberry cobbler is baking, the just-washed veggies and fruits are air drying, and my feet are finally warm–the first time of the day! Life is good!
