Thursday April 10th 2025

The weather has been just bad enough to disrupt plans. Some days have started with fog and most days have included at least a few moments of real rain. Nothing really bad, just unpredictable. As a result most of my exercise has been local to my base camp. Trips to the theme parks for a few hours of walking, watching and enjoying haven’t happened.

Over the last few weeks I’ve watched the gradual departure of the winter residents. It was subtle too begin with, but now it is clear that many people have departed. When I think about it, the timing is right. On initial thought, it is too soon. I still think it is winter. The weather isn’t winter, but my mode, living in my base camp, has a heavy impact on my thoughts.

When I have stayed in a single place during the winter, I have usually been in motion no later than the beginning of April. During the years that I jumped around Florida every couple of weeks, my departure from the state was usually later. This year it will probably closer to August.

Somehow I am fascinated with peoples travel pattern. Since COVID, I have been off pattern with other peoples travel plans quite a few times. In 2020, I holed up in Eloy Arizona for the months of April and May while the travel situation stabilized. The park of three hundred plus sites was practically empty by the time I departed near Memorial Day. This is probably when I started thinking about other peoples travel plan. The bottom line is I don’t think I’ll ever be consistent with the general set of travelers.