This morning we precipitously cancelled our reservation on Key Largo for next year’s season. Though at first we were hopeful all would aright itself within the next three months, the current talk on the popular news channels is overwhelmingly discouraging. In particular the United States of America (because of its president’s mendacious treatment of the virus) is reportedly about to see an explosion of contamination and deaths. If nothing else the pandemic will discolour the general atmosphere and likely limit the availability of businesses big and small. It is not in any event predictably productive of a relieving holiday environment. We have accordingly drawn in our horns and contented ourselves to contemplate instead what if anything we might do closer to home if and when we’re able to move more openly than at present. The prospect of travel anywhere abroad is now much diminished.
Already my mind has wandered as far afield as the bluffs of Lawrencetown beach on the Eastern Shore near Halifax, Nova Scotia where I last recall on a Saturday morning (before settling into the library at law school) having nestled in a car high on a cliff overlooking the ocean, munching shrimp sandwiches and homemade oatmeal muffins. The nautical flavour has as well heightened my picture of indolence in a cabin with a fireplace – complete naturally with a cigar and martini! Just kidding! No go-go girls!
Neither is the allure of driving within one’s own territorial boundaries by any means discredited as an unavoidable option. As comfortable as I now am with driving along hitherto unfamiliar highways in the United States of America the relieving attraction of venturing upon terra firma is undeniable. I have only now learned further detail in the evolution of this ragingly uncertain pandemic. The provincial premiers may soon restrict travel across their borders (though perhaps confined to going in, not out). This prospect has I believe already been instituted by municipalities in their mayoral admonishment to stay indoors. I have yet to satisfy myself that idle motor vehicle driving or leisure cycling are tolerable infractions. As for grocery shopping, that remains a risk no matter how careful one is about social distancing.
Parallel to our pandemic motive for withdrawing our seasonal contract in Florida is the more peccant consideration of vacation health care. Our insurers have on ten days notice unilaterally revoked our erstwhile agreement; and they were as abruptly and unmistakably reluctant to suggest when if at all they will renew the policy. This sine qua non in turn impacted our entitlement to terminate our arrangement on Key Largo – a contractual privilege limited to 60 days prior to commencement of the term. Finally there was the admittedly paranoid speculation that the pervasive financial distress might unfavourably impact the estate agency with which our deposit rests albeit purportedly under the protection of Federal Deposit Insurance. It is a legal entitlement I prefer not to enforce or litigate.
As I mentioned only moments ago there is no more reason to suffer disappointment because of this turn of events than to regret the fall of a leaf from a tree. Things happen. Period. I look at the circumstance as an opportunity for a change of course. My ambition is most certainly not confined to barrier islands on the Gulf of Mexico or to rocky shores in Nova Scotia on the Atlantic Ocean. Often I have noted the nearby advantage of Algonquin Park and Muskoka Lakes.
The singular convenience of the resort in Muskoka is its proximity – no more than five hours including a stop for lunch. I must however remind myself that discovery means trying something new. Knowing His Lordship as I do I fully expect that whatever unfolds is assured to be sublime! No question a good deal of the fun I have going anywhere is the drive to get there! My needs are elemental! Only point me in the right direction and I’m set to go! To horse, I say! To horse!