After the boats were put away for the season in 2019, this retiree headed to Florida and was fortunate to paddle with a team there for several months. It was amazing to get out on the water again! Paddling with alligators watching from the shallows and having the occasional dolphin race with us really made for a different experience! We enjoyed lots of golfing, and I took out a membership at a local gym in order to maintain and increase my fitness level. When home for the holidays that year I was able to work out with Knot a Breast in Welland for several weeks doing circuit training and paddling in “the tank” (See Knot A Blog: KAB Members in The Tank). It is a large pool with running water that simulates being on a moving body of water like a lake. You really have to experience it to understand! Incredible!

Anne training in Florida winter 2019/2020: Anne smiling at camera

In January 2020, I was back in the sunny south, still working out, still paddling with the team there, golfing, playing pickle ball and staying connected with my team and their fitness plans. Excitement was mounting and everyone was looking forward to what they 2020 season was going to bring. Who would have thought it would bring a global pandemic that would overwhelm our healthcare system, have us isolated from those we love, close our borders and cancel our whole season?  

We were wintering in Florida, somewhat oblivious of what was going on throughout the world, as Florida remained “business as usual”.  It was at the urging of our daughter, the Prime Minister and coach Kathy to come home early that made us quickly change our plans and return to Canada in March just in time to see borders close! Now safely back at home,  I watched from my window as spring ran into summer, and then summer into fall in what felt like the movie “Groundhog Day”.  I developed a daily routine of: Get up, check the news, walk, read, make meals, and clean up.  I did this all while anxiously waiting for an announcement of a vaccine that would help us to return to the people and places and activities we loved!