Accessible toilets, showers, gym, and laundry, guaranteed safety and parking, affordable food, diesel, and carwash. These are a few of the perks we had at our fingertips while we stayed on base. We were living the good life.
From 24 November to 1 December, the three of us were able to stay at the campground on base at the Naval Air Station Key West-Sigsbee Park Annex. The Naval Air Station (NAS) Key West is broken into at least five separate parts across Key West and nearby keys. We learned that two of them have their own RV and tent campgrounds. NAS Key West-Sigsbee Park, the one we stayed at is located on the entire island of Dredgers Key. This is a small island just a few hundred feet from the main island of Key West.
The other campground is at the segment called NAS Key West-Trumbo Annex. Trumbo is located on the island of Key West, and extends to Fleming Key. Also, Trumbo is within a mile or so from downtown Key West. And between you and us, Sigsbee Park has the nicer campground. As such, we were very pleased with our little discovery!
With the certainty of having a homebase at Sigsbee Park we were both reassured and comfortable. Our stay at Sigsbee Park was so nice. Being able to change it up from the constant search of a place to park for the night was just what we need. We felt comfortable being able to be lazy. Without this certainty, we end up moving driving to new spots all the time. We try to not be a burden, trying to be as inconspicuous as possible. But here, with a guaranteed spot, we were able to take a break from the hustle-and-bustle and stress.
From his time in the US Air Force, Orsuré had known that some US military bases have affordable lodging and campgrounds available to current and veteran members of the military. After a week of living the nomadic life in Key West and wanting to be a little more stable, we discovered that the Naval Air Station Key West was one such base with its very own campground. At a nightly price of $17 per night for a dry spot (a lot without water, electricity or waste hookups), this is a quarter of the price of the cheapest nearby campground.
The lowest priced non- government campground nearby Key West boasts a stay of $68 per night before tax. 68-DOLLARS!! That's absurd! But, when you compare this price to the prices of hotels around here, even that is (*cough*) somewhat affordable. Well, to us it definitely isn't.
Getting back to our home for the week. For the first two nights we were placed in a spot close to one of the bathroom facilities. It was good enough, but was a bit crowded, being nearby many 30+ footer rigs. The third day we were able to move to a more private location, where we were able to have our sliding door open and not face another camper. For the time being we had our own little sanctuary.
During our stay here, my mom asked a good question, and one others of you might be thinking. She asked if we were safe on base. When she first asked this my initial thought was about thievery and strangers breaking in. To this, campgrounds seem like the most safe setting to reside. I quickly realized she was talking about "politics".
Campgrounds tend to have an older crowd, and this campground on base was no exception. Driving and walking around the campground, it was easy to see some people had stickers on their vehicles and RVs of things we didn't agree with or of people and politicians who actively dislike the fact that Orsuré and I are even able to be a family. Other than these stickers, we didn't have any direct issue with any of our neighbors.
[Generally speaking across all bases, by law when the Defense Of Marriage Act (DOMA) was deemed unconstitutional, and gay and trans women and men were given the civil right to marry and have families, being on base we are as safe by law as we are anywhere else. For those that might not know, DOMA made same gender couples and their families second class citizens, prohibiting us from the right to marry, have kids, and other civil benefits afforded to heterosexual couples. And, as soon as DOMA was deemed unconstitutional, the military got rid of its "don't ask, don't tell" policy, allowing gay and trans women and men to openly serve in the military.
Everywhere we're at, we've gotta be smart. We know we're not in the Seattle - Puget Sound area, where we are pretty much able to walk hand-in-hand anywhere and have no issues. We are aware of our surroundings. This is no different being on or off base, in or out of a campground. As luck would have it, we're finding that Key West seems to be a city where we are accepted and welcomed as a family.]
Being a "civilian", this was the first time I had ever lived on a base. And it was a really smooth process. Along our travels, we are now going to be looking up other campgrounds on bases. When we want a change of pace, it will be easier and more affordable to do so.
Since we've got 24-hr access onto the base, since leaving the campground, we also have access to the gymnasiums, showers, convenience stores, and all other things on base. Yay! Free showers!