A Different Reality

Posted by Provant July 03, 2022

A Different Reality

Here we sit. It has been some time since we actively sailed Iolair, but always knew we would get back to her. We spent a second season in the Caribbean going to our favorite places, singing with our favorite people, and hosting guests in the Grenadines. All went well, until.....Leslie, a high school friend, and her husband Pat, tried to fly back to the US after visiting us in Martinique. They wound up on one of the last planes to leave the island before everything shut down. COVID essentially stopped all international travel, and Iolair could no longer move between countries in the Caribbean. You might think ... well, at least you were in Martinique - which is true in part - but it wasn't that simple. 500 boats were at anchor, we all needed water, fuel, food, and even medical help. The French government told us they would not force us to leave (some other islands did!). We had to complete a form for each visit to shore, and we were only allowed ashore for groceries, water, and a short walk within a kilometer of the dock. We could swim around the boat within a tight circle. The Frenchies did take good care of us, and patrolled the harbor by helicopter and warship to make sure everyone followed the rules.

Fast forward 2 months, and we could only return to the US, a ten day sail. After a stop in the US Virgin Islands we sailed Iolair back to Florida and eventually back to Virginia. We hauled her out of the water and returned to Idaho and continued our confinement at the cabin in Donnelly. We heard of cruisers that didn't survive COVID...but fortunately our immediate friend and family group made it through.

Fast forward another year after some great snow skiing, bike packing, and contract work, we made the decision to move the boat to the Pacific Northwest - on a truck instead of through the Panama Canal as originally planned. So here we sit, the boat is reassembled and we added a small wood burning stove to warm up the cabin. We enjoyed cruising in the San Juans with family, and now Kelly and I are now heading up the coast of British Columbia toward some of the most intact wild ecosystems left...well, anywhere on the planet. This year we will go as far as the Broughton Island group along the northern Vancouver Island coast. Next year we head to Alaska. The biologist in me can't wait. Our skin is a little thin though, and the water is deep and cold so it is time for extra caution. We will miss our warm blooded friends in the blue Caribbean but know our adventures will keep us connected.

We will often be without cell phone service, so at times the photos will lag behind the words.