Caribbean-bound…in 2022?

Wow.  The news is out.  The US government announced yesterday (Aug 20) that the US land border would remain closed for at least another month.  The next border announcement will be on September 21, 2021.  Too late for us to make a push for the Caribbean for 2021.

Eleven years ago, Mike and I started planning an early retirement that included living on our sailboat in the Caribbean.  The goal was always 2020.  Of course, back then, we could not have imagined a worldwide pandemic altering our course, first for one year… and now, sadly, for a second year.

Although the crew of Wild Horses is shocked and disappointed about seeing our 2021 plans get shelved, we are a resilient bunch.  Our new goal is now Caribbean 2022 and we have already started to take note of new boat projects and plans to fill our in-between time.  Oh, and we have also secured a sweet little cottage space in Gananoque for the winter.  It is beautiful, walking distance to everything and right on the water (Big thanks and virtual hugs to Andrea and Paul for finding this for us!!!!).  The cool part for us too is that the apartment will be very “boat-esque” – small fridge, no oven, limited storage space.  Call us crazy but this is us.  We love living large in a small space.  The winter will be our own land version of Wild Horses.  Nice.

The extra time also allows for all-things-covid to settle into a safer situation, especially in the States, Mexico and the Caribbean islands.  Thankfully, we are doing much better in Canada.  Our vaccination rate is outstanding (yay Canada!) and people continue to follow public health guidelines on distancing and mask-wearing.  We feel safe here.

Best of all, we are excited to spend our winter reconnecting with our fully vaccinated friends and family in person.  So, yes, we are disappointed but, even more so, we are very grateful.  New adventures will be waiting for us next year…  after we finish with the ones unfolding for us here in Canada, right now.  ​

A view of the Half Moon Bay anchorage and the entrance to a small bay where weekly church services are held in non-covid times

The pulpit and bay where the church services are held. The sign on the pulpit indicates that all services are cancelled for 2021 due to covid

Mike and Ocean at the Leek Island beach. Check out the name of our dinghy - very appropriate!