On the hard

Yesterday at this time we were still full speed ahead for the Marquesas. Kay and I (more K than I) were spending our time loading the boat with non-perishable foods. Then in quick succession it was announced that Tonga, then French Polynesia and finally New Zealand were all closing their boarders. If we cross the Pacific as planned we would find ourselves with nowhere to go.

Another consideration was having options if we did get sick, picking it up in PV while provisioning, but not showing symptoms until under way. The whole crew would soon be sick with no one to operate the boat and no medical services available.  The decision quickly became easy. 

After years of planning it has all been snatched away. But... So far we are in good health, so we can be thankful for that. Still, as ever there remains the question: what to do. For a short period of time I entertained the idea put forward by Eric and Linda on Rover: bash our way back up the coast to San Diego, then leave from there next year. There were several things about that option that were unattractive: losing ground, the upwind slog north, the uncertainty of fuel availability. 

The idea that gained traction in my mind was pulling the boat out of the water in La Paz and leaving it in dry storage for the coming year. Afterward we'd have to travel home somehow. Then Rover offered to let us crew for the ride back to San Diego. That sounded even better: leave the boat in La Paz and ride to San Diego with Rover.

I set to work this morning and after some frustrating Spanish exchanges, finally located a boat yard with a lift that would give us space "on the hard."

The next challenge, after we arrive in San Diego, will be figuring out how to get to Seattle without subjecting ourselves to a flying petri dish. That's a decision that can wait a couple weeks.