So as the world (or at least our little corner of it) begins some measurable movement out of our CoVid hibernation, some limited access to Point Roberts began back in mid January. Since that time, un-interrupted land border access (no testing requirements; other than random ones) has remained in place. With annual moorage renewals typically done for April 1, we started thinking more about when/should we return back to the Point. At that time, maritime entry into Canada would still require testing, and that would be unrealistic for us logistically. Rumours started mid-March about a relaxing around those restrictions, but with no official announcement, we still held off. Finally around the 3rd week of March the government made the anticipated announcement, so we had to make an actual decision. So on the Friday night (April 1) we headed over to Ladysmith for our last night moored there for the foreseeable future. The boat was pretty well prepped already, so after getting breakfast and a sandwich for lunch, I pushed off shortly after 0800. Lisa took the car up to visit her mom for the day -she'd be coming over on the ferry later and would come down to PR to pick me up.
We got a diver to scrub the hull and prop, and to change the zincs a week before, so there was barely a ripple behind us as we motored out. The wind predictions were varied and I still wasn't sure of my route to PR; either via Polier, or Active Pass. Once out of the harbour, it looked like down through Active would be best, so south I went. There were a couple brief periods where I rolled out the headsail to help out the motor a little -the Current Tables said slack would begin at 11:45, so my concern was simply to get down there on time. Once rounded Tent Island, the headsail was beneficial for most of the way down to Active Pass. The wind/direction had me furling up and transiting AP under motor. After all the concerns of getting there for slack, it turned out the current tables were wrong and I still had a 2 knot current to push against. Once out the east entrance, the sails came up and we were off on a close reach to the Point. The winds were pretty much 9-12 kts. over flat water, and happy being out and was doing 7.5-8+ the whole way. She touched 8.9 a couple times as the familiar landscape quickly approached. I also started realizing I was feeling a little more helm -the increased winds of 14-18kts. may of had something to do with it. I think she was happy to get a chance to run and enjoyed the outing as much as I did.
Economically, the whole Point, including the Marina has been hit hard by the last couple years; the place has been a ghost town and no sort of maintenance or improvements attempted while there were no boats there to impede progress. While the place looks a little dilapidated, the bottom line for us however, is that it will be great to have regular access and use of Volti again.