S/V INTREPID II - Cape Dory Intrepid 40

My photo
Intrepid II is a Cape Dory Intrepid 40 sailboat, hull #2, designed by Chuck Paine and discovered by the Captain in Blue Hill Maine in 2006. The crew are Kelly (Captain) and Carol (Admiral and Blogger). In 2009 INTREPID II embarked on her West Coast journey from Victoria to San Francisco, the Baja Sur Peninsula and into the Sea of Cortez. In 2010/2011, we sailed from Guaymas, south to Bahia Banderas and back. In 2011/2012 we left Guaymas, headed south to La Paz, spent three weeks at anchor on our northward journey and rested on the hard in San Carlos. Her 4th, 5th and 6th seasons were Boat Projects related. Season 7 - an incredible amount of boat work - but no cruising. Season 8 - Tropical Storm Sergio toppled Intrepid II in San Carlos dry storage. A disappointing season of serious and costly repairs. Season 9 - continuing those repairs and still hopeful for cruising.

March 9, 2010

Onward to San Evaristo - Mar. 3

There were 9 nm (2 hours) to San Evaristo on the Baja California Sur peninsula side.  We were looking forward to spending a few days there again having spent five days at anchor waiting out the northers on our first visit.  We had managed to find some information for Augustine (cantina owner) about his GPS and were bringing some school supplies for Cesar, his 5 year old grandson.  Our trip went quickly and we anchored a little further in from our last anchorage, by the headland.  Frank on Snow Goose chose a spot a bit closer to shore. 

This time we wasted no time to put the dinghy in the water, outboard on, pick up Frank and quickly headed to the tienda only to find it closed.  A walk down the beach to the cantina, to find it open, but that Augustine was out fishing and Cesar was out with his father.  We shared a 'ballena" (large Pacifico cerveza), while our amigo had to go thirsty as there were no refrescos available. 
Strolling to the cantina
On the return walk, the tienda was open, but there were no fresh vegetables or fruit. We later heard there had been a family emergency and the mother and daughter who usually ran the store had left Dad in charge. As he was the truck driver, he had therefore not been able to get away to bring in fresh produce. That night we enjoyed a movie and popcorn aboard Snow Goose (thanks Frank!)  and it was pleasant to sit in a cozy, warm, screened centre cockpit and enjoy good conversation.
View from Augustine's cantina
Next morning (Thursday) was a bit more overcast, but we headed off for a hike to see the "old" cemetery past the salt flats on the north side.  It is a small one and the grave sites are lined with shells to keep the sand and ground cover from blowing away.  A very poignant site.
Old Cemetery of San Evaristo
Along the way we chatted with people we'd met earlier (SV Star), and met Tim ("Rambling Rat") from Scotland, who was driving around the world and who had noticed Kelly's distinctive Tilley hat.  He presented Kelly with a signed Alex Tilley business card to carry in the hat; no such card for my authentic Tilley shorts I was wearing though.  Tim is raising awareness for Street Kids International and is a long way from Scotland, his home starting point.  Later, we visited the tienda and were able to give Augustine his 'quick start' instructions for his GPS in Spanish, Cesar his gifts and enjoy great red snapper tacos.  Cesar kept us company for a walk in his bare feet, quite adept at scrambling over the rocks and hills.  We will miss our new friends and we promised to return to see the completion of the new catina!
The Captain and his young friend Cesar
That night was a rolly one, as we pointed into the SE with no protection from that direction; when the winds shifted to the NW they weren't strong enough to knock down the swells.  Oh well we should be getting used to this.  Plans and routes were laid out to head towards Los Gatos, 29 nm away at 09:30 next morning.