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 14, 2010

Puerto Escondido Update - Mar. 14

Loreto town hall
As we've been away from the computer for a few days we wanted to give you a quick update before going back into "catch up" mode for the anchorages we've visited.  Wednesday we rented a Nissan Sentra and drove in to Loreto (about 20 miles north), stopping for a great breakfast at Los Barrachos (the drunks?) just on the turn-off to San Javier.  (The image below, courtesy of 'mexicotravelnet', shows the area just north of the marina, past the Loreto resort development, airport and into the town.)



We'll write more about our time in Loreto, but briefly, we visited the Misión de Nuestra Señora de Loreto Conchó (founded in 1697) and the museum, the shady pedestrian street called "gringo gultch" offering souvenirs and crafts and walked down a number of streets.  We finally spotted the pink and green post office near the entrance to town and mailed some postcards. Hope they get to you as the small letter box wasn't even locked! 
Bell Tower of the Misión de Nuestra Señora de Loreto Conchó


Hotel in Loreto - lovely inside as well
Mision San Javier
On Thursday, we shared our day with Frank of Snow Goose, and headed for an adventurous drive to the Mision San Javier, 32 kms inland.  We covered 14 kms of paved and 18 kms of graded dirt road, some in better (or worse) condition than the rest. There were portions covered with run-off from the arroyos which do fill with water when it rains.  We made it in fine shape due to Kelly's careful driving, but it was fairly intense and exhausting for all three of us.  More on the land trips to follow.

Friday we "stayed home", rested up and enjoyed the harbour setting.  Saturday was laundry day which took most of the morning and early afternoon due to malfunctioning machines, too few machines and just THINGS in general.  A few minutes were left to send emails with hopes to get to a few more today. We hurried back to INTREPID II before the chop kicked up as we didn't want our clean laundry to get splashed. We can always wash the spray off ourselves.

Our current weather is sunny with "light whispies" overhead with a stronger wind than yesterday.  We managed to snag the end spot on the small dock near the dinghy tie-ups, side tied at about 9:30 am. We are washing down INTREPID II to remove 3 weeks of salt spray off every surface and line, then quickly drying all the fresh water off as lots of bees are in the area, all thirsty for fresh water.  The dinghy is thoroughly washed and dried, the water tanks filled, and the fuel cans filled with diesel.  Now it's time to stop for lunch, get cleaned up and hopefully participate in the Hidden Harbor YC weekly Sunday potluck.

Tomorrow, Monday, if all goes well we hope to make an early start once we've listened to the weather and decide if we try for Bahia Ballandra.  It is situated on the north west side of Isla Carmen, about 16 nm or 4 hours away.  If conditions don't seem cooperative we will pick another anchorage that offers north, north west wind protection and tuck in there.  Or we may find we're back here on a mooring for a few more days.  Stay tuned, hope all is going well in your lives and know we think of you often.