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.

April 9, 2010

Playa Santispac - highlights - Mar. 23-30

Visiting Pelican


Thursday:  We did get the strong winds as forecast for the next few days, but kept busy with boat projects, as did everyone else - sometimes taking breaks, going for hikes or walks. We kept in contact with other cruisers on Ch 16, as usual.  The dinghy wheel issue was a challenge, so Kelly scrubbed the water line from the dinghy. There was about 3 inches of long green "hair" growing just above the waterline which did not look too shipshape!  Time to scrub out he bilge as well.  Carol baked biscuits, then spent a few hours scrubbing the cockpit.  The surface gets marked and scuffed from the tethers we wear on passage, as well as from shoes and other equipment, so a bit of TLC was in order.  The pelicans were taking advantage of the great fishing and the gulls were trying to convince them to share!

A bit of rest and reading, then into shore and time to share a cold cerveza with the Rutea and Galatea folks who had just returned from a hike.  Back onboard later that evening we checked for email via "Winlink" and enjoyed hearing from family and friends, as well as receiving the Sea of Cortez weather update.  Light winds overnight - so a good night's sleep.

Friday:  time to try hitch-hiking into Mulege - we had banking, Internet, provisioning and seeing the town on our agenda.  We walked up the road to the highway and gave it a try; thought we looked very respectable and safe, but it took almost a half-hour before a vehicle stopped.  The off road shoulder is on the uphill climb and drivers have to decide quickly whether to pull in to stop quite away back.  We couldn't have been more fortunate, however, as the driver who did pull over was Susan, a lovely lady who befriended us and made our day so much more enjoyable.  Not only did she give us lots of local information, she took us on a tour of Mulege, pointing out where the bank, hardware, restaurants, markets and other sites were, then offered to take some of our provisions back in her vehicle and leave them at Ana's so we didn't have to carry them around!  We visited a local taco spot, did our banking, checked email and Internet, walked the town, and walked under the bridge to the "water store" to catch up with a possible ride. 
Waiting for a ride at the 'water store'
Hurricane and flood damage
Along the river road we could see the signs of the last hurricane and flooding. Apparently the water rose over 11 feet and everywhere was silt, mud, broken palm trees and much destruction.

Serendipity: waiting for Russ, who had promised us a ride back but been delayed, we met a couple who offered us a ride back to Santispac.  We asked the water kiosk man to pass on a message to Russ once he did arrive and off we went.  Once again, we were fortunate to meet thoughtful people, who took us right to Ana's to check for our provisions and down the beach to our dinghy - thanks Laurie and Randy.  Hope we see you again!  Back at the anchorage the wind had gusted to over 24 knots, according to Galatea folks who had watched the boats for us.  That evening Carol spent uploading photos to the lug-top, then we read and fell asleep listening to the wind, knowing we were secure at anchor.

Saturday:  The Forecast from the Weather men:  Don Anderson:  today N 15 - 25 knots; Sunday NNW 20 - 30;  Geary says:  NNW 21 - 27 today; NNW 24 - 31 Sunday, and NNW 15 - 20 on Monday, so we're staying in Santispac for a bit longer, as most boats seem to be.  Rob came to our rescue on the dinghy wheel issue -- thanks once again. Carol cleaned galley drawers and cupboards and the wind eased up enough by 5 pm for some of us to decide we could leave the boats and take in the pig roast at Ana's.  A great time was had by the crews of Keetya I, Rutea and INTREPID II - even some dancing!