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.

January 10, 2011

A few more days at the dock - January 2011 is unfolding

Singlar marina and shrimp fleet at next dock
This Admiral is in need of some real 'down time' to shake her cough and cold; the weather has other ideas.  We had two options:  either to leave this morning (Monday) across to the Baja California Sur peninsula to be close to a protected anchorage before the northers pick up again.  Or, to wait until later this week.  After much consideration, we've chosen to stay a few more days to ensure we both have time to take breaks, rest up and hopefully catch the next weather window.

Yesterday the Captain suggested a trip to the Sunday Market at Empalme to get us off the boat. Empalme is a small town about 15 minutes south of Guaymas and originated as a railway community, whereas Guaymas is a larger port city.  This market town is set out in a grid pattern with wide streets, well maintained and a surprising amount of greenery, including some imaginative topiary.
Entrance to the commercial port of Guaymas
Driving to Empalme

Whimsy in greenery
Once we located the market, we parked in a nearby shady spot.  We walked along the stalls which offered everything from fresh produce, which we purchased at the end of our stroll (a large bag of onions, squash, garlic, peppers, cilantro for 20 pesos), to clothing, tools, toys, dvds, fresh squeezed orange juice (10 p for large glass).  Lunch consisted of tacos and a refresco and we treated ourselves to ice cream - good for sore throats!  The sun shone and this was a welcome break.
Everything looks fresh and tasty
On returning to our dock, we purchased a kilo of scallops harvested from Bahia Kino for $200 pesos. Not sure if that was much of a bargain, but Kelly sauteed half of them them in butter and garlic and with rice and fresh squash we actually had our first cooked dinner on board.  Getting into the routine now!  In closing, a photo of a lovely snowy egret who has kept us intrigued by his/her fishing techniques, balancing on one of our dock lines while trying to spot just the right fish for dinner.
Ballance - Snowy Egret on dock line