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 1, 2010

Road Trip - Todos Santos & El Triunfo - Dec. 28

Our Christmas present to ourselves was sharing a rental car with friends Heidi and Russ of SV Tillicum I, whom we'd first met back in Oceanside, then in San Diego and once again here in La Paz.  We'd planned to go exploring before Christmas, but postponed the trip to Dec. 28th - better rates, less hectic, etc.  We'd all heard about the piano museum in El Triunfo, a short drive south of La Paz and thought a day in the countryside would be fun and give us a taste of Baja California Sur and its history.

We headed out by 9 a.m. and soon agreed we could fit in a visit to Todos Santos first, which is on the Pacific side of the peninsula and which we'd all only seen in passing as we sailed past it (for us 4 am or so) on the way down to Cabo San Lucas.  Unfortunately, the clouds rolled in and raindrops were falling as we arrived in Todos Santos -- what's a few raindrops if you are from the B.C.??  Well, as we explored the art galleries (Galeria Logan was a special favorite) and artisan shops of Todos Santos and the "Legendary Hotel California" the rain became a downpour and did not let up.  We didn't take time to bargain for Kelly's Mexican shirt, Russ and Heidi did bargain for Heidi's tiles and a fun time was had by all as we got wetter.

Outside the Hotel California - Heidi, Russ and Kelly
Hotel California was a treat - we met the owner, Debbie, at a nearby gallery and were told she was responsible for bringing it "back to life".  She also had spent time in Calgary and Galiano Island - small world.

Lobby - Hotel California
Lunch at Los Adobes - good friends, good food
The lunch menu looked great at the hotel but we explored a bit more and found ourselves at Los Adobes, which had an outdoor courtyard filled with desert plants.  The roof only leaked here and there as the rain continued to fall.

Desert garden in courtyard
Wet but undaunted, we drove back up the highway then east on to El Triunfo, which had been a bustling mining town with the El Progreso Mining Company as the main industry.  The mine closed in 1912 and the town was only recently revived in some part.  Gustav Eiffel designed the principle smokestack - 35 metres tall, which we saw from the road.

Smokestack remains 
In its prime, El Triunfo was a vibrant cultural centre. Unfortunately, the goal of this visit - the Museum of Music, was closed up tight.  There was no sign of open hours, but Heidi managed to spot a grand piano looking rather forlorn through one of the windows when she went back later. We looked for the cafe-restaurant which had displayed its sign out on the road, but it too was closed up tight, as was the municipal hall.  Very disappointing that staff at the car rental office wouldn't mention that on Mondays many things are often closed??

A lovely and practical woven souvenir
We did admire and buy a well made basket woven of palm leaves from a small stand off the main road, and we're investigated by a few dogs as we walked around. 

The road went further - twisting and hairpin at times -- to another mining town, San Antonio - but not much to explore in the rain, so we made our way back through the clouds and mist and agreed we'd enjoyed the outing and camaraderie very much. 

Looking north towards La Paz