Progress Report - or lack of?

The Captain intends to provide his hands-on, personal commentary on his 2 weeks plus efforts to resolve the through hull and hose challenges on INTREPID II.  On the meantime, here is a quick summary.

Saturday, February 14th:  Valentine's Day started with INTREPID II loaded onto the transport trailer and trucked the short distance from Marina Seca to the marina.  First vessel of the day in, so no waiting.  Thanks to Ken of S/V Rosebud for assisting; always great to have someone helping with lines and docking.  Home now is on A Dock - A14 - halfway down on the inside.  Too bad the gate cards don't seem to be allowing access to B dock and vice-versa, as that doesn't allow for easy visits and seeing if 'anyone is home' when you need second pair of hands for a few minutes on a project.

There have been numerous trips up and down the dock and ramp to haul up jerry cans, extra canvas and other items stowed in the cabin and now stored in the truck.  This was necessary to free up a spot to sleep.  Slowly the cabin will become more liveable and less crowded!  Saturday evening there was more rain and even a thunderstorm; power went out, which impacted the wifi system on the dock and at the marina office.  Having cell phone access to emails and Internet is so helpful in situations like this. The deck and the truck are clean from all the rain.  Days are sunny and that make a big difference when thinking about the weather back home and all those snowy parts of the country.

Since then, Kelly has been challenged by several issues to do with hoses in the head and the sink drain and related conundrums.  He has made trips into Guaymas, found that a favorite hardware store is now closed, with no indication of whether it has relocated or simply shut down.  With the required hoses needing to be of marine quality there are limited sources.  Star Marine in San Carlos continues to remain closed, supposedly for inventory taking?  They were to have opened earlier this week.


However, the sun shines, the days are warm; actually the days are hot!  Since it is problematic to prepare meals onboard at the moment, that is an excellent reason to check out the various restaurants for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  He has also picked up a few staples from Santa Rosalia market and the surrounding bakeries.  A nearby gym offers a good deal on a drop-in pass and that is a good way to become focused on something other than boat project puzzles.

We have been able to stay in touch by phone quite inexpensively so far through an AT and T phone plan.  I am glad Kelly's research discovered this option, as our existing Telus options became so much more expensive this year.

All is well here at home.  We had some sunny days which encouraged the spring blooms to continue; now we have the expected drizzle and cloudy skies, but Spring is in the air.  Our hummingbird feeder is visited regularly by this active hummer at rest on our budding red flowering current.

Gung Hay Fat Choy - Year of the Ram!

Found the sunshine in San Carlos - February 2015

The Captain's road trip went smoothly and without any major issues.  This year Kelly was driving south through Portland, Salem, Sacramento, Palm Desert and on to Nogales, Arizona.  He was crossing into Mexico last Tuesday (February 3rd); got a  green light this time.  Onward through Hermosilla and into San Carlos, destination Marina Seca.  Total time of  4.5 days of driving and Rojo Grande did a fine job handling the U.S highways.  Kelly mentione one item of interest; on his arrival Monday late afternoon in Nogales, there were large numbers of vehicles lined up at the gas stations. Obviously gas prices were cheaper on the U.S. side of the border, which is not always the case.  He topped up Tuesday morning before heading for the border crossing.

The Marina Seca crew had INTREPID II in the works yard as requested.  Kelly located her way down the line near the big garage and painting area; the place is busy and full. The security guards 'released' a ladder for him.  He was pleased to see that the rains had washed away much of the grit and dust off the deck. As the cabin is far too stuffed at the moment to live aboard, home for the Captian is the Totanaka RV park down the road. His accommodations are basic, but offer a place to sleep, shower and make coffee in the mornings.

Ladders - in short supply and very necessary in the works yard

With input from our surveyor, Allen, and discussions with Eduardo of Star Marine, the boat projects were underway.  Unfortunately the seacock which 'froze' last season is still not cooperating.  Plans to 'splash' into Marina San Carlos today (Saturday) are delayed a week due to low tide -of course it would be this coming Wednesday.  Thank goodness for online searches and internet communication; marine parts supplier Defender will be sending replacement parts to Nogales asap. Thanks to Mike and Judy for offering to pick up the package on their own trip for parcels.

In the meantime, the Captain walked the docks at the marina to see who is still in residence.  He met up with Ken of S/V Rosebud; just missed Mac and Wendy of S/V Kookaburra by a half hour.  Once INTREPID II is in the water it will be easier to be on the morning net to find out who is in the area.  He is making time to check out what's new in San Carlos and what has changed. 

The marina feral cats are still residence. Kelly observed it almost seems like they recognize Rojo Grande from last season.  The monthly swap meet is on this morning in the San Carlos storage yard.  Perhaps a drive down south to Empalme for the weekly Sunday market.  Never know what treasures you might find, even if you weren't looking for them!