February 2020 Update - so far

Continuing on from our January catch-up posting . . . .

We continue to stop by, either during our walks or when out on errands, at "Dorado" to spend time with our amigo Lucky.  He certainly does have folks keeping an eye on his food and water bowl but we miss his company and a few treats are usually in order.  We travel with a bit of cat food just in case his bowl is empty! 

I can see the bottom of my food bowl!

Several weeks ago, a young male kitten was "dropped off" nearby and he spent days crying and hiding behind a padlocked metal gate.  He apparently could squeeze out to check what was in Lucky's bowls and for some companionship and guests left water and food nearby.  We were concerned as well and made some attempts to see if a foster home was available, however, unlikely.  Happy ending so far - the owner of the rental condos provided a collar and arranged for neutering at the upcoming spay and neuter volunteer clinic and posted online to find "Dorado" a home.  We wish him a happy, safe, indoor life.

Lucky and his gatito amigo Dorado

Boat Projects:

Mountings from cutting board material for instruments

Perhaps the Captain will eventually find time to describe his efforts.  In the meantime, here are photos of the instrument mountings he designed and made out of cutting boards.  Another hole saw was needed and hand sawing to correct size, then mounting the pieces to the pedestal guard.  Then installing the wind and boat depth/speed instruments and connecting them, as well as the gps chartplotter, which is above the compass binnacle.  Voila - we now have navigation information at the helm again.

Instruments inserted and ready to go

Filling v-berth water tank requires taking bedding and cushions and all sorts of stuff off the berth to access the water storage below.  Our starboard water tank developed a leak we have been unable to locate, so it has been drained and that project is for another day!

V-berth location of forward water tank 

There are some compensations for all this effort!  We followed a nearby cruiser out towards Nacapule Canyon to the site of an in progress development on a large ranch, as he had offered to lend us a tool to help the Captain with yet another project.  It was a treat to take a break and explore a bit of the Sonoran desert environment, even if we were driving.

Following towards the home site location

The View - The Silence

Work in progress towards a home in the Sonoran desert

 We must find time to explore this spectacular environment.

At Long Last - another post - February 20th

Just a few wires and cables to sort through

Where did January and much of February 2020 go??  Oh - boat projects of course!!

We have made several attempts to upload and edit photos and find a good internet connection to sit down to craft a few postings.  However boat projects and issues take priority with a focus on getting INTREPID II repaired and renewed and ready for cruising. So this post will be a summary of the past weeks with photos - we have not even used our proper cameras for weeks, so the phone pics unfortunately do not have as much clarity.

January 2020:  It was a treat to continue our stay at "Dorado" over Christmas and the New Year - 2020 - another benchmark!  Although a hit to our budget, with rental of a small condo and the marina slip, we could leave our tasks as is at the end of a boat project day and still have a comfortable abode to relax, cook and sleep. Another bonus - we continued to have the company of the 'condo cat' Lucky and he appreciated the attention and warm, dry spot to sleep when the weather was wet and cold.

Our Amigo Lucky - showing us the proper napping technique

However, once Christmas celebrations and decorations were tucked away, we focused on readying INTREPID II to live aboard, even though boat projects would continue.  Finding spots to sleep and cook were our goal, and on Friday, January 3rd we spent our first night onboard on dock B.  It had been quite some time!  Our slip is only 5 spots down from the ramp, so not too long a hike when carrying bags or bins. INTREPID II  is stern-to the dock to keep the Northers from blowing in to the cockpit and lets us see the comings and goings of neighbours - altogether more friendly.

Unfortunately, the "San Carlos crud" struck a few days later and the Admiral had several days and nights of misery and weeks of coughing.  The Captain had his share but fought off the worst of the incessant coughing.  (Now, in mid February, it seems another version is making its' rounds - fingers crossed.)  What a waste of time and energy!  Thankfully we know who to see and where to find the farmacia.  Mid January was no picnic for family in friends in Alberta and B.C.  - a deep freeze set in and snow fell at the estate.  We so appreciate our attentive house-sitter friend!  Although it is winter here, we are thankful for the milder temperatures and inspiring skies.

Sunset over Posada beach from El Mar

Tetakawis as backdrop to a San Carlos evening

Night sky from Palapa Griega 

Boat wise, the fridge and freezer were not staying cold or frozen as they should.  Days later, after calling in the "refrigerators only" Jesus and his assistant, we had a new thermostat and a circulating fan and all was mostly well.  Then it was time for the two 8D gel-cell batteries to protest.  The Captain removed the one which gave up the ghost from the mix. We borrowed a load tester from a neighbour and are hoping the remaining one, along with our solar panels, will be sufficient for this season's cruising.  The battery selection here is limited for marine purposes.

With the demise of our Furuno radar after the knock-down, new compatible instruments were required along with a new radar.  Kelly anticipated challenges during the installation process and he was not disappointed.  We now have an NMEA 2000 network which links wind, boat depth and speed and a gps chartplotter.  There are now fewer older wires and cables running through the boat and we anticipate a more streamlined system.   Days of crawling on the cabin sole, looking at the webs of cabling, sorting out the must keep ones and feeding through new cables and connectors is a tale best left for the Captain to tell.  Of course we needed items which were not anticipated when planning out the initial network.  Garmin came through; Fedex fell down somewhat at the delivery end, but we tracked down our cables at last.

And suddenly it was February - another post will follow. 

Gorgeous blooms to brighten the day - in January!

 And we are so pleased Betty Lou and David continue to keep Claire atop their bow pulpit - a fun and cheery addition to B Dock. (with permission)

Claire of Dock B