After much too long a time, S.V. INTREPID II and her crew have reunited in the works yard of Marina San Carlos Marina Seca. Two years of Sonoran sun, wind, rain and a hurricane in the fall of 2016 have left their marks on our sturdy sailboat. We are working diligently to clean off the initial layers of dust and grime, inspect everything that will be below the water line, polish the prop, replace the zinc, check all the through-hulls. In the cabin interior, the strength of the winds ensured that a thorough cleaning is in store - grit and dust especially in the galley. A busy week of TLC.
Our drive from Victoria to San Carlos took us to Portland, Santa Barbara, Los Angeles, Green Valley and across the border at Nogales. Weather and road conditions were good. Highway 15 through Hermosilla and on to San Carlos was a 'work in progress' with a massive amount of new highway being laid down on one side or the other, requiring a steady zig-zag along mostly single undivided lanes. San Carlos was waiting for us on our arrival! We found a room for Monday and Tuesday evening while we arranged for an apartment for the coming weeks. The view is lovely and we have space to set up the sewing machine for projects and repairs. The abundance of 'boat stuff' that accumulates is being sorted and thinned out - otherwise we'd have to keep raising INTREPID'S waterline.
Based on upcoming high tides, we plan on putting INTREPID in the water mid-week (13th) to continue our preparations: hanking on sails, re-running all the lines, halyards, checking every fitting and connection; the usual! The Northers didn't wait long to remind us of their force and impact. Thursday and Friday they blew fiercely for 48 hours. Friends in Mazatlan noted in their blog that the winds impacted their departure plans. All part of cruising in the Sea of Cortez.
Wishing you all a happy holiday season. Christmas lights are twinkling against the backdrop of sea and mountains.
