INTREPID II - "What do you mean you are putting me back on the hard already?"

Sad but true.   The past month was a busy one for Captain Kelly.  He had planned to stay at least one week longer before hauling out then heading homeward.

INTREPID II once again settled into dry storage

However, "time and tides wait for no boat or captain".  While checking for a suitable depth in the shallow marina, during working hours, Kelly determined that the entire last week of March was no-go!  The next best option was this current week and in order to have a 'Plan B' (apologies to Ken S.) to allow for any unforeseen 'oops', INTREPID II was lifted out of the water yesterday (March 19th) at 10;)) a.m.  The works yard at Marina Seca was the first stop to finalize, organize, stow and take off any extraneous items.  Kelly managed to book a cozy room down the way at the R.V. park for two nights.  It's at the very back of the property, so hopefully quieter than the 5th wheel which was home base at the beginning of this sojourn.

A link for anyone who might want to check out the accommodations:
http://www.totonakarv.com/home.html

Today (Friday) was part two of moving INTREPID II back into the dry storage yard. Kelly ensured she was settled in and secured for the Sonoran spring, summer, fall.  There will be blazing sun (it is already hot), gritty winds, thunderstorms; hopefully no hurricanes track this far north!  

Although the sailing opportunities did not arise, there was time to make new friends, connect with a few from previous years, battle the "bo-bos" and wish for the air conditioning unit that was sold for a song last season.  He pondered the whys and wherefores of what kept causing the Internet to go down at the marina.  Thank goodness for the cell phone data plan!  Kelly took on the task of 'weather reader' on the morning net when most people could not get wifi.

Happily, after many attempts, the stars aligned to actually do the hike in the Nacapule Canyon with intrepid fellow hiker Ken H.  Pictures to be downloaded; in the meantime here's a link:
http://www.whatsupsancarlos.com/nacapule-canyon-hike-canon-de-nacapule/
Looking forward to hearing about the hike details...stay tuned.

This event comes "Highly Recommended":  the annual 'melodrama' to raise funds for the Rescate services of San Carlos area.  Lots of fun, laughter and for a good cause.  Keep it in mind for next year if you are in San Carlos at this time.

Tomorrow (Saturday) is Departure Day.  The Captain is still sorting out his itinerary it seems.

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!