January 2019 in San Carlos

Glorious sunset over San Francisco Bay

Oops - it is already February 13th as I finally managed to upload pictures from my cell phone and tempermental camera to the Captain's laptop - just enough challenges each time to take the fun out of sitting down to do an update.  However, we have photos now convey how we are spending time in the relatively warmer climes of San Carlos, while family and friends are enduring frigid weather in Alberta and heavy masses of snow in Victoria.

What our house-sitter has to deal with (photo credit MLH)

Three weeks of January were spent in a more spacious, but less inviting rented casita near the San Carlos golf course.  The outstanding plumbing and electrical issues were finally addressed and we often enjoyed sitting by the pool under the large palapa, reading and sipping a beverage and discussing the day's progress.  A sweet semi-feral cat at times kept us company; she appeared to be attached to the complex and less timid than several other cats we spotted gathered by the dumpster outside the gate.  There are no shortage of 'events' to attend in this community, including the Rotary Club "Cow Plop Bingo" and volunteering for the 2nd annual Women's March against Violence.  That event coincided with the January 20th Super Blood Wolf Full Moon which had us staying up long past "cruisers' midnight" to admire and be awed by the incredible show.

Blood Full Moon with eclipse at start then almost complete

We were pleased to return to our earlier rental accommodations nearer the marina, in yet another of the six units, which has a spectacular view.  Of course, to complete the cycle, we were under the weather when we left and the "crud" was acting up again as we moved in.  However, waking up to inspiring sunrises or  flights of pelicans across the bay and sipping morning coffee with binoculars at the ready is a definite way to rest and recover.

Our morning panorama - a setting for variety of shore and sea birds 

A trip to the Sunday market in Empalme was long overdue.  When the weather cooperated at month end, we made the trek south of Guaymas.  The search for additional tropical shirts was challenging, but successful; fresh vegetables to complement those at the Saturday market in San Carlos were in abundance.  At last we located "the" place from which to buy shrimp at the entrance/exit to Empalme.  Half a kilo of the large azul camarones and half a kilo of the medium regular kind. We enjoyed showing Empalme to cruising friends Ann and Barry, who were readying S.V. Cat's Paw IV to cruise the Sea of Cortez, having completed their circumnavigation. Great to catch up with Bluewater Cruising Association members!  We rested up after our trek through the market stalls with delicious breakfast and lunch offerings at Cocina de Rita in the small community of San Jose de Guaymas.

View of village square and church in San Jose de Guaymas from Cocina de Rita

Camarones azul from Empalme

We do take time to be "tourists" as well.  After many years of construction, an impressive lookout on the way to Marina Real provides panoramic views to the far side of the Tetakawis and across to the south over the Sea of Cortez. 

View to the east of Tetakawis from Mirador Lookout

 

And at the marina seca??

Boat projects continued at various stages of progress throughout the month.  The Captain does intend to provide his commentary from a technical perspective as time permits.  He spent considerable time online searching for thru hull replacements, which did arrive in good time.  He then spent even more time arranging for the necessary marine grade sealant with which to install them.  The sealant is not available locally and cannot be shipped by air into Mexico.  By chance, a cruising friend had an Amazon Prime order being shipped to Tucson and we were able to add the sealant to his order.  In very reasonable time our small package arrived and the thru hull replacement could proceed.  Just one example of where the time goes when you undertake boat projects!

End of Year Musings - December 2018

Palapa and chilly pool - Villa Serena

Looks quite inviting - doesn't it?

We hope you all found special ways to celebrate Christmas 2018 or your chosen day and that it brought you peacefulness and "joy-filled-ness" and sharing and caring.  The INTREPID II crew found themselves moving yet again (3rd time) into new accommodations on the 24th, which didn't leave time for pre-Christmas musings and well wishes.  However, we too found ways to focus on the meaning of this time of year and connected with family and friends far and near.

For those who might not have received our shorter than usual "Christmas Note", our past weeks included a roller-coaster ride of enjoyment and challenges.  Writing now (from the perspective of early January) is somewhat anti-climactic, so we will offer more of a pictorial overview with a few comments, then hope to do more timely updates.

On the cheery, social side, we enjoyed chats with several of our condo neighbours and the ability to observe the shorebirds at close hand - pelicans, willets, sandpipers, herons, egrets and others. An evening presentation on the Birds of San Carlos by Mary Tannehill was enlightening. An invitation to a private home for an afternoon and evening of music and good food was a treat.

Music and camaraderie overlooking a fabulous view

From our abode we could walk to several spots for dinner and music - Captain's Club, Maria's, Tortuga's, Shots.  We shopped at Santa Rosa market, visited the Rescate Saturday market for veggies, tamales and chiles rellenos.

Christmas crafts on offer at the market

Castaway Kids Grand Opening with Susan, Omar and Mark - local musicians

Meeting up with cruising friends as we spotted each other on the street or in the works yard or marina brought us up to date with their particular plans, projects and challenges.  The Admiral was doing her best to fight off bronchitis - the San Carlos crud - as a birthday was on the horizon.  Fortunately, she managed to be 'up' for both a tasty dinner at Piccolo's and one at Sunset Grill on Algodones Beach the next day.  Both included friendly people we've come to know and share time with.

Sunset Grill

Back to boat issues. The determination of all the damages and required repairs to INTREPID II was ongoing and the Captain spent time with our surveyor, rigger, works yard crew along with regular visits to the nearby ferreteria for chisels, sandpaper, solvents, eye protectors and many items not to be found. Kelly handed the bottom painting project without the Admiral, who was decidedly under the weather. The thru-hulls were a major focus to ensure the leaks of last season were dealt with. 

Looking great with new bottom paint 

We scheduled a 'splash' date at the marina for December 18th, intending to continue working on projects in the water.  Initially all that was available was a spot on A Dock, with the over 40 foot boats, but that would get us a start.  Then B Dock had an opening and bright and early 7:00 am, INTREPID II was on the trailer and on to the marina boat launch.  Nothing major to keep us from motoring and docking, with helping hands, but disappointingly, our marina stay was short-lived.  By mid-afternoon, Kelly determined there were 'new' leaks - depth sounder among others, and some sea cocks were seeping, keeping the bilge pump busy.  Wednesday, December 19th was another early morning to slip the lines and reverse our short voyage, back to the launch ramp for a 7:00 am trip back to the works yard.  For the briefest of times, in the early dawn, we pretended we were heading out and away. 

Major sigh!  This complication meant we now had no place to call home shortly, as our stay at the lovely waterfront unit ended December 24th - no room at the Inn!.  We went in search of accommodations on short notice.  What seemed like serendipity in finding a reasonably priced casita in a small development near the works yard was a rushed decision we are living with.  Another series of lessons learned as the unit was in reality not ready to be rented, the owner lives in Hermosillo and the well meaning woman who showed us the unit was leaving on an extended vacation! Enough said.  (Two weeks later we are still waiting for plumbing and electrical issues to be dealt with.)

December 21st brought the Winter Solstice and a fabulous Full Moon and extremely high and low tides.  We finally caught up with friend Ken over dinner at Blackie's and enjoyed their always well prepared dinners.  December 23rd saw us packing and obtaining the keys for our new abode and December 24th moving the last luggage and bidding "adios" to Lucky and our Dorado friends. Christmas Eve and Christmas Day were bright spots in the midst of our boat challenges, as we attended a very friendly, gracious house party that evening, which included a rooftop vantage spot to watch the annual Boat Parade of Lights.  Christmas morning meant calls to family and friends or emails and opening a few 'treats'.  A quiet beach walk; attending the annual Community Christmas Lunch sponsored by Barracuda Bob's at the yacht club; driving to the Soggy Peso for Omar's Ukulele Concert in the afternoon and a visit to Lucky, the condo amigo we already were missing.

View of Tetakawis from yacht club Christmas Day - lots of mist and moisture in the air

Christmas afternoon - Soggy Peso Bar 

Omar and his ukulele concert

Lucky - the Condominios Dorado cat - our amigo

And so it goes!  Time to post this out of date update and seize the day.  We have had chilly nights in San Carlos and often strong, gusty winds.  Nothing like the winter storms, power outages and generally very unseasonable weather 'back home' of course.  Wishing everyone  well and hoping your New Year has started on a good note. 

A well deserved rest at the end of a challenging day

Tetakawis at dusk overlooking the dry storage yard - our new view