Fiesta time in Loreto
Friday April 29th
The San Juanico anchorage has all the boats facing north as we finish our shore duties at the cruiser tree. North winds are back up as we raise the main and shut motors down for another day of downwind sailing. Juanico is only 17 miles north of Loreto making another easy day of sailing. Swells are huge (5 – 6’) from the last 3 days of north winds. The new belt on the auto helm steering is getting a workout but able to handle the constant correction as we surf down swell hitting 8kts. Passing Isla Coranados there’s not a boat in the normally busy north anchorage. Passing through the channel islands gives us smooth water and lighter winds with Loreto in sight. We hope stay in the breakwater marina tonight to easily walk into Loreto for dinner. Rounding the south entrance to the marina a the slip is empty. We soon find out way there’s space. The price is pretty steep and I wouldn’t recommend staying at this price but we decided to stay for the convenience. We soon find It’s the day of the Dance Festival on the plaza and there’s hundreds of dancers all ages gathering as we enjoy drinks to celebrate the journey we’ve made to arrive in Loreto..
We introduced Jeffrey and Lynnie to the very special dinning experience in Loreto a few years back and they want to return. Sopia has a historic garden home sharing the Loreto Mission walls. She opens her home and serves authentic Mexican experiences cooking for you in her outdoor kitchen. The name of the home/restaurant is Fonda Canipole. She’s a wonderful lady making the dinner very special. Tonight is no exception.
Thank you Sopia for opening your home once again.
After dinner the Dance Festival is in full swing.
Lynnie and the whale shark. We didn’t see one heading south but have high hopes northbound.
Right, the Loreto marina is full of fishing charter boats. You can see Gato Loco’s mast in the background. Another beautiful evening in Loreto.
Saturday April 30th
Our last day on the water. A walk to a near by malecon restaurant for breakfast and then we head south 10 miles to Puerto Escondido where Gato Loco will rest for one week when we join our Seawind friends for the Rally.
A call to Moon Drifter (Ralph & Helen) on the VHF and we get both Moon Drifter and Stray Cat who are anchored together on the east side of Isla Carmen east of us. They’re both doing well and will enjoy Loreto Fest this coming week and then looking forward to the Rally. I also raised Sunlover Coni to get the latest news in Escondido. She suggests we contact Javier at the Puerto Escondido marina to leave Gato Loco safely in a slip instead of a mooring ball. Networking in the cruising community is always a good experience. As you can see we made arrangements for a slip with Javier who stopped by later for our last Moscow Mule of leg1. He will try to find Ginger Beer in Loreto so we can share during the Rally. I would recommend this marina and Javier is great to work with. There’s lots of construction along the marina channel entrance. There will be homes with docks on the channel soon.
I’m finishing this blog setting back in my Cholla Bay home after Coni fetching us to the airport (thank you Coni) flying a puddle jumper (Aero Calafia) to Hermosillo and then a Albatross bus back to Penasco. It’s a long day meet by Bill at the bus station to get us back to Cholla. There nothing but awesome memories of the Leg 1 journey. Thanks so much to Jeffrey and Lynnie for sharing the journey. They are excellent crew who took very good care of the Capitan. I can’t thank you enough.
We will return to Gato Loco next Sunday to begin the Rally..
Until the next Update
Goodbye Baja
Jeffrey and Lynne,
Wow it looks great down there. All the festivities, good food, and wonderful scenery.
What an amazing journey! Loved living it all through your great photos and commentaries.
Lowell, Frankie, Dave, Helen, Bill and Rick; Thank you once again for another incredible experience aboard the Gata Loco. We hope the rest of the trip is just as special – great weather, blue water, beautiful nights, active wildlife and full sails.