Baja 09 Comes to a Close with lots of Great Memories
Gato Loco has been home for a week now after completing our 8 week journey on the Sea of Cortez. Lots of stories have been told as the Baja 09 crews gathered in Cholla with her return and the Peacemaker concert the first weekend of June. Concert weekend is always special with live music and big crowds in Cholla over 3 days. Bill brought the leg 8 crew back to Puerto Penasco Friday afternoon just in time for the festivities. He was the marathon man this year crewing on all 8 legs of Baja 09 and as you might guess very glad to step on shore and sleep in his own bed in Cholla. His last leg (8) was a special treat with his brother Dan making his first visit to the Sea of Cortez. Dan turned out to be quite a fisherman keeping Bill very busy cleaning fish. We have to thank Dan’s daughter Sydney for writing updates on their cruise north from San Carlos.
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Rick, one of Gato Loco co-owners, didn’t get to sail on Baja 09 was in town and brought Gato Loco to Cholla Bay for the Sunday afternoon concert. . . During the Baja 09 planning we thought there might be a bonus leg 9. Weather has been perfect for the past week as late season weather fronts bring wind and cool weather. A short overnight sail to Bird Island 26 kms SE of Cholla was planned on this past Tuesday with Viva Racha, Roger & Alisa’s sailboat.
Unfortuneley we woke to big winds and seas Tuesday morning and had to be satisfied with local day sailing to stay close in case we had to run for cover in Penasco harbor. . Roger & Alisa on Gato Loco with Viva Racha anchored behind during break near Tucson Beach. . Our day started with Gato Loco sailing out of Penasco harbor with sails set ready for 6 foot seas on our beam. Soon we were heading for Cholla at 9kts We set a new record arriving in Cholla 40 minutes later. We’ve never made it so fast and with so much excitement taking wave after wave soaking eager crew enjoying the ride on the front tramp. Dropping anchor in front to Tucson Beach protected by Pelican Point, we all decompressed from the exciting ride. Bruce, Cynthia & Frankie enjoy the easier sail back to Penasco. . Oh well, No leg 9 but a great day of day-sailing in our home waters. I guess this means Baja 09 is now memories. Some people say that opening their email each morning hoping for the next Gato Loco Update will not be the same. It seems that everybody enjoyed our chronicles and we must say we loved all the great comments from you adding some extra spice to our updates. In closing, Lets reflect back on the legs and crews that made it such a fun adventure again this year. Have a great summer! Until the next Update…… Lowell, Frankie & the Gato Loco Crew ___________________________Baja 09______________________________ Leg 1 April 11-19, Crew: Bill, Bruce & Cynthia Tegge, Clyde Betts sail from Puerto Penasco to San Carlos
. . . . . . . . . . _________________________________________________________ Leg 2 April 19-26, Crew: Lowell, Frankie, Neely, Bill, Victor & Leslie Rangel. San Carlos to Loreto.
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. . . . . . . . __________________________________________________________________ Leg 3 April 26-3, Crew:Bill, Lowell, Frankie, Neely, Kerry Fahey (AU). Seawind Rally to Loreto Fest
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. . . . . . . . Seawind crews.. John, Roy, Debi, Patsey, Lori, Kurt, Bill, Kerry, Mark and Frankie & Neely _______________________________________________________ Leg 4 May 3-10, Crew:Bill, Frankie ,Lowell, Neely, Chris Sanders & Kerry Fahey (AU). Sail the Loreto area
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. . . . . . . . . . . . . ________________________________________________________ Leg 5 May 10-17, Crew:Bill, Lisa Wendt, Sally Dalton & Marilyn Haney sailing the Loreto area.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ________________________________________________________ Leg 6 – May 17-24, Crew: Bill, and Brian & Heather Heffernan sailing in the Loreto area. . .
. . . . . . . . . . ________________________________________________________________ Leg 7 – May 24-31, Crew: Bill, Mike Clark, Liane Guathier, Mike & Gill Panasewicz sail back to San Carlos
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. . . . . . . . . __________________________________________________________ Leg 8 – May 31-?, Crew: Bill, brother Dan, nieces Sydney, Shelby, Sydney’s friend Chuck & Shelby’s friend Casey sailing San Carlos back to Puerto Penasco
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. . . . . . . . . . Adios Amigos Until the next Update Join us this summer at www.bajaimages/LowellsBlog |
A most sincere huge thank you to all the Gato Loco owners, Lowell/Frankie/Bill/Dave/Ellen and Rick for allowing me to fulfill a dream of mine. I cannot thank each of you enough for your generosity in sharing your awesome vessel. Captain Bill…..you are a wonderful friend and I truly thank you for all you taught me as a crew member. Lowell, you are a gem with all of your hard work you put into this website……….I appreciate you!
Will miss your blogs, especially the great photos, everyday, but I’m always relieved when you’re home in Cholla safe. What great memories you must have and thanks for sharing. I’m game for a day ride next time Mike and I get to Cholla!
Marilyn put it so perfectly!! Thank you all sooo much for creating a wonderful getaway! I know Baja and the Sea of Cortez are always there.. But to be so totally immersed in the whole life on Sea.. is amazing..Thank You Gato Loco!xoxo
Bruce and I thank you for the memories of sailing on Gato Loco. We enjoy crewing with Clyde for Bill, we’ve created a fantastic frendship because of our time spent together. Have a great summer, see you in the fall!! Let us know when you need company for another day sail. Thanks for the 40 minute cruise from the Penasco Harbor to Tucson Beach, but maybe next time we could take our time!! Until we meet again . . . . . .
Heather and I would also like to thank the gracious owners of Gato Loco for letting us be a part of the Baja cruise. We are all fortunate to have such great neighbors and friends to share the adventures with. I’m sure it won’t be long until Bill is ready to step on the boat for some day sailing!!
Thank you, thank you, thank you Gato Loco owners! I still can’t believe I was lucky enough to participate on the trip of a lifetime. I followed Gato Loco through Baja 08 with awe as well as ‘envy’. When it became evident that I and Mike were included for ’09 the countdown began. I LOVED every single minute of our week-long journey. Sad when it ended – but the memories and laughs will carry me thru until next year. Bill, you were an awesome Captain/Host/Tour Guide, and Lowell thanks for helping this Canuck feel connected even from way up north here.
Love and miss my Cholla Bay family,
Liane
Thanks for letting a landlubber Missourian take this cruise with all of you. The pictures were awesome whether it’s porpoise, por-pie or whatever. Glad everyone is home safe and hope to see Neely, Frankie and Lowell sometime this summer is Missouri. Until next year and the next blog, God bless.
A huge thank you to Bill, Frankie and Lowell and the rest of the Gato Loco owners for sharing your beautiful Gato Loco with so many friends. Our experience on the sea with you has made so many great memories for Leslie and I. I have never had the opportunity to see The Sea of Cortez as we did with you. You have sparked a desire in both of us to learn to sail so that one day we can sail on our own Seawind. Lowell, incredible job on keeping us all connected with the blog and most importantly “The Magic Jack”. Again thank you, you guy’s are the bomb!
We will miss you over the summer, Les and Vic
I, too, will miss the daily updates on all the adventures you experienced!!! It was 2nd best to being there. I loved reading each of them. Sorry they are over. Hope to see you soon in RP!!