Roger Clyne & the Peacemakers with Sonoran Resorts behind the new venue

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.

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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.

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Roger & Alisa on Gato Loco with Viva Racha anchored behind during break near Tucson Beach.

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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. Big Fun….!

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.

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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

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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 Rally

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Seawind crews.. John, Roy, Debi, Patsey, Lori, Kurt, Bill, Kerry, Mark and Frankie & Neely

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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.

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Leg 6 – May 17-24, Crew: Bill, and Brian & Heather Heffernan sailing in the Loreto area.

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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