Gato Loco 2010-Leg 5, “The MexicanTrain”
.Gato Loco, Leg 5 2010…Captain Bill, Lisa Wendt, CJ Terracciano, Shirley & Owen Kelly…every leg needs a name…our leg became known as “The Mexican Train”…you can’t stop us, baby!
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.We left bright and early Friday morning for our road trip from Puerto Penasco to San Carlos, where we hopped on Gato Loco…look at these happy faces!
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.Our first stop in San Carlos HAD to be at The Soggy Peso Bar…we started off our adventure the only way we could, with margaritas, ceviche and tostadas de jaiba…mmmm, good!
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.”The Mexican Train Crew”…5 people can fit in a hammock, right? They can after several Soggy Peso margaritas…
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.Very cool bar…you should make a stop here on your next trip San Carlos…
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.As we began our Gato Loco adventure, the Space Shuttle took its last mission from the Space Station. In San Carlos we ate at a little Greek restaurant on the beach…they set up telescopes on the beach and we were able to watch the Space Shuttle move across the sky on its last mission before “retirement”…twas a pretty cool way to start our adventure…
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.The view of the marina in San Carlos at 6 am as we set sail to cross the Sea of Cortez to Santa Rosalia…a lovely morning, indeed!
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.The even lovelier Shirley enjoying her cup o joe…unfortuantely, we ran into some pretty nasty weather in our crossing…said coffee was lost at sea along with a certain firefighter’s previous dinner…I won’t name any names, but I’m just sayin’…
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.After about 8 hours of rough weather, things calmed down enough to relax…the boys don’t have a care in the world…
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.The first catch of the trip…the boys fished for quite a while, but all we caught was this bloody bonito…literally, they are a really bloody fish and not good to eat…next time, my friends, next time…
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.Our first stop at Santa Rosalia…the Kellys on our way up to shower at the marina…Shirley and I showered in the dark only find out later that the lights were outside…it’s always an adventure!
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.On our way to dinner, CJ had to stop off for a little snack…mmmm, Mexican street hot dogs…
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.Just another Mexican Train…choo choo!!!
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.The view of Santa Rosalia from the top of the hill in town…the town is extremely lovely and different from most Mexican towns…it was founded by the French in the 1800s and was a copper mining town. Most of the buildings are all wood siding and look like they could be in New Orleans…very unique!
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.The gang at the mining museum at the top of the hill…self timers rock!
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.This is the Hotel Frances, founded in 1886…of course there is a Mexican Train in front…the interior was gorgeous with hardwoods that looked like they were all orginial…awesome!
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.The interior courtyard of the hotel…
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.On our way back to the boat, our firefighter from el norte met up with the bombero from el sur…very nice guy explained that they don’t have any funding for the department so they are all volunteers…talk about dedication!
I hope you have enjoyed our first blog of Leg 5…I have taken over blogging duties on this leg from Lowell (this would be Lisa)…hopefully I will do it justice…we are currently on our way from Santa Rosalia to Isla San Marcos…hopefully we have internet again tomorrow near Mulege…we were supposed to get hit by a storm today, but we are making a run for our next anchorage since things have seemed to flatten out a bit. The weather is amazing…about 86 degrees and only 60% humidity…got our poles out again in anticipation of some dinner! This is Leg 5, The Mexican Train, signing off…hasta luego, amigos!!!
Captain Bill, Lisa, CJ, Shirley & Owen
Wonderful!! Thanks for all the photos.. sooo wonderful to relive places we’ve been to! All beautiful sights!!
Happy sailing little train.. “I think I can.. I think I can”.. have another shot!! ;))
Good job, Lisa!! Looks like a good time is being had by all! Can’t wait to hear details. Keep the margaritas going!! Stay safe!
Lisa: It was a wonderful blog. Makes me want to go there and become part of the train. Pictures are great and it’s so nice to see all of you and I can’t wait to have Doug join the crew on Leg 7. Be safe.
Great to hear from Leg 5! Beautiful pictures and the captions are great too! Keep on enjoying and making memories!
As I am sitting here in my office on a Sunday!!! I can’t stand it. I am sooo jealous but happy for all of you. It looks like so much fun (except for that fireman getting sick). Ha ha – just kidding but he is quite handsome. You guys have fun. I’ll just keep working. Boring!!
So good to see you are all having fun. Cant wait to hear all mi hermanas stories………
I am glad to see that you are having a good time. Mom wishes she was with you. Keep the stories coming.
Great job on the blog!! Hope you have smooth seas for the remainder of the trip.
Hey Gato Loco crew.. Nice to hear from you. Sounds like you had some good winds for crossing. Rough is usually good assuming it’s not too bad. How strong were the winds and how big were the waves??? Good test of your sea worthiness and sounds like you passed the test. Welcome to crossing club..
I would like to be able to contact you with Yahoo Messenger. You need to log out Messenger as Lowell McCulley and sign back in as Bill Hensler.. I can’t talk to myself on Yahoo.. 😀
Hope to hear from you again soon.
I emailed the Ins doc to Marina Real and ask them to give you a copy. I guess that didn’t happen. Will send doc to Santa Rosalia and Puerto Escondido..
Excellent job on the blog! I feel bad CJ & Shirley got sick…the worst feeling! I will pray to the weather Gods for you. Have fun. XOXOXO
Hey folks! C.J.’s baby sister & fam. here. Looks like ya’ll are having a great time-we are so jealous! It’s cool to be able to share it with you. Keep up the great blog & pics! Stay safe, have fun, drink lots & say cheese!!!! Take care of Uncle C.J. for us please!!
Forewarned is forearmed!!! I left the travel sick pills on Gato for you to use, not look at!! Swallow your pride, your machismo, and swallow a pill before weighing anchor, you will enjoy the ride much more. I was a puker from an early age, will avoid this feeling at any cost. Have a wonderful time, don’t forget to take my offering to Neptune if you go there. May the wind be at your back!
Great blog lisa…hope you have some smooth smooth sailing coming up and big big fish….hello to everyone! anita
Mike and I are here in Phx reliving your tour….I think you’re doing ours backwards. Way too wonderful – so glad you get to enjoy a Gato Loco Leg again. It was definately my trip of a lifetime last year. Love seeing all your smiling faces…keep up the pics.
Liane & Mike
Hey there on the Gato Loco! So good to see your smiling faces and hear of your adventures! It was great to see the Soggy Peso Bar again via your pix. I celebrated my 67th Birthday with daughter and son-in-law, Heather and Brian Heffernan at that very bar! They paid for all the margaritas and fish tacos I could eat and sang Happy Birthday to me. What a great way to celebrate my B-day. But then H and B are so fun to be with no matter what the circumstances.
Keep the white sails full on the Gato Loco!
Judy
Glad to hear you’re all still alive and well! Lisa, how is it that I’m not shocked that you took over the blog? 😉