Gato Loco’s Baja Cruise Resumes

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By Lowell | June 4, 2013 | Category Baja 2013

Sorry it’s been a while since you’ve heard from us. Leg 4 crew left Gato Loco in Santa Rosalia and returned home a week ago where she will rest there until the Leg 7 crew travels to Santa Rosalia next Monday. Leg 4 gang had an awesome time sailing from Loreto to Santa Rosalia. See Liane’s comments below.

 

 

 

 

 

< Santa Rosalia airport, just a one room building where security live.

 

Gato Loco resting in the Fontur Marina Santa Rosalia

Liane’s comments.

Well I landed in Victoria with 52 degree weather and gray and rainy skies after departing Gato Loco. It’s hard to believe that less than a week ago I was sailing on the Sea of Cortez. It’s almost surreal – and wish I was now counting the days down for setting sail rather than putting days behind me upon return. Words cannot describe how grateful we are to have been given the opportunity to sail on Gato Loco. Bill was a superior captain. His expertise and attention to detail made us all feel completely safe and secure at sea and in every port. Thank you Carol for all the direction and patient guidance to us newbies in getting us acquainted with our tasks and responsibilities. We all took home great memories full of laughter. I loved learning to snorkel and there were many opportunities to explore the underwater world. Mike and Ruthann constantly had lines off the back. We caught three Yellow Tail, two of which were released. Mike let me reel in my first ever catch. We had a great Yellow Tail grill but longed for Lowell’s presence to prepare his delicious sushi recipe….

Above, Tres and Ruthane enjoy sunset

 

 

 

Fun  days on Leg 4

Carol’s bloody marys, a perfect start for the morning.

 

 

 

 

 

The generosity that we encountered on the Baja was amazing. A fellow pulled up and offered us a fresh catch and a lovely Mexican gentleman offered up the keys to his truck for a day excursion into Mulege (we had a cab coming so passed on the offer) wow another only in Mexico story……
I already miss my ‘coffin’ lovingly dubbed as we kept the cabin door closed to our quarters….to muffle sounds of snoring either from inside or out – I’ll never tell haha. Sleep came so easily in our cozy quarters when being rocked so gently each night in the arms of Gato. We seriously all slept like babies.
Long winded but had to say…..
Thank you Carol, Tres and Ruthann and always Mike for your company. And to Bill and owners – forever gratitude.
Love and Hugs,  Liane

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Leg 7

< Leg 1 crew wave good bye to Santa Rosalia

Leg 7 actually starts with this weekend’s Peacemaker concert. The crew, Paul Lettley, Owen Kelly, Murril Gash join me (Lowell) for the weekend party and then hop on a bus from Penasco to Hermosillo mid-day Sunday for an overnight layover then fly to Santa Rosalia early Monday morning. We will do some quick provisioning and head north into the my favorite northern Sea of Cortez. Phoenix weather is now in the 100’s which is the key to the seasonal wind shift in the Sea changing from north wind to predominately southern winds putting the wind at our backs making for a nice ride home to Penasco. We will be back in our Penasco home port by Sunday June 16th. More  news as it unfolds.

You might be wondering what happen to Leg 5 & 6? Leg 5 never materialized and the plan was to leave Gato Loco in Santa Rosalia for a week. Co-owner Rick Quant planned on exploring the area during leg 6 but recently lost his father which changed his plans (see below)

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Part the the Gato Loco Family passes

Co-owner Rick and long time fiend and sailing buddy Steve Quant’s father passed away recently. Their father Al was a major influence in Rick, Steve and my sailing  ambitions. Al sailed the Sea of Cortez with a home port of San Carlos in the 70’s & 80’s. He conveyed his great experiences exploring the Sea and always encouraged us to follow his love of the Sea. Our first time sailing the Loreto area was for my 40th birthday. Frankie worked the Al and Steve to plan a surprise Mooring sailing week. With Al’s help and planning we spent a wonderful week that set the stage for our goal to explore the Sea on our own. He took great pleasure in reading about our adventures over the past years and joined Rick & Steve back in 2003 sailing from La Paz to Loreto (Picture right). Steve emailed me relating his loving experience with Al in the final days, watching his pleasure and smiles as Steve read articles about recent cruises on the Sea. 

I’m very thankful to have known Al Quant

If you  would like to send your condolences here’s their address.

35 Sandia Heights Drive NE
Albuquerque, NM 87122

Until the next update.