Cruising The Cat’s Meow Style ~ April, May 2005
Loreto Fest
Hola from warm and sunny La
Paz, Baja California Sur ~ Thanks for visiting our Cruising, The
Cat’s Meow style website. There have been many changes at The Cat’s
Meow, mostly interior work with some paint put on the old girl’s hull, too.
Things have been changing and getting done quite quickly on the boat just in
the last week. It is difficult to write
about it, because tomorrow there will be more changes!! And, we want you to see
and read about the latest Loreto Fest, which we attended the very end of April
and beginning of May. Sooo, here goes:
Robin’s favorite view ~ from the grounds of the Loreto
Fest, Pto. Escondido
Let’s do the Loreto Fest,
first. About 10 years ago, some folks
who had boats and who lived most of the time in the harbor of Puerto Escondido,
a few miles outside of Loreto on the Baja peninsula coastline, decided to get
people together for a dual purpose: to have fun and to initiate a bay clean-up.
That small gathering has grown each year in size and in the number and kinds of
activities. Now, the Loreto Fest is well known within the Mexican cruising
community as a very fun way to get together with other boaters, and to give
something to the local Loreto communities. The Loreto Fest is organized by the
hard-working people of the Hidden Port (Puerto Escondido) Yacht Club. While the
boaters and some land-lubbers alike are having a great time, they are also
raising monies which are shared with the people of Loreto and of the smaller
surrounding communities. Children have been the primary target for the funds
that are raised and donated by the Hidden Port Yacht Club to a variety of
organizations, schools, and very needy families in the area. The people who
attend the Loreto Fest, mostly people cruising in Mexico on their boats, arrive
for a four-day fun-filled time. There are all types of activities, including
seminars on such topics as water makers and auto pilots, games, a dinghy race,
a kayak & dinghy parade, a short sailboat race, hot dogs and beer and sodas
all day and night, potlucks, spaghetti dinner, pancake breakfast…… and music
under the stars each night. What is not to enjoy??!
Since TCM is not quite ready
for cruising to Pto. Escondido, Martin caught a ride on Two Can Play, and Robin
drove the truck (with kitties) to the Fest site.
Martin was the committee
head for the horseshoe games again this year. He does a really great job of
making sure that everyone knows the tournament is strictly for fun and not a
highly competitive activity, and that everyone who plays gets to play at least
three games. All who played at
horseshoes had a great time, including people who had never thrown a shoe
before in their lives! And, Martin was on the winning team, paired up with
Lance of the sailing vessel Milagro. (Honest… all fair and square!!)
Robin divided her time at
the Fest between helping to sell T-shirts and burgees, and just having fun
seeing people we had not seen for about a year, meeting new cruisers, and
relaxing. Many questions were asked about the sinking and rescue of TCM….and it
was great to be able to tell those interested that she is coming along fine! It
does amaze us how many people are still talking about that event, almost one
year later……
We think that the Loreto
Fest was a hit, and that the folks who attended went away feeling good. Here
are some photos in an attempt to demonstrate what goes on during the Loreto
Fest:
Elvin and
Connie play on opposing teams at horseshoes
Mexican Train
dominoes and crafts tables Necklace made for the silent auction
Bartender Joe Serious chess
Dancers from Loreto
Cultural Center Dancing of another type…Rockin’ Robin
We were very fortunate to
stay with our friends Kenny and Nancy, of the SV Brandywine, at their
comfortable palapa home in the nearby community of Juncalito during and after
the Fest. Palapa homes are made-up of a
RV or 5th wheel that is covered with a palapa (frond roof
structure), and usually includes outdoor living quarters, sometimes an outdoor
shower, decks, etc. Kenny and Nancy even have a really cool hanging bed up on
their top deck, overlooking the cove of Juncalito!
Immediately after the Fest
ended, Martin had the opportunity to go out on the waters with Dennis and Susan
of the SV Two Can Play, to check-out and “tweak” his auto pilot program. It was
VERY helpful and we thank Dennis and Susan
for their assistance, time, and energy!
The Brandywine
Palapa home and Kenny Tweaking the SparePilot on Two Can Play
Toes and Squeak attended the
Loreto Fest along with us, but they stayed in the truck, under shade trees and
in Kenny’s covered parking area to keep cool. They are such great travelers! It
makes it easier for Robin, especially, to have her “kids” along when traveling
away from the boat.
Traveling
kitties
Read on for the latest in
The Cat’s Meow and her new look, and more
Cruising ~ The Cat’s
Meow style!