Originally posted by Pompano
2010 Road Trip Continued ...from Devil's Tower, Wyoming.
JOHNNY TEQUILA AND CINDY'S - SOUTHEAST UTAH
While researching our route south for interesting and/or unusual places, I see that we have a golden opportunity to visit some old and dear Baja
amigos. "Johnny Tequila and Cindy."
Probably a few of you Baja vets will remember this nice couple? We met sometime around 1986. They lived for many years aboard thier trimaran,
Quetzal, sailed all around the Baja coasts, but most often anchored it within the Bay of Conception and in front of mi casa at
Coyote. For some time ashore, JT also built a primitive, but very cozy camp, (Rcho Lonesome Dove), on some leased acreage
in a desert arroyo near the old Posada airport south of Mulege. We had some fine times at Lonesome Dove back then.
Johnny plays a great guitar, is a songwriter, and sang many nights around my patio firepit at Coyote Bay. He would talk to a newcomer to my
firenights..and then come up with a personal ballad about that person. Always a hit and always amazed the recipients.
He has many other talents..including chiropractor, carpenter, and chew-the-fat master. Also one of us characters who try to be self-sufficient..and
who can "build a shopping center out of a Q-tip." (remember that quote from a certain Harrison Ford movie?..now tell me which movie?)
Cindy is/was an RN nurse who went to further studies in the medical field. But much more than that, she was a great help to all who needed her in
Baja. A delightful and welcome hostess-in-waiting for a lot of my early bachelor parties at Coyote Bay.
An interesting anecdote that Cindy will not mind if I share with you:
A long time ago, my father came to visit me at Coyote, and during the course of his stay I took him for a boat ride around Conception Bay. I decided
to stop by mi amigos, JT & Cindy, for coffee. Like me, Dad was an avid coffee drinker at all times of the day.
Well, JT & Cindy had anchored Quetzal behind one of our Coyote islands..for privacy, as they often went
au natural..nude.
It was my fault...I knew that JT and Cindy would be nude..as they always were when on the boat and to themselves. A lot of boaters do the same..fewer
clothing makes for fewer trips to the laundromat. It was a normal thing for us Baja characters...but not this time!
The thing is ..my father is/was a little old school, and an unknown nudie, good-looking as she was, would be awkward for him to handle. Not against
it, just not his usual experience.
Well, I came around the corner and pulled up alongside the Quetzal to have that coffee and introduce Dad to JT & Cindy.
JT is a quick study, saw my father was with me..and was on the other side of the boat by this time putting on a loin-cloth..but poor Cindy was right
there..and was taken by surprise and had no time to get dressed, as she had to grab my boat's gunnels to hold it in place and not rub the
catamaran..completely nude and kneeling right in front of my Dad's face with a knowing grin on her face.
Well...My father got one glimpse of a charm that is usually clothed and hidden from public view..and quickly turned and looked steadily out to sea.
I grinned and said, "Dad, I'd like to introduce to my friend, Cindy. Cindy, this is my father, Clarence."
"Hi, glad to meet you, Mr. ______...Clarence."
My dad stuck his hand out blindly behind him and said, "My pleasure, Cindy..believe me."
I had to bite my lip to keep from roaring.
They became fast amigos after that hilarious intro..and JT/Cindy and Dad laughed a bunch in the remaining days when they took Dad sailing. Good
times, good friends.
After many enjoyable years in Baja, JT & Cindy finally sold thier boathome, Quetzal, and moved back to the USA, finding a nice home in SE Utah
about 6 years ago. The improvements JT made at Rcho Lonesome Dove, Baja were donated back to the landowner, Manuel Diaz. The only thing they
kept..was the name..which they gave to thier new home in the USA.
This area of Utah is very quiet and peaceful...with lots of BLM land surrounding the little village of 15 people. 15 people? Yup..and a few
trains rumbling by.
JT/Cindy's home in SE Utah. JT is not a 'normal' guy. The place he picks for a home has to have trains, a 100 yr-old barn, & wooden fences, and
a vintage fire truck.
JT always wanted to be a fireman..and now he is the Town Fire Chief (crew of 1) For that honor, he gets to restore the old firetruck.
JT and Cindy greet us at thier Utah home. (They had no choice as thier house is on a dead end road.) And Johnny is amused as
Co-Pilot trys backing up the boat trailer...turning too sharp..and jack-knifes. A hilarious moment as I frantically try to
signal her to stop...sigh. Certain drivers are only meant for forward travel.
Old casa photo of JT and crew in kitchen - Coyote 1989 or so? A lot younger Johnny is far right. Others present are the famous Jean Pierre, a French
Algerian and true Baja character. He was called Pico de Oro or some such name, and briefly ran the old Hacienda cantina, Casablanca. {The same
place that Pierce (infamous nomad Palmetto) ran later as the Pelican Reef Cafe.} Chantelle, Pier's neice from Paris, Chuck Riley, our resident
Irishman (ex-Air America), and other Baja characters of old.
Old photo - Flapjack-Off Contest at Playa Escondido. JT is on van roof presenting me with a prize for 1st Place. I made my mother's recipe:
Icelandic crepes. Ahem...so light they all floated away...honest.
Old photo - beach launching tin boat at Agua Verde - 1988 We had some real fun going up and down that old canyon ridgetrail. I drove my old
Minnie-Winnie down that suicide grade. Fishing/diving was good, though.
Old photo - a few parties at mi casa con amigos. Johnny Tequila singing an playing his guitar, of course. Nasty Nettie, Bordeaux Betty, etc..we
all got nicknames back in the day. And we all had fun helping Bob and Evelyn build thier dream home in the Mulege river valley...gulp!
Old photo - JT's Quetzal takes on water when rudder breaks off during a freak windstorm (chubasco) at Playa Escondido.
Back to the present, JT and Noche are in the living room. I intoduced this wonderful dog to them as a puppy while we were all on a camping trip to a
remote beach north of La Paz about 12 years ago. The poor little gal came up to my campfire one night..hiding from the coyotes who had eaten her
mother...and were now searching for her. Your're quite the survivor, Noche.
Cindy puts her feet up after a long workday and commute..opps, that's Dr. Cindy now. RN turned MD...she studied/worked hard and is
now practicing.
Co-Pilot comments on menu for dinner.."Ah..Italian pasta with tomato? But Cindy, I must tell you I am from Milano.
Northern Italians do not use tomato sauce. We seldom eat pasta..and when we do we use a different kind of pasta without a red sauce..or rice.
But...many thanks for the kind thought."
(Note to self: Remember to throw away all the Prego & Ragu sauces at mi casa.)
Co-Pilot feeds Mac, the house hound...
TO BE CONTINUED...unless I am banned...or meet a naked boat lady.
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