Home	Ballena Bay YC Oktoberfest Cruise October 8-10, 2010, or ... The Day Islanders Went To The Dogs!

(If you like, you can skip down through the prose and go straight to the pictures below!)

Harry & Carol arrived with Pacific HIgh - but the big dog, was Bodie, better known as "Bo" for short, all 6 pounds soaking wet. Dan & Myphi arrived with Luna Sea. They were both directed to slips too narrow for an I-36, and then when they went where they were told -- were in some's slip and had to move at low tide with folks in the mud! But we digress.

It was perfect San Francisco October weather. Not too hot, not to cold - just right. No fog, no big wind, just right. Along came John & Nanci Melton with Freedom Won, but best of all, 4 month old Golden Retriever puppy Riley.

Finally, on Saturday, Rick & Sandy brought Vanishing Animal dockside with 13 year old grand dame Golden Retriever Teak aboard.

Then add Commodore Michele Williams & Matt, with their new child, 6 week old Basset Oliver joined up.

Arriving by land yacht were Pat & Gary Salvo of Ophira, Gary just off crutches and brace from an Achilles tendon repair. All of the above gathered on Pacific High starting at 1630 Saturday for nibbles and beverages to await the Ballena Bay YC Oktoberfest dinner at 1900.

Well, you may be able to understand a group of women fussing about a new baby brought into a group. Well, this was two new babies, one tiny older dog and everyone going ga-ga over the antics of the pack. Senior Teak took it all in stride, chilling on the dock until there was room aboard. But Riley and Bo had everyone in stitches for the better part of two hours.

Through a sad lack of communication, Art & Betsy Fowler, Zenith, and Tim & Rhonda Shea, Because, gathered at Ballena Bay YC around 1700 and enjoyed each other's company, but because all of the boats were tied to G Dock, well out of sight of the YC, they didn't know we were there and thought, maybe, something had been cancelled.

So, we had six boats represented, by 14 people, and 4 dogs in total.

As the sun set, we moved to the clubhouse and enjoyed a special member-cooked Oktoberfest dinner by the Ballena Bay YC team. And, in addition to their apple cobbler and ice cream, Michele had a delicious cake for "our Cruise Chair and my Mother". Everyone enjoyed, and then the dancing fun began.

First on the floor to polka music were Harry & Carol, with lots of cheerleading from the side. Then, one by one other brave couples took a turn. Tim & Rhonda did something ------ polka?

Some very game, and very good Ballena Bay folks filled the floor too. Carol awarded 1st prize to a Ballena Bay couple, Ray and Bonnie Jensen, and - supported by all watching - 2nd place to daughter/Commodore Michele & Matt!

It was a great, fun way to wrap up the cruises for the season.

See you all at the Fall Meeting.

Pictures, so far, by Rick Van Mell. Click on images to enlarge, click "Back" to return.

Welcome Islanders ...	Dan & Myphi ...	Smile!	John Melton ...	Harry Farrell ...
Michele & Oliver ...	Teak's not impressed	Riley isn't ...	really shy	Safe at home
Great afternoon ...	dockside with ...	Riley	Vanishing Animal ...	tucked in ...
great masts & ...	flags.	Freedom Won	Pacific High	Luna Sea
Club is right of tower	Harbor entrance	You again?	Bodie, "Bo" for short	Blue Angels contrail ...
Islander tails ...	Cormorant tail.	Nibbles time ...	wine for Bo?	Oliver too?
That's more like it.	I'll explore ...	Matt matches fur!	What are you?	I'm not here.
Yeah, who are you?	Who, me?	Old Glory flies	I'd like to ...	meet you ...
face to face ...	outa here!	Let's try again ...	not interested ...	but great show.
No Big Deal	Again?	Pat greets Riley	Now I'm awake.	BLue Angles watchers ...
life jacket count?	Now it's my turn ...	ah, better.	Time for dinner ...	as the sun ...
sinks ...	flags flutter ...	dusk & the ...	City by the Bay.	Ballena Bay YC Oktoberfest
John & Nanci ...	Pat & Gary (Sandy will kill me)	Pacific High cheers	Polka!	cheerleaders
Matt snaps	This brings ...	this!	1st Place Polka Ray and Bonnie Jensen	2nd Place Polka Michele & Matt

Return to Main Menu