The fun began around 1100 Friday, June 29th when Freedom Won, Luna Sea, Woodbine, Snowflower and Captain Hooke departed Southampton Shoal for Vallejo Yacht Club. A typical power reach made for an easy sail, and Vallejo YC put on quite a spread for dinner. Beautiful, generous steaks and salmon were waiting to go on the grill. Dinner was enhanced by their band with none other than our own Tom Newton playing guitar - he sang for his supper -and bar tab too! Life was so good, they could sleep in all Saturday morning, lock in by a minus tide until afternoon.

The second band of five boats repeated the ride from Southampton Shoal up San Pablo Bay at 1100 Saturday morning. This group included Vanishing Animal, Brigid, Ophira, Gypsy and Andiamo. Again it was a fast ride with plenty of wind and a strong flood current pushing them up to Vallejo in just about two hours.

But before the Saturday group got to Vallejo, channel 72 was alive with the Friday group casting off, passing through the Mare Island bridge, and heading up the Napa River about 1300. In this digital age, cameras clicked every time the bridge went up.

With the Saturday group now about an hour behind the Friday group, the Mare Island bridge got some good exercise. Vanishing Animal led the second group up river using GPS and a computer to hit the deep spots and kept everyone afloat.

Radio was again the key to tucking all ten boats into the narrow channel to the cul de sac pool in front of Tim & Rhonda's house. With dinghies and patience all ten boats were slipped into position. It didn't take long for the crowd to gather on the deck for an afternoon potluck with the usual great taste and copious quantities Islanders are known for. The BBQ saw steaks and chicken and meatballs come and go. There was a big pot of stew too. Even the pool and hot tub got visitors as the evening darkened into twilight. After lots of wind and sun and fun, most everyone hit their bunks by 2200.

Even though we had all Sunday before us, Rhonda & Tim had breakfast makings piled high by 0830. What did you want? The three kinds of bagels and cream cheese were on one table. Coffee and orange juice nearby. Croissants and butter? Next table. Eggs, bacon & sausage? Just look for Tim back at the BBQ. And the fruit was great too. Too bad we almost starved!

Tim ferried many into Napa for a look around. Pat Slavo got the mast-climber award, going up Ophira's mast to install a new wind vane, and up Brigid's mast to check out a light. Rick spent much of the day sorting though what turned out to be over 450 pictures from eight cameras! At this writing, this page has 377 pictures, each with three files on the web host (an 800 x 600 image, a thumbnail, and a tiny HTML page to display them), which totals 1,131 files uploaded to produce this page.

Tim & Rhonda invited their neighbors over to see the boats and join in Tim's great BBQ pizza. Tim acquired this skill in a cooking class he and a couple of neighbors took, and has perfected it ever since. Toppings included ham & pineapple, sun-dried tomatoes, pepperoni, black olives, sausage, and lots of cheese (and I think we've missed a few too!) Another round of hearty hors de oeuvres and a Glorious 4th sheet cake filled any nooks and crannies that remained. All this washed down with ample supplies of wine and Corky Stewart's signature Rum Punch. Adults, kids and dogs were happy campers.

The evening closed with a special chocolate presentation by neighbors Annette & Maj Ysiardi who have a chocolate business. Not only were the individual chocolates perfection, the chocolate port and ice cream which followed was the absolute best! Many thanks Annette!

It was a good thing we had to wait through a minus tide again on Monday morning. But there were still those bagels, croissants and even some pizza pieces to go with coffee and juice to tide us over (excuse the pun.)

Promptly at 1300 we unbundled the raft, getting anchors pulled and assembled in the basin next to the river. Then, with Snowflower leading the way and nine Islanders streaming their flags, we paraded down the Napa River. (I had departed Sunday direct to Pittsburgh as work called for Monday and Tuesday.) When we got to the Mare Island bridge, we had bunched up enough that the bridge tender had the bridge up and we all steamed through at cruising speed!

Safely back into deep water, some sailed out Mare Island Strait and turned to port for the short three miles up the Carquinez Strait to Benicia. By about 1800 Freedom Won, Vanishing Animal, Ophira, Brigid, Gypsy, Snowflower and Woodbine were tied to E Dock, and Andiamo was in a friend's slip.

It was an easy walk to Captain Blythers where Corky has arranged a 1915 seating for 12 upstairs, next to a similar table of sailors from Berkeley YC. the food was great, and, after we got some windows open, quite pleasant. As the sun dipped behind the hills of Carquinez Strait, the shades were raised on the big picture windows and the view was magnificent.

Tuesday's low tide again dictated timing. Ophira, Vanishing Animal, Gypsy and Andiamo departed shortly after 0600 to have enough water to get out and catch the ebb back down San Pablo Bay. Snowflower and Freedom Won were trapped in the mud at the dock until almost noon before heading on up the river to Pittsburg with Brigid and Woodbine. The four of them arrived at Pittsburg around 1500, and joined up with Luna Sea who had come up on Sunday.

All enjoyed and appreciated the hospitality of the Pittsburgh YC bar before heading out to dinner at the Mecca Cafe. All claimed the food was terrific, but take a look at one of the last pictures way down below and you can see why there might have been some hesitation!

Wednesday morning Bonnie had arranged a special tour of the Pittsburg Historical Museum. This is a real gem that has nooks and crannies overing a whole city block. when you first enter, it seems small and simple, but as each room leads to the next a new chapter is revealed. Much like it's eastern counterpart, Pittsburg grew up around steel, and fed by Italian cooks and fishermen. During WW I and WW II it hummed in support of Port Chicago and the more than 2,000,000 soldiers embarking for the fronts along the river. There are rooms for schools, bands, doctors, the post Office and even a bar and poker table where story tells that Jack London took more than a few sips. Thanks Bonnie for a great tour!!

Pictures by Dan Knox, Bonnie Aiello, Ron & Karen Damsen, Ruth Peritz, Pat Salvo, Barbara Henderson, Skipper Wall and Rick Van Mell. Click on images to enlarge, click "Back" to return.

Freedom Won ...	gives us a ...	demonstration of ...	great sailing ...
across the windy ...	San Baplo Bay ...	on the way to ...	Mare Island straits ...
wher, this time, ...	it's calmer ...	and easy going.	The home stretch on Friday ...
is bright and sunny ...	with industrial digs ...	and fun old ...	tugs.
It's easy sailing,	the two miles ...	have oldies ...	and an approaching ...
big cat.	Tucked in at Vellajo ...	it's time for ...	Don Henderson ...
and Nanci & Karen ...	to check things out.	Nice bimini!	John ...
stops by.	Karen peeks over solar.	Friday goodies,	Happy Don!
And John.	Crisp evening,	good friends.	Evening at Vallejo ...
followed by dinner ...	and the band with ...	our own Tom Newton!	Full table ...
both ways.	Barb Henderson.	Outside view.	Sunset approaching ...
good time to ...	cool off and ...	look around.	The band sings on.
Ophira starts Saturday's ...	happy ride up.	Foggy, blurry Gate!	The dog watch?
Pleican fly-by.	Andiamo in light air.	Meanwhile, morning at Vellejo ...	has the Friday bunch ...
getting ready ...	to cast off ...	and start the run ...	up the Napa river.
But first,	they gather and ...	have all together to ...	request a ...
bridge opening.	High enough yet?	Here they come ...	can they all ...
squeeze through ...	in a bunch?	Close aboard ...	but all make it ...
ready for anything ...	Magestic.	No, not more boats ...	more photographers!
If you didn't ...	get in a picture ...	you know who ...	to talk too!
What - still more?	OK, we're through ...	and all smiles.	Captain Hooke flies her flag.
OK, just in case ...	you missed ...	the trip through ...	here it is again ...
and again ...	through.	Picking up were we were ...	they head for Napa.
Easy going at first ...	even some sailing ...	straight wake.	Stretched out ...
but in line.	It's 12.8 miles ...	so let's keep going.	But can't sail all the way.
Picture time.	Looks wide, but not deep!	Careful navigation.	Two hours back, Andiamo ...
paces the Saturday fleet.	Vanishing Animal is ready ...	to call for bridge opening ...	with help from Teak.
Who me?	Last 5 gather ...	into a tight group ...	for their run ...
at that ...	damn bridge!	Friday's group is ...	pushing up the ...
river past ...	wooded shores ...	and open fields ...	(and power lines) ...
and sloughs ...	to the midway ...	bridge!	Sure glad ...
there is no ...	train ...	approaching!	Bye bridge ...
about 6 miles to go.	Bonnie's at the helm ...	and all smiles.	Dan relaxes ...
as scenery goes by ...	and round the bend ...	is another bridge!	Safely astern ...
it's the last part of the ...	river run.	Enjoy the greenery ...	and hills ...
(ignore the pipe mill) ...	Approaching "civilization" ...	which one is Tim's?	Not on this side ...
or here ...	getting close ...	turning into the ...	entrance basin.
Woodbine	Snowflower checks out the ...	Captain Hooke	Freedom Won
Bonnie's camera is ready ...	to capture ...	houses and ...	people and ...
docks ...	take your pick ...	either side ...	headed for the Shea's ...
Dan goes slow ...	almost there ... (We'll be back after, a break!)	Seven miles back ...	Saturday's armada ...
steams up past ...	the 2002 rendezvous ...	marina ...	and the open fields ...
past the last bridge.	But the Friday group ...	is already stacking up ...	at Tim & Rhonda's ...
80 foot dock ...	where many hands ...	make docking ...	easy.
Gypsy is ...	the last boat ...	to get tucked in.	Skipper knows how to relax.
Let the fun begin ...	patio time ...	and pool time ...	Now let's see...
Great raft!	Checking lines ...	flying flags ...	Welcome!
Tim welcomes all.	Looks good.	Stepping stone ashore.	A shady spot.
Guarding the goodies???	Going fast.	A cool spot.	Good pour.
Dockside chat.	Inspection.	All are tied ...	shipshape and ...
Bristol fashion.	Around the corner ...	makes ten.	Vanishing Animal & ...
Luna Sea	Well framed.	Getting plugged in.	Ian & Mom Rhonda ...
cool it.	Water taxi.	What's for me?	Nectare of the Gods.
Food for the (Gods?)	More arrives ...	hot stuff ...	Cool breeze.
flags fly.	This is the ...	picture postcard ...	section ...
with reflections ...	and dinner on the deck ...	all happy.	Bow on.
that's all.	Yes?	Mellow time ...	good eats ...
good talk ...	and lots left over!	Sipping time.	Happy Tim.
Jim, Ron & Gary.	Corky & Anna mellow.	Twilight ...	walk time ...
well framed ...	and almost ...	sunset.	First light Sunday ...
no breeze ...	no motion (yet) ...	pool toys wait ...	for Ron!
Ideal morning	to check things out.	Waking up ...	for a really ...
pretty morning ...	for pictures and ...	masts.	Isn't it about time ...
for someone to ...	talk about ...	juice & coffee and ...	breakfast!
Tim & Corky cook ...	all enjoy.	Yes, I'll chow down!	Freedom won's new ...
LPG supply ...	and rack with ...	valve & solonoid ...	for new stove with ...
oven & broiler ...	and valve control.	Sandy & Rick relax.	Time for Pat ...
to go aloft ...	with lots of help ...	to set the new ...	wind instrument.
How's the view?	Hard at work.	Teak's not impressed.	Friends gather ...
for Tim's famous ...	White Glove, ...	high flying ...	griled pizza.
Good toppings!	Everyone's ready ...	for good eats ...	here it comes ...
ready to serve ...	and add more.	Art & Jim	Bench sitters
Yum-O!	Tim gets a hug	Cool pool	Smiley
Tim's Napa bus	Rick's rollin' in dough	Little helper	Do it this way ...
Chocolate team	Taste test	Come & get it!	Nibbles
Rhonda's busy ...	serving	Thanks!	What a team.
Dancin' for joy	Chocolate presentation	with an attentive ...	audience that ...
is also hungry!	Very good	More?	Sure!
Picking guide	Little helper	One more round	Happy campers
Annette rocks!	Just order more!	Rapt attention	More mom?
Thanks!	Fireside	Ice cream & chocolate port	dipping good
Me too	None for Teak	Foodies ...	all lined up
Dividends	all around	One more scoop	Really good
OK - enough!	Night cap	Mellow	Thanks Tim!!!!
Leaving Napa ...	the parade ...	looks good ...	heading for ...
that old familiar ...	bridge again.	Captain Hooke is ...	bounding down ...
the river.	Andiamo says, "HI"	Tucked in Benicia ...	looking good ...
from ...	bows to ...	flags.	Ophira & ...
Vanishing Animal	Gary's winetime ...	Anna's ready too.	Ditto Karen & ...
Nancy.	Destination reached!	Great clubhouse.	The fleet is in ...
Brigid & Freedom Won	Luna Sea & Snowflower	Happy Ron	Dream time!
Pittsburg Museum tells ...	of great times ...	ready for your call ...	or car of choice ...
frequent visitor ...	our guide tells all ...	from lawful to ...	awful - Jack London may have sat here.
Strike up the band ...	for Steel City!	26 years on the job.	Where's the cook?!
Thanks Bonnie!!!