(If we've missed someone above, please let us know: Rick Van Mell)

Of course, arriving is just the beginning. And your Islander Fleet is really fine at turning arrivals into friendship and a celebration of life. The easiest measure is that anyone who walks down the docks if almost automatically invited to join the festivities.

As usual, the first dockside of the year is a great time to catch up with friends old and new. It's also not surprising that some nibbles appear, and some libations to wash them down. As we often do, over half the Friday arrivals wandered up to the deck to partake of an Encinal bar beverage -- even Teak snuggled down with the table full in the shade to take advantage of the very light, slightly cooling wind.

Back down on the dock about 1730 and thanks to tables provided by EYC, the first serious nibbles were spread and cooking started in various galleys. The magnetism drew the whole gang alongside Woodbine (what great cooks they are!) and lots of dishes rivaled Karen & Ron's traditional goodies. Perhaps the highlight was Corky's Spam Musuabi with a teriyaki sauce that topped the unique list. But it was a close contest with the nibbles, chili, several salads, and the cake Anna brought to celebrate Corky's birthday!

Lingering twilight toward 2000 provided our "Good night Friday" picture as we eased back to our respective boats to sleep in and recharge for Saturday's fun.

Saturday morning - up until lunch - is a perfect time to do those "I've put it off," projects. Gary had his, Rick was greasing turnbuckles, and so it went around the fleet. Charles & Kathryn had it all together with our BBQ starting at 1300 and we swarmed the pool and hot BBQ coals to cook our own burgers, chick and (a few) dogs. EYC provided great sides and all the fixins' for whatever we cooked. Then we all settled down at the far end of the pool, under the shade of the umbrellas, ate lunch, and caught up -- including those that started arriving by car -- into the afternoon.

I think it was way back when Harry Farrell (or maybe someone else) won the 'Best Punch' at Petaluma, but Ruby Wallis of White Horses took the cake this weekend! I'm not sure what exactly to call it, but a Vodka Martini, with either pineapple or mango flavors, will probably do -- it sure tasted great and oh so smooth!

But nothing will keep the Islander Fleet from rushing the door at the Svendsen's Discount Night! There were enough "Land Yachts" to ferry all over to Svendsen's -- and in fact we got there EARLY! So, after hanging out for about 6 minutes (yes, we've got some racers in the crowd), we piled in and started buying.

It's really a very special thing that Svendsen's does for us and the whole Islander Association appreciates the great discounts that Svendsen's offers un on this special night.
It was a little after 1900 when we got back to the Encinal docks, but there was no doubt that the focus was now on, "Where's the Ice Cream?!" True to form, Charles & Kathryn Hodgkins pulled from their bilge (er...maybe the fridge?) ambrosia of Vanilla, Strawberry, and Chocolate (with Brownies, no less). It was own wonderful way to end the day!

So we all drifted, early off to dreamland.

Though the weather forecast had blared Gale Warnings for the better part of a week, Sunday dawned as nice as you could ask.

Rick had offered pancakes for breakfast, and Vice Commodore John Melton arrive 30 minutes early to be sure to get in line! It was one of those delightful cruising mornings when the sun was bright, the wind was light, and everyone was happy. Rick did his best to pour batter onto the grill, seed them with blueberries, and try to turn them as they got dark. But, as many of you probably know, alcohol stoves are slow on the uptake. Yet, no one went home hungry, and there were even thirds for those that wanted them. It was a fun way to kick off Sunday morning.

An informant target was 1000 hours to get the fleet under way. During breakfast, it looked like we could just exit the docks and turn left onto a reach out the Estuary. But by the time we actually left, the wind was mostly on the nose and we powered our way back into the big Bay.

It was another great I-36 weekend -- come join us some time.

Pictures by Charles Hodgkins, Ron & Karen Damsen, Dan Knox, Captain Zen & Rick Van Mell. Click on images to enlarge, click "Back" to return.

Hunters Point ...	SF 7 miles away	Lots of tankers ...	double + blimp ...	City wide
Full view ...	Bay Bridge ...	another fuel provider	Not my name choice!	Rusty bucket?
Estuary row ...	container city.	Jack London Square	Marina Villiage	Dockside
Snowflower	Woodbine	Kindred Spirits	Ophira	Vanishing Animal
85 degrees!	Welcome Mischief	Deck crowd	Chopped liver??!!!!!	Luna Sea arrives ...
waiting ...	heading in ...	line across ...	getting close ...	OMG!
safe alongside.	STROKE!	Nibbles time	Good eats	Sun break
Looking good	Relaxed	me too!	Corky's Spam Musuabi	Happy Ron & Karen
Happy talk	MORE FOOD!	Armada at rest ...	left flank ...	Admiral Teak
Captain Dan	(Almost) Dead soldiers	Dan & Pat ...	Pat & Gary!	Rick & Kathryn
Table's still full	The boys	Happy BD Corky!	Sun break ...	lights up dinner ...
Kindred Spirits ...	and Islander eaters ...	even topside.	a little breeze	Islander 34!
fading fast ...	deer in the headlights ...	just cruisin' ...	happy girls!	Good night Friday.
Quiet morning	Natural High	Morning chat	On watch	Anna & John smile
Lunch ticket takers	Chow time	Flippin' good	All the fixins ...	fresh & ready ...
buns & beans too	Dennis is happy	Karen tests	Dan, Sandy, Roger & Linda	Dennis, Judy, Gary, Anna, Corky & Pat
Ron, Karen, Scott, Nancy & Skipper	Nice welcome	Sandy & Betsy	Pat, Mary & Dan	Ruby & Linda
Rob & Roger	Gentle breeze ...	real pretty	Ruby's delight	Model racers ...
good start ...	close hauled ...	splitting tacks.	Great afternoon	We're early ...
so !	Waiting around ...	hanging out ...	well hung ...	classic!
Let's shop!	Dennis is in	Heavy thinking	Should I?	That much?!
Ringing up the gold	You don't say!	Late light	Passing Islander	Comfort time
Winding down ...	wrapping up ...	Ruby's next round ...	Cheers!	Rear View ...
side view ...	Rick clicks	fan club.	Ice Cream ...	3 flavors & brownies ...
taste great!	Where's mine?	Sunrise Sunday ...	flags fly.	What are you doing?
Making pancakes ...	(hidden John) ...	on the alcohol stove ...	breakfast for 12!	Long run
Woodbine heads home ..	ditto Vanishing Animal	Ophira is smokin ...	dead on ...	morning glory!
Puffins away!