Home	Half Moon Bay Cruise, Labor Day Weekend 2008

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

The Early Birds got the worm this time. Those that went out the Golden Gate and turned left during the week before Labor Day had a good time. The forecast at the end of the week, calling for gale force winds on Sunday/Monday, deterred three boats, but those that braved it got the luck of the draw when the winds turned out lighter than predicted. Six boats made the trip, and two more were represented by land yacht.

The Early birds included Dan Knox with Luna Sea, Smokey & Laurie Stover with Evanescence, Corky & Anna Stewart aboard Brigid, and John & Nanci Melton on Freedom Won. Also making the trip were Noble & Barbara Brown on Mai Pen Rai, and Rick Vulliet with his I-40 Paradesia and friend Pam. Bill Higdon, representing Blockbuster, drove down with TWO gals, a delightful mom and daughter duo, Betty Brolly & Beth McGlauflin. And, Sandy & Rick Van Mell drove down with Teak to account for Vanishing Animal.

Evanescence & Brigid started down a week early, but Evanescence had engine problems and turned back and Brigid followed them back to be sure they could sail into their marina OK. Luna Sea came down Monday the 25th. Smokey got things fixed by the middle of the week and came on down on Thursday. Evanescence, Brigid and Freedom Won were on moorings. Paradesia and Mai Pen Rai found slips in the inner harbor - the easier to pick up folks arriving by car and also explore the great shops at Pillar Point Harbor.

During the week, Brigid continued on down the coast to Santa Cruz and Monterey, and Luna Sea tried the same, but lost their engine when approaching Santa Cruz in the fog. They eventually sailed their way into the harbor, but are still waiting for a Yanmar dealer to deal with the engine. They rented a car to come back to HMB for the festivities. It was foggy most of the week, and Brigid spend 10 hours motoring back to HMB from Monterey in fog and no wind.

But, there were delightful reports of sighting whales, porpoises, sunfish, seals and even an albatross too. Weather on Saturday for the BBQ was as perfect as it can get. Tequila Sunrises seemed to the hit drink of the day. Don't know if John Melton started it, but both Laurie and Sandy, at least, enjoyed them.

Laurie took our 87 year old Honorary Member Bill Higdon up to the bar to buy him a drink. Bill wanted his usual - a martini - and by the time he finished telling martini tales and just how to make the perfect martini, the great gal behind the Half Moon Bay Yacht Club bar simply said, "It's on the house!" Bill. you charmer you!

Blue skies and gentle winds with lots of friendly folks from HMBYCmade for a simple but good burger or sausage BBQ dinner Saturday night for only $10 a head. The chocolate chip cookies and watermelon for dessert alone were worth the price! A special touch was a giant pot suspended over an open fire in a highly sculpted fire pit. The pot bubbled with a rich stew of meat, vegetables, beans and pasta. The HMBYC Commodore and family arrived in Pirate costume and added a special touch.

Sunday night it was potluck time aboard the boats, and Monday, for most, a nice sail back to the Bay.

Smokey sent along a few more pictures and comments: "Mike Tyron and a friend of his (?) sailed to HMB aboard Wind Lock and anchored. Their son lives on their old Islander, 36 Double D's, but Dale and Dina were aboard their recently purchased Hunter 46 Double Dharma. They are still alot of fun and are pictured as trying out new propulsion methods on their peddlecraft.

To add to the three boats that chose the side of caution, there were two triangular gale flags flying horizontally on the Pillar Point Harbormaster's office late on Saturday and into Sunday. Buoy reports came in off of Point Reyes and off the San Mateo coast with gale force winds and 13' swell. It did subside by Monday and allowed for a safe, but sometimes lumpy return and wind on the nose ranging from 5 to 20.

Smokey

PS - The cutest little seal was hanging around the inner harbor Tuesday morning. It jumped aboard the open stern of this Wiley Cat for a brief ride. It ended up overnighting inside a neighbors inflatable."

Once again the Islanders showed what a good time they can have.

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

Welcome to ...	HMBYC ...	fun place.	Evanescence & Brigid
Another raft.	"The dock"	Shore Transfer ...	with wet step.
Endless loop.	Noble & Laurie ...	with Corky & ...	Nanci & Beth ...
Hi John!	To lust for wine ...	is mighty fine ...	oh drat!!! ...
maybe later ...	right!!!	Dock talk ...	is fun ...
for everyone.	Bill gets a freebe!!!	I don't believe it!	Yep, ...
you charmer!	What about me?!	Pot of soup ...	simmers & ...
bubbles ...	double, trouble ...	boil & bubble!	Grill line ...
is smokey but ...	great fun!	Sunrise, or ...	sunset!!!
Happy eaters ...	great Smokey ...	Mai Pen Rai crew	Bill's babes.
Lovebirds.	New burgee.	Even Rick!!!	Commodore arrives ...
& family too.	Rick Vulliet ...	and Pam.	Going home.
Winter's wood.	Rick clicks.	Great Evening!	Double spinnaker
John's new dingy	Rider	Smiley	Wind Lock way out there

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