The Thursday fleet included Evanescence, Woodbine, Luna Sea, Freedom Won, Snowflower and Vino del Mar. Their destination was Vallejo for a casual potluck. While the fleet was there, Commodore Damsen & Smokey presented Vallejo Yacht Club a donation of $200 to support their junior program. Here's a link to the letter of recommendation that Smokey wrote: Recommendation. This is a new tradition started this year as a way for the Association to support clubs that regularly host Islander events. On Friday, the boats waited until about 1300 for the time to come in before starting on the 13 mile run up the Napa river to Tim's house.

Friday's flotilla also had a great ride. Broad reaching with 13 - 15 knots pushed the gang along under sunny skies. Though the sailing was a bit slow at times, riding the flood helped the speed over the bottom. When they got to Vallejo, they were close behind the Thursday group.

Boats started arriving at Tim's about 1445, with Freedom Won first boat in and starting the raft. With her anchor set against the wind, and her stern square at the inner end of the dock, we were ready for more boats. One by one the rest of the fleet was hailed on VHF to start down the narrow channel. Most boats were instructed to have fenders to port with an additional fender over the stern. As they approached, the drill was to come along the dock and swing the bow out toward the bow of the boat already in place. The bow line was thrown to a person on the bow of the boat already secure, while the stern line was thrown to a second person on the dock. The stern line was used to swing the boat alongside the raft while the bow person let out line until the boats were parallel. As soon as one tied, we were ready for the next one. Within an hour we had everyone safe and secure.

The kids, and Dan Knox headed for the pool, and Teak, the retriever, couldn't resist and joined with a splash. Plates of nibbles soon trimmed the fire pit ring, and wine and soft drinks chilled in the cooler. Tim fired up the grill and masterfully flipped burgers in quantity. Sides filled a table in the lawn, and as fast as Tim could cook, plates were filled and serious eating began.

One highlight of the evening was the presentation of a card, quietly signed by all, to Skipper & Nancy Wall to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary - even if we were taking a chance that they might not make it to the official date of July 15th!

Though some who came by car left before the fireworks, most of the gang walked down to the neighborhood park for a great show. Myphi's nephew Steven got some pictures of the fun. Officially celebrated, the majority turned in to their bunks, but rumor has it that Tim & Smokey, at least, headed for the hot tub, and Rhonda relaxed in the pool.

Saturday was play day. After breakfast, rides to Napa for the Farmers Market and shopping were popular. Laurie had the kids panning for gold and lots of swimming. As advertised, Saturday was Western Day. Laurie nailed Wanted Posters all over the patio, with Rewards for finding a whole mean bunch of desperados. The likes of Rattlesnake Ron, Rawhide Rick, Two Time'n Tim, Mad Dog John, Side Shooter Gary, Lethal Laurie, Naughty Nancy, and Miss Oakley sure looked like trouble. With hats and dress in evidence, some serious eating was clearly coming.

Sheriff Tim russeled up a whole corral of of chicken tenders on the grill - each batch spiced with a different spice. All hands got to sample the table full of offerings. Great sides of salad rounded out the choices, plus a Tom furlong's big pot of chili which was drained in short order. To top it all off, Marshall Smokey & Miss Laurie Ann set the kids to work cranking the ice cream maker. When the kids gave out, vice Commodore Corky gave a twist until it was done. Laurie served it up to young and old.

Commodore Damsen thanked Smoky & Laurie for all the decorations, boat gifts and kids entertainment, and Tim & Rhonda for the use of their wonderful home and dock. But the fun wasn't over yet. Tim was hard at work setting up a big movie screen at the end of the yard, and soon we had our own "drive in" theater. As the sun set, we were treated to Billy Crystal and "City Slickers".

It was almost eleven when the movie ended and everyone headed for their bunks and a very early start home on Sunday morning. The target was 0630 to ride the ebb down the Napa river to deep water. It sure was a great weekend!

Pictures by Rhonda Shea, Ron Damsen, Barbara Brown, Myphi's nephew Steven and Rick Van Mell. Click on images to enlarge, click "Back" to return.

We're off to Vallejo	Thursday sail ...	Evanescence ...	catching Snowflower ...	ahead and ...
on her ...	way.	Looking back ...	and fog.	Happy at helm is ...
Karen.	Dockside in Vallejo	Neat & clean	Snowflower	Woodbine
Thank you Vallejo!	Vallejo sunset	Under way Friday ...	Mare Island bridge ...	Hwy 37 bridge ...
Look ma, no hands	railroad bridge ...	great sights ...	yeah, sure ...	Hwy 29 bridge ...
circling off Tim's.	Docking Crew	Here they come ...	Freedom Won is first	Tugboat Rhonda ...
stands by	Woodbine	Rhonda view ...	bow pull ...	safe in.
Next is ...	Snowflower ...	tucked in.	Vino del Mar ...	gets a pull.
Mai Pen Rai ...	takes her turn.	Here comes ...	the crew on ...	Luna Sea ...
does it easy.	Waiting her turn is ...	Brigid ...	fills the dock.	Last boats circle ...
in the river ...	waiting for ...	their call.	Evanescence ...	gets the other end.
Rhonda relaxes	Vitesse ...	on the guest dock.	Myphi gets a hug	Ophira ...
finds a home.	Last in is ...	Natural High	Dock ramp	Cool waters
(I want to SWIM!)	Tim's dock is ...	full.	Guest dock.	Water fun ...
for all.	Lifeguard Smokey	Wet dog.	Commodore & Karen	Anabelle on the prowl
Flags are ...	looking good.	Chef Tim ...	prepares the spread.	Happy girl.
Lawn chat.	New halyard so ...	Noble can hoist a ...	new I-36 flag.	Smokey helps Tim ...
push meat!	Nibbles service.	Chamber view ...	of all the ...	fleet.
Nice line.	Tim's other boat.	Special sight.	Flags fly.	" If we'd only ..."
"It was like this ..."	Happy girls	Chow line ...	great food.	Cozy corner.
Art & Betsy	Lined up.	Elizabeth & Tom	Patio table	"Could I ..."
you bet!!!	Emma too.	Nice try.	Double twist.	Laurie announces ...
a special day for ...	Skpper & Nancy's ...	50th Anniversary!	Fireworks crowd ...	gets bang ...
from several ...	cities.	Saturday is Western Day	The creed.	Desperados: Rattlesnake
Rawhide	Two Time'n	Mad Dog	Lethal & Naughty	Side Shooter
Miss Oakley	There she is!!!!!	Lucky dog.	Cowgirl & dog	The Sherrif!!
Easy livin'	Last year's crew	Made in the shade	Ron, Bill, Kris & Bob	Wait for me!
One more step	Happy cool	Teak's family	These tenders were ...	terrific!
Commodore Damsen ...	thanks Laurie & ...	Smokey & ...	Tim & Rhonda.	It's time for ...
dessert ...	just crank & ...	SMILE ....	more cranking ...	Laurie serves.
It's a drive in!	Soft light	Shore birds	Happy neighbor & ...	son.
Trouble maker Sarah ...	gets wig happy ...	with just ...	about all ...	the desperados ...
on hand ...	gals too ...	get the lid ...	enough already!	Chat time ...
& pose ...	& clown.	It's almost ...	movie time ...	Roll 'em.
Good night all.