New Year's Day 2008 Around Alameda Parade

A great tradition on The Bay is the 'Round Alameda Parade on New Year's Day. The objective is to circumnavigate Alameda Island, stopping at all the yacht clubs along the way - and they respond with chili & Bloody Mary's or similar libations appropriate for the day.

One not-so-small detail is that charted water depth at the south and west ends of the island range from 2-4 feet. Even the "channel" to Aeolian YC at the southern tip is only in the 4-5 foot range. Thus one needs high water to get around. This year the sun and moon were not cooperating, with a low tide at 1330.

The following report comes from Dan Knox with comments and pictures by the Luna Sea crew. Sit back and picture the fun:

"As for the trip, the weather was great, Freedom One looked great, and a good time was had by all. Our crew was made up of Skipper John Melton, Corky & Anna Stewart, Dan Knox and two of the Luna Sea crew. We got as far as the first yacht club (Aeolian) and then got stuck in the mud and did the rest by car. (Thanks to Smokey & Laurie Stover and Nanci Melton who drove around.)

After feasting at Aeolian, and visiting Balena Bay YC we went back to get the boat and returned to Island Yacht Club to pick up our circumnavigation certificate and eat black eyed peas provided by Corky and Anna. (We had one stop along the way to rescue a Santana 22 whose crew was having all kinds of problems.) The beans were great and apparently eating these special beans is something of a tradition in Corky’s family. There was some singing, something about musical food . ."

"You deduced most of the story. A few more details: we motored from Encinal YC to the Aeolian YC and arrived near low tide. Their Chili was tasty, but their Ramos Fizzes were better! As we couldn't get Freedom Won from the dock into the channel, we drove to Ballena Bay YC for more cocktails and to Island YC for Corky's traditional Ham Hocks and Beans (the black-eyed peas); John was presented with his Island Circumnavigation Certificate (apparently you get one if you hit all YCs regardless of transport mode); then Nanci drove us back to the Aeolian YC allowing us to shuttle the boat back to Marina Village -- it was on the return that we rescued the S22."

So once again a hard core group of Islander folks ushered in the New Year as we all would want to - being on the water and with sailing friends. Here's to a great 2008 Season!

Passing under Miller-Sweeney bridge	Happy Camper	Bridge closing
Heading for High Street bridge	Passed High Street bridge	Docked at Aeolian YC
Silted in at Aeolian YC	Low tide at Harbor Bay	At Ballena Bay YC
The Islander gang!	Certified Circumnavigators at Island YC	John Melton looking relaxed
Happy Crew	Residents on Fernside watch	Back to deeper water
Almost home	Clear sailing	It's easy now
Park Street bridge on return	Navigated all bridges on return	The rescue

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