Saturday morning, August 12th was sunny with light, variable winds. Three Islander36's and an Islander Freeport met at Treasure Island's Clipper Cove at 11:00am for the short sail across the bay. The rest of the fleet met after tying up to their assigned berth at South Beach Marina. In all we had 12 boats show up for the cruise. We would have had more but we could only get 12 berths from the marina. It has become a very popular destination now that Pacific Bell Ballpark is complete.
Since the SF Giants were out of town getting defeated by the Mets our cruise chairperson, Pat Salvo, arraigned a group tour of the new Giants stadium. 29 adventuresome cruisers met our tour guide at 2:30pm and began on the mezzanine which encircles the park. Then we got the view from the heights of the stadium and from one of the luxury boxes owned by the Giants. From there we got to go onto the field and into the visitors dugout. That was quite a thrill for some of us. Imagining how it would feel to play baseball with the stadium packed with fans. Next was a view of the visitor's locker room. Some members of our tour were disappointed that no players were present! Finally we ended with a visit to the Giants Dugout Store where souvenirs could be purchased.
After the tour it was back to the boats or exploring the area around the new stadium. At 5:30pm or so the hors-d'oeuvre flag was hoisted and we all met on Balandra, Ed Henry's 42' Nova. We heard quite a few stories about the Youth Benefit Regatta held the day before at the San Francisco Yacht Club. 14 Islanders plus 6 other boats participated in a fun race to benefit SFYC's youth sailing program.
Dinner was attended by 30 hungry and hearty cruisers (hungry, after all those hors-d'oeuvres??) at the Delancy Street Restaurant. The Delancy Street program takes people who were drug and alcohol dependent and teaches them a trade. Many restaurants in the city employ their graduates.
Sunday morning was very relaxing. Some of us had breakfast at the Java House at the foot of the marina and some elected to eat elsewhere. Some even slept in. Check out time was 12:00 noon so there was no hurry to start the sail back home.
Thanks to Bill Higdon/Blockbuster and Don Henderson/Kindred Spirits for the photos.
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Group gathers for ballpark tour.
Matt Bush says "Where's my hot dog?"
We wait for the elevator.
The view from the city side.
Right field w/McCovey Cove in background.
Left field w/giant Coke bottle & glove.
South Beach Marina from left field mezzanine.
Bay Bridge and Marina.
Tim Shea with crew Ian.
Islander team in visitors dugout.
Betsy Fowler has Ian Shea.
Bruce Hunter fishes for a tip.
Cocktails on Balandra.
Ed Henry & Earl Roberts.
Margo Wilhite & Nancy Wall.
Matt Bush & friends at Delancy St. Restaurant.
Roberts, Henderson & Wall.
South Beach Marina.
The McClellans.
Top deck of Balandra.
Wall, Wilhite & McClellan.
Judy Bush & friend.