Home	Giants Game Cruise 8/25/18

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

A hugh thanks to John & Nanci Melton for organizing a terrific San Francisco Giant's game cruise. Working months in advance John was able to tentatively hold a large block of seats until we rounded up lots of Islander folk to fill them. In the end we had 10 boats represented with 34 people. Freedom Won, John & Nanci with son Danny, wife Lyna and granddaughters Eva & Nyah; Cali Kerry & Jennifer Scott; Green Flash Mike Patterson & Liz Munnelley + 4 friends; Island Girl Frank Burkhart + twin sons Will & Luke; Natural High Dennis & Judy Bush; Ophira Gary & Pat Salvo; Shalinda Dave & Sharon Hanna + Tim and Linda Barnes (SHaron + LINDA = Shalinda) and 2 friends; Vanishing Animal Rick & Sandy Van Mell; Zingara Steve & Jocelyn Swanson; and then Zenith when Bill & Susan Nork joined the group back at Encinal Yacht Club.

John had originaly tried to get slips at south Beach Harbor right at AT&T Park, the Giant's home field, but no luck. Plan B was to gather at Marina Village Marina in Alameda, which is walking distance to both Oakland Yacht Club and Encinal Yacht Club and where there are already at least 7 Islanders docked. But best of all, there is a ferry directly from Alameda to AT&T Park which avoids any parking hassel in San Francisco. So we all gathered at 11:00 at Marina Village Marina Gate 8, shuttled the five minutes to the ferry terminal and boarded an 11:50 ferry for the 25 minute ride across San Francisco Bay.

John had gotten us seating in the highest section right behind 1st base with a perfect view of the batters box, the whole field, and on out across San Fransico Bay. An added plus was that Section VR307 was shaded from the sun and mostly blocked from the wind. It did take a little huffing and puffing to get there but it was worth it.

The game itself got off to a favorable Giants start as they drove in 4 runs in the first inning. Adding a homer in the 7th, it was 5 - 0 over the Texas Rangers going into the 8th. Then it got interesting when the Rangers added 3, but the inning closed out with 2 runners on base. In the bottom of the 8th, the giants got men on 1st and 3rd with 1 out, but couldn't score, and the Rangers came to bat in the 9th still trailing 5 - 3. The Ginats muffed a fly, added a walk and soon the bases were loaded with only 1 out. A strikeout, and, finally, after a pitcher change, a pop-up to end the game.

We Islanders joined the long line waiting for the return ferry to Alameda, which had to wait offshore until the Vallejo and Larkspur ferries had filled and departed. We were under way back across the Bay about 45 minutes after the last out. Astern the fog was rolling in over the hills with just Sutro Tower sticking up through it. We docked in Alameda and drove to Encinal YC, gathered on the outdoor deck, and enjoyed wine and a bar-food dinner to finish off the day.

A fine example of how Islanders can have a good time on a cruise. Come join us!

Pictures by xxx. Click on images to enlarge, click "Back" to return.

Marina Village ...	Gate 8 ...	is home to several ...	Islander 36s.	Osprey
Natural High	Diana	Freedom Won ...	and Riley.	Zenith
Fantasy	Mischief	Luna Sea	Dennis & Judy Natural High	Frank, sons Will & Luke Island Girl
Pat and Judy ...	plus Sandy.	Hi Gary! Ophira	Line to board ...	AT&T Park ferry.
Soft seats ...	John's happy.	Jennifer & Kerry Cali	Under way ...	high tide.
Bay scow Alma	Approaching ...	San Francisco ...	& AT&T Park.	Marina entrance gate.
GREAT view ...	panning right ...	to McCovey Cove.	Have a Coke!	Scoreboard's ready.
Shalinda crew	Cali Island Girl Freedom Won	Ophira Vanishing Animal Zingara	Green Flash	Kaya fleet in the Cove.
Play Ball!	Sutro tower - left AT&T Park - right	Back to Alameda.	On to Encinal YC	Frank, Will & Luke Kerry & Jennifer Susan & Bill Nork Zenith
Pat & Gary, Dennis & Judy	John & Riley	Great crowd.	Beautiful afternoon.	Patomic passing by.

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