Home	Benicia Cruise July 4-6, 2014

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

In all 11 Islanders participated in the July 4th weekend. It started off with a positioning potluck at Emery Cove on Thursday evening when Ophira, Bella Luna, Natural High, and Freedom Won gathered to enjoy a beautiful day and evening. You can judge the fun by the smiles on their faces.

Friday morning, the 4th, started out light, but as the fog cleared and the sun came out, the predictable westerlies filled in and it was a glorious ride most of the way to Benicia. Vivace sailed out from Marina Bay down the Richmond channel to converge with the fleet as they came by. By the time they passed The Brothers islands and turned the corner into San Pablo Bay, it was nice sailing. It is good to have some boat-to-boat pictures of Islanders sailing together, thanks to Gary Salvo, Bill O'Connor, and Robert DaPrato, and maybe we will get a few more from John Melton.

As the Islander were making their way to Benicia, past fleet champion Peter Szasz and Louisa were en route from Glen Cove Marina aboard their 41' power boat Louisa-Ann. Yes,that's to the dark side, but Peter still has interests in two other sailboats, and that's after selling his I-36 Midnight Sun, a J-105 and 5.5. Some people just have too many boats. But as Louisa says, it's the Islander spirit that is so much fun.

Rob & Ruby Blenderman met everyone on the guest dock at Benicia, as their White Horses slept peacefully in her slip farther up the harbor. What with additional friends of Rob & Ruby, and O'Connor daughter and grand children, there was lots of activity on the dock. Shalinda, finally overcame the last of her engine problems and arrived on Saturday, but Dave & Sharon, plus daughter and friend joined us by land yacht for the Friday festivities. Also joining by land yacht were Rick and Sandy (plus Teak - now 17) of Vanishing Animal, and Jim Higdon and friend Cossette once of Blockbuster.

At 1700 hours we all carried appetizers, sides and entrees up to the Benicia Yacht Club for a festive time. With 26 of us for Friday night, the outside terrace was packed. The big gas grill got a workout as both our Islander gang and Benicia YC members cooked up a storm. We all put out sides and condiments buffet style for all to enjoy. As the sun set and the golden glow settled over the harbor and the top of Mt Diablo in the distance, our gang filtered back to the docks. Well, yes, it WAS July 4th, but a full day of fun and sun on the water made most content to sit on their boats and watch the fireworks from a bit of a distance. But it was a great sight in comfortable weather.

Only the earliest risers saw wisps of fog drifting over the tops of the hills, but they were gone by 0800 and clear,sunny skies prevailed. After breakfast, the Vivace crew headed home and had a good trip. The fantastic four ladies of Pat, Nanci, Louisa & Sandy assembled about 11:00 for a walking tour of Benicia. They returned, goodies in hand and at least two new hats on heads, about 1500.

We confirmed the 1730 arrival time at Rob & Ruby's house, and the various land yacht skippers ferried all until the 19 of us were safely at their house. As you can see from the pictures, their house is a special treasure. Ruby being a now retired welder, he has amassed and assembled no end of unique objects, both structural and artistic. Think Winchester Mystery house on a smaller scale, but maybe even more quixotic. In addition to brought dishes, Ruby laid out a scrumptous feast with ribs and meatballs and roll-ups the centerpiece aorund salads, dips, relish, salami and cheese. Her server kept passing plates of wonderous delights or filling empty glasses. Not to mention two supurb desserts and a brought apple pie. Wash that all down with a bit of vino and it was a glorious evening. Even the two cats in evidence got along with Teak. With our early start, the Islanders were back aboard by 2000.

An early start on Sunday had the last of the fleet heading home.

Bella Luna	Robert Da Prato, Maria Santiago
ex-Blockbuster	Jim Higdon & Cossette
Freedom Won	John & Nanci Melton
Louisa-Ann	Peter & Louisa Szasz
Natural High	Dennis & Judy Bush (Thurs only)
Ophira	Gary & Pat Salvo
Shalinda	Tim & Linda Barnes, Dave & Sharon Hanna (+2)
Snowflower	Skipper & Nancy Wall
Vanishing Animal	Rick & Sandy Van Mell
Vivace	Bill & Patti O'Connor (+Pamela, Griffin & Ryan)
White Horses	Rob & Ruby Blenderman (+ 3)

Pictures by Gary Salvo, Bill O'Connor, Robert DaPrato, and Rick Van Mell. Click on images to enlarge, click "Back" to return.

Thursday @ Emery Cove	Ophira	Bill and ...	Pattie with grandson	Bella Luna at The Brothers
Freedom Won ...	with BIG tanker!	Capt. Bob on Bella Luna	Vivace	Dockside ...
Vivace ...	Bill & Pattie, and ...	Daughter Pamela ...	secure the main.	Flags fly, and ...
Pat is ready for ...	Freedom Won ...	time to relax ...	and chill!	Teak likes shade.
This is ...	Louisa-Ann ...	Peter's on guard ...	but ready to fly ...	lots of toys ...
autopilot, and ...	chartplotter.	Louisa's relaxed.	Rob & Ruby arrive.	Their friends too.
Nice and recure ...	looking good.	Dockside is ...	another Islander.	Sea Woof ...
has ...	3 woofs ...	coming out to ...	sniff Teak.	Benicia YC flags ...
beckon for ...	cocktails & dinner ...	cheers!	Harbor view.	First gathering ...
Ruby's friends ...	Sharon & daughter ...	Shalinda crew.	Louisa & Peter...	Peter joins Shalinda ...
but Louisa's on FIRE!	Moving inside ...	goodies buffet ...	lots of choices ...	and condiments ...
inside BYC.	Mt. Diablo sunset ...	Bill kicks back ...	quiet on the docks ...	BYC ready for fireworks.
Saturday morning ...	checking peemail.	All secure ...	Bill & Pattie ...	dress for weather, and ...
take Vivace home.	Ready for shopping.	Next arrival is ...	Shalinda ...	nice cockpit, and ...
snappy crew!	The raft gets ...	inspected.	Shoppers return ... (note new hats)	Welcome to ...
Rob & Ruby's house ...	great museum with ...	Mr. Rosenthal saying ...	"that's MY water," ...	OK.
We all arrive ...	at one ...	time with ...	lights off, and ...	on, and ...
dragons, and ...	plates, and ...	boats?!	Behind the door is ...	the fridge!
A great spread with ...	many choices ...	beautifully served ...	Thank you Ruby!	Avoidance maneouver.
Skipper gets ...	company ...	John holds ...	court ...	Nanci & Jim ...
and Shalinda crew.	I'm watching too ...	Purrrr-fect!	Now for my dinner ...	delicious ...
dessert!	Rob & Mr. Rosenthal ...	say, "Bye Teak."

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