This past weekend Greg and I lead an Anchors Aweigh Raft-up for the Berkeley Yacht Club at the Clipper Cove Summer Sailstice event.  It started off a little rocky - but on the day of the event - we were able to get our act together and have a max of 13 boats rafted up plus two members who anchored on their own.  We had kids from the Cal Sailing Club climbing over all the boats during their daysail - we had dogs, cats, and even a 12 week old Sphinx.  Twelve boats stayed overnight - we had plenty of anchors out in the gusty winds and we are happy to say our raft had no issues with dragging.  The morning brought very little drama and people raised anchors and headed off to enjoy the rest of their day.  The boats that attended were:  Kip and Carol Keiper on SeaQuest, John and Alisa Cassero on Volare', Amy and Peter on Tulipe', Jolanda and Tod on Bliss, Sharon on Pearl of Oakland, Rick and Joan Webb on Webb Site, Doug and Marsha Asche on Co-Motion, Kevin and Renee Murray on Done Deal, Moria Feighery-Ross on Freefall, Jose Rivero on Felice II, Lisa Miller on Bravada, the Hornemons with their Cal29, Rub Slippers, Ian, Gina and Declan O'Leary on Ku Mema, and Greg and I on Pura Vida

So, Since Greg started working at Alcatraz Cruises Kim and I have been talking about how long it's been since we've been - and she wanted to girls to see it.....and how cool would it be for the girls to see their Uncle Greg working on the Ferry boat.  So fast forward a couple of months, Greg's dad and Carol were in town and Jackie (Greg's mom) wouldn't miss the day...all this adds up to Greg's take your family to work day.  Everyone couldn't possibly have been friendlier and we all had a fabulous time.

   Here's our favorite First Officer...What a friendly face!!!!!

  The scenes around the island are beautiful...

  Could you imagine years living in this small space?  I live on a boat and I can't even fathom this as my entire world.

This photo is courtesy of our neighbor (a couple docks over) and friend, Moria.  She was hanging out on her boat when what would she see but her neighbor (a sailboat) being towed back in the no wind conditions by the local Dragon Boaters...now you don't see that every day.

The weather has been beautiful here in Berkeley - well - maybe better to say, we've had some really beautiful days.  This initiated conversations about a dock party....a few emails later - we are having a BBQ with our closest neighbors.

  the gang on the dock....

What a great time - we had fresh sushi - raw/BBQ oysters and plenty of other eats.  Some attendees drove, others sailed in, others paddled in and others just walked out their front doors (or companionways). 

   Yes - the ABBA music came out so the girls sang

  Gina dna her fresh sushi -- SUSHI PARTY next ????

  Most people took a turn to shuck oysters --

We had a fantastic time and I think everyone agreed we need to do it again sometime soon....

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A few weeks ago I was lucky enough to be able to go out with Kip and Carol aboard SeaQuest - their wonderful Ericson 35 for the Master Mariners race.  The idea was to get some great photos - but the reality was an awesome sailing day - wonderful company while basically chasing the race around the Bay.

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Wasn't exactly the plan - but we all had a great time out there.

Am really trying to figure out updating via email with pictures where I'd like them to go in the email...  Here's my test

  Out sailing a few weeks/months ago - Nice - Matey sleeping under dodger.

   Betty with here wonderul cookies she made for one of the Friday Winter nights at the Yacht Club

Our neices Nicci and Kaity on their cooking birthday party - pickng herbs with their friends...

Finally - our little furkid Matey...

Tuesday (yesterday) Greg and I went out on the Vessel Assist boat. He was on call, but fortunatley didn't receive a call as the wind was honking in the afternoon/evening reaching gusts to 35 knots in the marina. Though we did get some practice in - going out to the estuary for a spin around Jack London Square (the boat show starts this week), then over to the city where Greg practiced towing an imaginary boat to empty slips with the strong crosswind.

After that we headed out toward the Gate in the choppy Bay, then stopped off back at pier 1 1/2 for lunch in the City before heading back to Berkeley where the wind continued to build.

We had a fun time playing around on the Bay and what an awesome work boat that Vessel Assist boat is....

 

Tuesday (yesterday) Greg and I went out on the Vessel Assist boat. He was on call, but fortunatley didn't receive a call as the wind was honking in the afternoon/evening reaching gusts to 35 knots in the marina. Though we did get some practice in - going out to the estuary for a spin around Jack London Square (the boat show starts this week), then over to the city where Greg practiced towing an imaginary boat to empty slips with the strong crosswind.

After that we headed out toward the Gate in the choppy Bay, then stopped off back at pier 1 1/2 for lunch in the City before heading back to Berkeley where the wind continued to build.

We had a fun time playing around on the Bay and what an awesome work boat that Vessel Assist boat is....