RWYB 2003 Heading Out

 It started on a cold and rainy morn.  We had to setup the party pavilion at Mears Point Marina for the end-of-the-run party.  There was a grand plan and we all worked feverishly to bring it to fruition.  We had the rare excitement of standing in rain water while playing with Christmas lights.  We ran power lines over, under, and around everything that wasn't moving.  We stood picnic tables on end and generally had a grand time.  By the time we were finished, everyone was in a real party mood.  We were having so much fun setting up the party that some of us wanted to skip the sailing part and go right into the party part of the event!

While we waited for the bridge opening, the sky started to clear.  Once we were heading out into the Eastern Bay, the weather became just about perfect for sailing.  Up went the sails, off went the engine, and we moved out on a broad reach for Bloody Point Light.

Once we got there we turned North and were greeted with almost flat calm conditions. We were ghosting along at about one and a half knots.  The sun had come out and it was actually getting hot.  After an hour or so of employing our best sailing techniques, we decided to kick on the engine.  We motored to just North of the Bay Bridge and the wind picked back up.  So again, the sails went up, the engine went off and we headed up on a beat to Love Point.  On rounding the point we found the wind right on the nose.  We tacked a few times and, as the sun was setting, we again fired up the engine and drove it home to the marina.

Then came the party.

The band was just fantastic.  The pot-luck dinner was fabulous. The booze was, well, booze.  We danced well into the night. Well as far into the night as we could considering what the day had held.

One of the best days on the Bay that I can recall.  Jane and I can't wait for next year.