Vallejo/Mare Island Cruise - April 2007 Aprils cruise out to Vallejo YC on April 14 & 15 was the “Norm” for this cruise. Blustering winds and rain pelted the dedicated cruisers on their sail up on Saturday. Little did they know the fun was just beginning? Getting into Vallejo YC presented its own challenges due to the extreme low tide. It became a sport. Spectators (that would be those who were already in) watched from the deck of the yacht club. Cheers and laughter could be heard through the harbor as we wagered on who had the most creative and innovated technique for maneuvering their boat through the mud. It was unanimous toss up between the Farquharson’s and the Lessley’s. Never the less, they persevered and made it on time for Dan Peterson’s home made Margaritas! Funny enough, the Yacht Club hosted a Prime Rib dinner Saturday night. It was a fund raiser for a new break water outside their harbor entrance. There was no asking the relevancy of that idea! We all we happy to participate in such a worthy cause! Thank you Janet Ferraro and Mike Cloutier for arranging the early morning tour of Mare Island on Sunday. Surprisingly 7:30 AM was not too early for  most of us! After pastries and “Pete’s” coffee, we set out for what ended up being a fascinating tour of the Island. The guide led us down the old streets, and through the historic buildings, painting a complete picture of what the island was like. It took little imagination to place your self there.  Thank you Dan and Gerrie Peterson for co hosting the cruise with Janet and Mike but especially I want to thank you for ordering up the easterly that made the sail home so awesome. Now there’s a host who knows what their doing! You can’t top that one! First Cruise in 2007 San Rafael Yacht Club And we are off! The 2007 cruising season started out with 60 cruisers signed up for the cruise to San Rafael Yacht Club on January 13 and 14. Of course it didn’t hurt that a crab feed was on the agenda, but never the less, we are out for a good start! A big thank you to Kelly and Gary Troxel for hosting the cruise aboard their Benetau 42, Tiki Blue. The Pomegranate martini’s and morning eye openers were just what the doctor ordered. For the first time ever, Gary produced a Cruising CD which included a favorite song from each cruiser. “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad” by Johnny Cash, Roy Howard’s pick, was by far the most original and insightful! Gary may have started a new tradition! Our sail home, after racing out of the San Rafael canal before low tide, was very pleasant with easterly winds and ebb tide. (Our host had to be towed into San Rafael YC because of the mean low tide, Thanks to Lyle Ryan aboard “Positiva” who came to his rescue. (We otherwise might not have had a host for the weekend!) There’s always next month if you missed this cruise and are now regretting it. We will be cruising to Ballena Bay YC on February 10 &11. Our hosts are Eva & Juan Spampinato. Look forward to seeing you there! Judy Bentsen New cruising protocol for 2007 PLEASE READ In an attempt to make hosting our yacht club cruises easier and more “giver” friendly, this year we will be implementing the following changes in our cruising routine This is the consensus among the current active cruisers: • A welcome drink upon arrival organized by the host and funded with the cruising budget may be offered. • Appetizers will be provided by every boat cruiser or car cruiser, implementing the potluck method. This will be organized by the cruise host. • Evening cocktails and appetizers will take place in the visiting yacht club. If there is no yacht club the cocktails will be BYOB. • Eye openers may be funded with the cruising budget. • Morning “Danish” will also be potluck organized by the cruise host. (I’ll bring Torben.) This should make hosting a cruise less of an ominous job, so that fun can be had by all!