Sailing Education Adventures

2011

It was a windless, foggy, glassy-surfaced day with a brrrrr in the air. Summer Solstice left her berth with Catherine and Audrey (happy 6th birthday), her friend, Jules, Stephen, Elliot and Adrian, both of whom sailed with John Paul on the Pacific this last summer, Thad, Ann (welcome back to sailing and the bay area) and Aili (a big welcome too).

Sail plan: to rendezvous with Katniss, skippered by Andy, and with him, Danny, sailing up from Brisbane. This Hot Toddie sail was intended to celebrate the Winter Solstice. All crew took turns steering Summer Solstice across the SF pond - under motor all the way to Gas House Cove, under the Bay Bridge (new and old) into Clipper/Treasure Island Cove where we found Katniss who'd similarly motored all the way from the south bay. Lunch was devoured of sandwiches, prosciutto, cheese, bread, trail mix and Edel-Marzipanstollen.

Departing TI Cove about 1430, we found even less wind but sun and blue sky had emerged from shrouds of fog to warm all and sundry along with the whiskey-rum-brandy toddies. After farewelling Katniss to parts south, we returned to Clipper via Raccoon Strait with ne'er the whisper of breeze. In the chilling sunset we berthed the boat, warmed the cockles of our hearts and toasted the warmer coming of spring and its longer sailing hours. Happy holidays to all SEA sailors (sorry you weren't there!), their kids, partners and families!