INDEPENDENCE CHRONICLES

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Cruise to Tinsley Island

An aerial view of Tinsley Island a few years back.

The last cruise of the year…some say, ‘saving the best for the last’, and I must say it was quite fun! A six hour cruise up the Delta to St. Francis Yacht Clubs’ Tinsley Island. You could quite easily cruise right by if you didn’t spy the lighthouse turret or the tall masts rising above the palm trees. We nestle in next to Endeavor - Commodore Gary Sheppard and Mary Beth Bond-Sheppard’s boat and Safari - Wyman and Gay Harris’ boat. With the Independence safely stowed, let the party begin. This is a four day celebration called ‘The Friendship Cruise Roundup’ with members from Corinthian, Lock Lomond, Marin, Richmond, San Francisco, St. Francis, Sausalito and Tiburon Yacht Clubs…I believe somewhere in the number of 200 persons! The weekends events and cocktails are sponsored by each club and the cowboy theme will become quickly evident!

Cruising into the Delta past the C&H Sugar factory at Crockett

We have arrived…Larry’s ready to enjoy the weekend

Larry with Penny - Gone to the dogs on ’ Beach House’ with David Jampolsky (Camille is inside)

Sausalito Yacht Club Commodore Tammy & Ross’ boat and their sweet pooch

Larry & Stu take the dog to the bar

A good view can be found of the massive ships going by from the turret of the lighthouse

The Delta waters are a major transit waterway with massive tankers traveling from and to the SF Bay and out the Golden Gate. They are so silent as they glide by you don’t even know they are passing most of the time.

Time for Bloody’s and….

….Bocce Ball. This is a speed tournament. If you lose in the first round of play you do not continue.

The winning throws have to be measured, it’s that close

Wyman & Gay Harris were just a smidge short in their last toss, but they’re the winners to me!!!

We didn’t make it past the first round but I am loving my new friendship belt!

The Tinsley Bell and Lighthouse in the background

Now time for Tennis Ball Golf (9 holes) with Paul, Larry and Commodore Gary Sheppard (Michelle & Luke already at hole 1)

Our fearless leader (Cruise Committee Chair) Paul Mourani with Larry…Yep, they broke the mold when they made these two!!!

Astounding the amount of work that goes into planning this cruise. Eight participating Yacht Clubs all with different activities and parties (some open to other clubs some private) for three to four days…wow! We thank our cruise committee lead Suzei Moore for all her hard work…she’s amazing!

Also a massive thanks and kudos to Stephanie Stroub for her fantastic cowboy theme decore!

The star of the weekend…the Big Bull Floaty…

Nice hat partner, Larry looks great in my Dad’s Stetson…time to kick it!!!

Ride that Big Bull Floaty!

Michelle & Paul Mourani take the Big Bull Floaty in style

Movin’ back down the Delta toward home…party’s over…