Summer at last! I can tell it's summer because the weather is crappy. Fog, wind - repeat. However, the long days make getting away on Friday night easy, if we can get out of our slip with the wind blowing like a hurricane...

We spent a couple of weekends at Clipper Cove, but it's so depressing now with all the abandoned vessels. It's like anchoring in Slumville. The Divine Esther joined us, and we were hard put to find a spot out of the wind large enough to accommodate the two boats. When the wind came up in earnest, we had to relocate because a big-ass trimaran was sneaking up on us from behind. It was very strange trying to maneuver the helm with Esther's 34-foot trawler tied alongside. I would swing the helm, as per Sweetie's instructions as he was retrieving the anchor, and the boat wouldn't respond.

A few seconds later, still no response -- wondering if something was seriously wrong, and then Esther's boat would tug at her springline, and off we would go. Eventually we got the anchor up and reset, but not without a bit of grumbling at the scuzzy fleet that has taken all the best spots that are out of the wind. Clipper Cove is about the only protected anchorage that San Francisco Bay has to offer. There is Aquatic Park, but that is for sailboats only.

Last weekend we anchored just outside of our marina and had a grand time. It's about a 10-minute run, just long enough to get the engines hot and make the cat nervous. The problem is that it's rolly. I don't mind a boisterous anchorage, but it does mean that we can't raft up with other boats. We have tried it, and damage ensued. Who knew old Taiwanese trawlers were so delicate? After much banging and cracking of the teak trim, we avoid rafting with friends' boats in all but the most calm anchorages, which means either the Delta (too far) or Clipper Cove. Alas...

Next week we are off for a week's boating vacation. Friday night (wind willing) we leave for Angel Island and will meet up with our friends from the Bahama Sailing Club. After a couple of cocktail parties and a barbecue, we will head up bay toward China Camp, where we will enjoy the wide-open vista for a day or two. Then we hope to take a trip up the Napa River. Home sweet home.

I know the week will fly by, but it's so good to be able to take advantage of the long summer days, and hopefully, we will be able to chase down some warm weather!