So where did the summer go?  I guess it has been awhile since it left but my hanging on to it won’t change that winter is here.  It does have it’s own beauty though.  

My drive to work in the mornings takes me down Highway 160, and as I cross the American river I can see Bob & Susan’s boat “Real Moments” at the dock below the trailer park.  I’m always cranking my head around trying to see the river, and who might be there.  Maybe I’m wishing I’m not going to work and I’m stopping to have coffee with Bob and Susan watching the steam rise off the water.  

It is such a different sight from the summer.  So peaceful with the cold water looking smooth as glass and wondering how steam or fog can be sitting just a few feet on the water.   Things sure get quite from the mass of boat and parties of the summer.  

But we are still having our social times.  The lighted boat parade was the best I have ever seen and it just keeps getting better.  Terri O’Connor “Top Shelf” and CCYC Fleet Captain did a great job of organizing the parade.  George and Terri also did a great job of decorating their boat and of course won an award for their class.  While this was a CCYC sponsored event, it really takes both CCYC and SYC to make it the special event it is.    

As Sherry and I were decorating the “More Dithpicable” people kept coming by and saying oh your going after an award, but as we moved from the SYC to the Sacramento Marina for staging, I kept saying wow that boat is better decorated then mine, oh and that one too, and that one and that one.   

But what great fun!  Each decorated boat was it’s own floating party of friends food and drink.  James & Emily “River Villa” Mike & Bonnie “Meant to Be” and Stan “Loony Tunes” joined us for the parade.  Mike got me this quart bottle of beer from a local brewery and of course I had to just look at it till the parade was over.  Of course Emily had a few drinks and was helping me navigate at every turn.

John & Marry “Life is Good” were in Old Town Sacramento at another party on the docks watching and taking pictures.  Now they know how to party.  All the pics from Old Town were courtesy of Mary.  The judges were on the Delta King along with the biggest crowds I have ever seen for this parade.  

We should thank the folks like PC Peter “St. Somewhere”  and CCYC Commodore Bruce “Sue-Sea” and others for being up at 5:30 AM to meet the news media for the morning broadcasts.  The media attention has really helped bring out the crowds to watch.  Crawdads and the Virgin Sturgeon also had great crowds and were a great place to watch the parade.  The Virgin Sturgeon has always been so boater friendly it was great to see the crowds.  

Afterwards there was a great potluck, and if you can believe more drinks up at the Sac Marina Clubhouse where awards were given out.

Next Stop/Party will be at the docks in Old Town Sacramento for New Years Eve.  What a great and fun event, even though the weather can be cold and nasty.  There is the party going on in Old Town and our comfortable boats when we need to recover.  

Since New Years Eve in on a Thursday I suspect boats will start arriving on Tuesday in order to get a good parking spot.  Also the first boats get first dibs on shore power, although I have found people are so willing to share.  We usually have to raft out at least 3 boat into the river side in order to accommodate everyone.

There is also the inside dock and that takes a bit more care.  There is usually folks monitoring channel 68, so call and ask for help docking and advice on where to dock.   

It is always amazing for me still after all these years to walk onto any boat and someone is making sure I have a drink in my hand.  And then there is the food.  It is no wonder I have a bit of a stomach.  Notice I said a bit of a stomach.   

There are suppose to be two firework shows, one at 9 PM and the second at Midnight.   There are also suppose to be some live music as well.  Of course if you don’t bring your boat, your friends will be there to welcome you to the party.  As new years approaches the security folks keep the public from coming on the docks so you have to let them know you have a boat or friends with boats out on the docks to be allowed to pass.  

Who says we can have fun with boating in the winter.  Enjoy the quiet and special times the season brings and yes we still have opportunities to party with our Social Boating friends.       

What’s Going On December

Just in case you miss the summer here are a few pics I have from the year.  If you have any pics you would like to have added here please send then to the BoaterGuy or Zguy@yahoo.com.  Of course there is The Social Boater forum if you would like to comment or add anything.