Cruise around Alameda

It isn't something you just "do." At the south end of Alameda there are big mud flats that can catch you pretty quick. Even into the bay you have to be careful around San Leandro and the Oakland Airport. So a tradition is to boat around the island on New Years Day. You follow other boaters, ask for local knowledge and have a good time. The really friendly people at the Aeolian Yacht Club at the very south end of the island have a long guest dock. Their members really know the safe way around the island, so it is a good place to stop. Oh and they serve really good chili and drinks (Ramos Gin Fizz) all day on their beautiful outdoor deck.

This year the fog was stuck on the Oakland Estuary all morning and I almost canceled my trip, but it started to clear about 10:30 and it turned out to be a spectacular day. The chili was good and I had a nice group of friends including a couple who will soon be moving to Portland with their 2 young boys. They wanted to drive the boat, so of course I let them.

It was nice to have a handheld GPS (Garmin 76CSx) so I could track the boat while the kids were behind the wheel. I was close by, but we were right on the edge of the mud flats so I was on lookout both real and virtual.

The big swings on this Google Earth shot (with my gps track) are to avoid the big mud flats. At all but low tide you can't see them and cutting too tight around those parts of the island gets you stuck quick.

We made a quick trip in to see the USS Hornet that is the plot on the bay side of Alameda.

(click for larger image)




A bridge opening in the Estuary




A closer look




Cal's Crew trains in the south end of the Oakland Estuary




One of my guest crew members





A nice catamaran going the other way




A barge that broke last fall, moored in the Alameda breakwater near the USS Hornet




Here's 2 shots of the USS Hornet







Here's a cool boat decoration, a holiday seal, look close you can even see whiskers!






With San Francisco on his port side my other guest crew member helps navigate back home, he sure looks happy!