Three SFBANTA Tugs, ETERNITY, THREE JEANS AND RILEY, responding to Scotty's invitation, "We're going, want to join us?" arrived at the mouth of the Petaluma River on Saturday, Dec. 30, and proceeded upriver to the D Street Bridge in Petaluma for a scheduled opening at 3:00pm. The weather was beautiful with only slight lumpiness around Pt. San Pablo earlier. The Petaluma River was calm and flat. Secured in the turning basin below Petaluma YC and with only three other vessels at the docks, we waited until the last minute to decide on dinner; in or out. The nearby Cucina Paradiso won out over BBQ on board and we were rewarded with and excellent dinner. (It should be noted that at every one of these events all present are free to dine on board, visit a local restaurant with a group or dine alone. There are no expectations other than for everyone to enjoy the trip.) We adjourned to THREE JEANS for ice cream. Next morning, Dec. 31, we were invited to join Bud and Pam Sheble for Bud's Breakfast Boiled in a Bag. To say it was delicious is an understatement and Bud and Pam set the bar very high for the next surprise host. A casual day of touring downtown Petaluma, boat chores, afternoon naps, etc., preceded a progressive dinner starting with champagne and hors d'oeuvres aboard RILEY. Next, a wonderful salad aboard ETERNITY and aboard THREE JEANS, pasta and wine provided by Scotty and Carol and their guests, Van and Linda Dossey, all capped off by cherry tarts prepared by Carol. 2007 arrived without incident but it is doubtful that any in the group were awake to mark the occasion.
New Year's Day was like the day before; no schedule and nothing to do but relax, concluded by a wonderful dinner at Semolina Restaurant, a 10 minute walk from the boats. (Bud and Pam had left at 7:30am to meet prior commitments.)
THREE JEANS and RILEY departed 9:00am, Tuesday, Jan. 2 for Rio Vista, arriving in mid-afternoon after an idyllic cruise across mirror calm Petaluma River and San Pablo Bay and barely ruffled Sacramento River. A quick co-operative pasta dinner was prepared and enjoyed before early retirement.
Next morning, we departed Rio Vista and returned home to our respective home ports via Sacramento River, Three Mile Slough and San Joaquin River, all mirror calm in hazy sunshine and near 60 degree air temp.
Attached photos depict the winter tranquility and beauty provided by the SF Bay and Delta environs.

Jim Moore
Riley