My grandson Wesley thinks California is pretty special. Granted my own children thought the same of their annual summer trips from Connecticut to visit their 4 grandparents in the San Francisco area - they were spoiled and feted by them and so understandably believed that California was the Land of Milk and Honey. The same happens when Wesley visits our extended family in the Bay Area but, on this trip, he was especially excited about our plan for Sunday, our last night in California. We were going to sleep in a most unusual place - on Dulcinea, Michelle and Lee's new 38-foot sail boat (well, used but new for them). How could all 7 of us fit? Their last boat was 15 feet shorter and could only sleep 2. Not Dulcinea. 15 feet makes a big difference.
The excitement began when all 7 of us met at Michelle and Lee's loft in Oakland in the late afternoon. Before we could think about moving over to the boat we had to answer another question - where would we eat dinner? We could sail in their smaller sailboat (Rigel) up to Jack London Square and find a restaurant there, then sail back to Dulcinea (Dulcinea is in the shop getting its mast shipshape but we could board it at the shop's slip). Or we could eat in one of Oakland's other restaurants. Or we could order food, pick it up and take it to Dulcinea. We opted for this last suggestion - we couldn't wait to get on board. Given that we didn't fit in one car Lee, Dan and Wesley sailed Rigel over to Dulcinea while the rest of us drove into Alameda to pick up the food and then on to the dock.
Rigel got there before us so Wesley welcomed us on board. He demonstrated how to get down the ladder to below deck and showed us the amazing sight - an interior big enough for all 9 of us (the 7 of us plus Michelle's two Moms). We laughed and chattered. We oohed and ahhed. We commented on every feature. A bathroom with a toilet! Such an improvement over the bucket in Rigel. Running water! All the storage! Clever shelves and cabinets tucked into every nook and cranny. A stove top, oven, and refrigerator! We have loved our trips on Rigel but this was luxury indeed.
We soon moved to the table where we sat and shared food while we talked and laughed. 6 of us sat on 3 sides of the table; the others sat across on a padded bench. After what seemed like only minutes but was probably close to 2 hours, Marlena and Leanne went back to their place in Oakland and we, who had slept in different beds each of our 3 other nights in California, who were catching an early flight back to Portland, were more than ready to turn in. Wesley could barely keep his eyes open but watched the miracle happen - the table disappear and a large bed appear in its place; the padded bench pulled out to become a twin bed. Adding these to the large spaces under the two ends of the boat - well we all had a place to sleep. Stephanie and wee Finn were tucked under the rear deck, Lee and Michelle under the front deck, I had the twin and Wesley and Dan shared the large bed. Although it was quite cold by the time we went to bed and Dulcinea has no heat, we were soon toasty warm under fleece sheets and blankets.
As I drifted off to sleep I wondered how different it would be if we were at sea instead of in a slip - I expect there would be a lot more rocking. Instead we fell asleep in gentle peace. My only memory during the night was hearing the occasional sound of Baloot's toe nails as she moved up and down the path between the beds. What a good dog, making sure all was well. No 5-foot butt-biting squid would board the ship under her command.
I look forward to more excursions on Dulcinea and what a lovely ending to our time in California. Thank you, Lee and Michelle. It was such a treat.
Onwards to Christmas.
The excitement began when all 7 of us met at Michelle and Lee's loft in Oakland in the late afternoon. Before we could think about moving over to the boat we had to answer another question - where would we eat dinner? We could sail in their smaller sailboat (Rigel) up to Jack London Square and find a restaurant there, then sail back to Dulcinea (Dulcinea is in the shop getting its mast shipshape but we could board it at the shop's slip). Or we could eat in one of Oakland's other restaurants. Or we could order food, pick it up and take it to Dulcinea. We opted for this last suggestion - we couldn't wait to get on board. Given that we didn't fit in one car Lee, Dan and Wesley sailed Rigel over to Dulcinea while the rest of us drove into Alameda to pick up the food and then on to the dock.
Rigel got there before us so Wesley welcomed us on board. He demonstrated how to get down the ladder to below deck and showed us the amazing sight - an interior big enough for all 9 of us (the 7 of us plus Michelle's two Moms). We laughed and chattered. We oohed and ahhed. We commented on every feature. A bathroom with a toilet! Such an improvement over the bucket in Rigel. Running water! All the storage! Clever shelves and cabinets tucked into every nook and cranny. A stove top, oven, and refrigerator! We have loved our trips on Rigel but this was luxury indeed.
We soon moved to the table where we sat and shared food while we talked and laughed. 6 of us sat on 3 sides of the table; the others sat across on a padded bench. After what seemed like only minutes but was probably close to 2 hours, Marlena and Leanne went back to their place in Oakland and we, who had slept in different beds each of our 3 other nights in California, who were catching an early flight back to Portland, were more than ready to turn in. Wesley could barely keep his eyes open but watched the miracle happen - the table disappear and a large bed appear in its place; the padded bench pulled out to become a twin bed. Adding these to the large spaces under the two ends of the boat - well we all had a place to sleep. Stephanie and wee Finn were tucked under the rear deck, Lee and Michelle under the front deck, I had the twin and Wesley and Dan shared the large bed. Although it was quite cold by the time we went to bed and Dulcinea has no heat, we were soon toasty warm under fleece sheets and blankets.
As I drifted off to sleep I wondered how different it would be if we were at sea instead of in a slip - I expect there would be a lot more rocking. Instead we fell asleep in gentle peace. My only memory during the night was hearing the occasional sound of Baloot's toe nails as she moved up and down the path between the beds. What a good dog, making sure all was well. No 5-foot butt-biting squid would board the ship under her command.
I look forward to more excursions on Dulcinea and what a lovely ending to our time in California. Thank you, Lee and Michelle. It was such a treat.
Onwards to Christmas.
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