I wish we'd had the camera out on our trip down the San Juaquin River on Dec.2. The day started out cold and miserable with fog masking the view except for a few feet ahead. We motored out of Delta Bay at just after 6 AM and trusted Michael's familiarity with the river to see us safely past sunrise, when the heat would eventually burn off the fog.

When the engine quit mid-river, I tried not to worry. Surely the big tankers that like to ply that part of the Delta would wait out the fog. Wouldn't they? I listened intently while Michael went below to change filters. He is now determined to install a polishing system.

Obviously, we avoided a major collision, and didn't spy one of the big boys until we came near Antioch, at about 10:00. It's amazing how little wake they produce for something going as fast as this one was.

We took turns steering, all gloved and hatted and dressed in our foulies. We also drank a lot of hot broth to keep warm. By the time we approached Benecia, the current had us bouncing along at over 9 knots, and in San Pablo Bay, we hit 9.6 over ground. Very exciting. It helped to make up for the slow beginning.

Michael did a superb job of aiming straight for the slip, and then started backing away. "The solar panels," he said, pointing. Ah. The huge cement pilings were so close they would have knocked the panels right off our rails. I lowered them and we entered without a hitch. It's always good when our big old gilr behaves herself. Delta docking had always been tricky because the current was strong and always sideways to the slip, and the wind could come up in no time.

I'll try to upload pics of this beautiful marina soon.