SSS Orion Summer Cruise II - August 6-16, 2004

Scouts cannot just come to the dock on August 6th and cast off on the latest adventure.  There are lots of details that must be arranged before departure.  The boat must be cleaned, food planned and bought, equipment repaired, systems checked, and navigation planned and approved by the Commodore.  Once underway, Scouts looked forward to meeting several other units in Rio Vista, and we cruised the last several miles with the Chaser.
Sea Scouts at Rio Vista

The cruise comes complete with a daily routine. Equipment must be maintained or repaired; Nate took care of the lines on the life boat.
Nate fixes lifeboat lines.

Chelsea supervised the galley preparations.
Chelsea supervised the galley.

Greg began the navigation plans for the next day's cruise.
Greg doing navigation.

Derek serves as helmsman.  Each Scout learned how to stand duty at all of the watch stations.
Derek stoond watch at the helm.

Each Scout was responsible for a lesson in ship's equipment or operating systems.  More experienced Scouts helped newer Scouts prepare; for example, Nate helped Tara with her lesson plans. 
Nate helping Tara.

Rank Advancements are of great importance, too.   Chelsea helps Mike learn to tie some of the more advenced knots.
Chelsea and Mike work on rank advancements.

Everyone got to learn about the fuel system.  This rather complex lesson probably was not on any of the crew's list of "things I thought I wanted to know or even ever thought about", but after the lesson, everyone had a much better appreciation of what it takes to run the Orion's  engines.  There are tanks, filters, fuel bypass valves, feed lines, return lines, secondary filters, . . .   Lots of good information.
Nick showing the crew the fuel system.

Of course, there is the fun that must be planned, too.  The crew leadership made sure there was some fun each day.  Some of it was even planned.  The question was how to fit as much play time into the daylight hours. 
The crew plans the day's activities.

There were lots of toys from which to choose.
Water toys

Scouts sailed the Catalina.
The Catalina waits for a crew.
 The crew prepares the Catalina
 The Catalina embarks on one of several voyages.
Later a more experienced crew tries a windier day.
 What a great sailing day!
 WOW!!

Scouts learned to wind surf and sail smaller boats, too.  Sometimes they just had fun swimming.
Scouts sailed the Catalina.
Chelsea and Derek learn to wind surf.
 Chelsea and Greg sail the Banshee.
 Wind surfing and swimming.
More sailing and wind surfing.
 Play!
 Playing in Georgianna Slough.

Three Scouts completed the Mile Swim.
A mile looks awfully far!
 Greg at the beginning of the mile. Victory Circle!

The crew made icecream,
Making ice cream.

And planned to play charades,
The crew plans their charade.

and attended a luau.
luau

And even though this was all fun, sometimes the crew felt REALLY tired.
Nate preparing to present his lesson.

There was a service project to do and Derek and Greg fell to with a right good will.  The docks at Westgate landing looked lots better when we left.
replacing the dock rubrail at Westgate Landing.

But eventually it was time to head home.  All the gear had to be stowed and secured.
Putting equipment away
 Even the innertubes had to be deflated.

When we arrived at Brennan Island on the way home, we docked for the night and did some anchoring practice.
Anchoring practice at Brennan Island.

That night the crew was pretty well beat.  In the middle of summer, they were nestled all snug in their bunks.
Tired crew I
 Tired Crew II

We spent one last sunset aboard.
Sunset at Brennan Island

We arrived home full of adventure stories but ready to go again - someday.
Home! Take me home!