This weekend I had the distinct treat of taking a boat ride through the San Francisco Bay during Fleet Week, a tradition during which active military ships dock in various cities, allowing the crew to visit tourist attractions.
In San Francisco, it means millions of people infiltrating the city and a fantastic air show by the Blue Angles and other amazing flight crews. Also, a copious number of uniformed sailors along San Francisco's Embarcadero.
The beauty of being on the water (aside from the obvious beauty of simply being on the water) was that we could escape the millions of land lubbers on shore while still enjoying the unspeakable beauty that is this city and the bay that surrounds it.
Thanks to my father and his friend who captains the vessel, we took the ride on the USS Potomac. Built in 1934, it was once President Franklin Roosevelt's presidential yacht.
Pretty sweet, right fellow history geeks?
Now, it carts gortex-clad fleet week enthusiasts through the bay. We were fed turkey sandwiches and wine. FDR (or at least a guy that looks a lot like him) still graces the ship, answering any possible question you have (or don't have) about the man himself.
It was a blast.
Here are some of the things we saw (you can click on the image for a closer view, or not :)
The Patriots Jet Team over Alcatraz, complete with very patriotic exhaust (which we were told is environmentally friendly. Gotta love SF.)
The Blue Angels coming over the Golden Gate:
A closer view of the Blue Angels (the show was canceled after this fly over because of fog. And damn was it foggy.)
They fly about 2 feet from each other, so the elements are bad news bears for safety, hence the cancellation:
Finally, my happy family (photo credit: nice lady who is intimidated by big cameras):
Thanks, Dad, for a wonderful time. Fleet Week will never be the same.
what a neat experience. that's too bad the fog rolled in, but at least the blue angels got to do one flyover! i have fond memories of the blue angels. as a kid when the blue angels flew in for the annual El Toro Marine Air Base Show, the would come in a week early to practice. Their practice area was right over our neighborhood, everyone would stand in the street after work and school watching as they would do their stunts and formations and come zooming over the house.
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