Rikki-tikki-tavi... Steamboat to Martinez

We placed our Canon s230 into its waterproof housing for protection from the elements but there was little to photograph through the area where the Sacramento River joins the San Joaquin River and on through Suisun Bay. The moist gray clouds hung low and rendered every view monochromatic. All we saw were a few fisherman and small powerboats.

Here we are approaching the Benicia railroad bridge, which has a lifting section, and the fixed automobile bridge adjacent. We were unable to find the height of the RR bridge anywhere on the chart, but we called the harbormaster at Martinez, who was expecting us to arrive there for the night, and he informed us that clearance was 70 feet. Still, we went very slowly! We like to allow 60 feet for our height, just for peace of mind.

Darzee is assembled on the starboard wingdeck. You can see that we have plenty of room to slip him into the water, especially when we move the running backs over to the rail.




		Rio Vista Lift Bridge Here I am steering past the Rio Vista Lift Bridge. We read that the original bridge here was also a bascule and that was replaced by this four million-dollar span, dedicated April 1, 1960. The rain began as soon as we settled down for the night in Steamboat Slough. The next morning and entire rest of the day it was drizzly, foggy, and chilly. We were glad for the hardtop! It kept the rain out of the forward cabin. We moved the GPS and charts there so at least one of us could sit protected under the dodger or be below consulting the charts and in immediate contact.

We placed our Canon s230 into its waterproof housing for protection from the elements but there was little to photograph through the area where the Sacramento River joins the San Joaquin River and on through Suisun Bay. The moist gray clouds hung low and rendered every view monochromatic. All we saw were a few fisherman and small powerboats. Here we are approaching the Benicia railroad bridge, which has a lifting section, and the fixed automobile bridge adjacent. We were unable to find the height of the RR bridge anywhere on the chart, but we called the harbormaster at Martinez, who was expecting us to arrive there for the night, and he informed us that clearance was 70 feet. Still, we went very slowly! We like to allow 60 feet for our height, just for peace of mind. Darzee is assembled on the starboard wingdeck. You can see that we have plenty of room to slip him into the water, especially when we move the running backs over to the rail.

	On toward Napa...