The flag on the building top on Telegraph Hill is fluttering moderately in a southwest breeze.
The sun is now far enough north to illuminate the north side of the financial district buildings.
Both Alcatraz ferries were in port and, as far as I could see, they never left, so perhaps Alcatraz visiting was shut down for some reason.
As we headed down the cityfront, behind us this sailboat was passing the eastern shore of Alcatraz.
A Coast Guard fast boat blasted past us, heading west.
The north face of the Ferry Building clock tower is now illuminated by the evening sun and the clock was showing 5:46 pm.
Ferries were docked at the Ferry Building to transport downtown workers after the close of business.
As we continued on toward the A-B span of the Bay Bridge, this lovely dark hulled sailboat was sailing through the B-D span, heading north.
She wsa flying full canvas with a 100 jib and was looking good as she headed northward, sailing a bit off the wind.
South of the Bay Bridge, this sailboat put out jib only and headed toward the bridge.
In the distance, the lighthouse on Yerba Buena was basking in the late sunshine.
Behind us, that dark-hulled sailboat had tacked onto starboard tack and was headed for the city.
South of the Bay Bridge, this boat that looks like a patrol boat was steaming toward Yerba Buena.
That jib only sailboat sailed under the D-E span of the bridge adn then tacked to sail parallel to the bridge.
The Bay Bridge was gleaming in the late afternoon sunshine as we approached the A-B span.
We sailed under the A-B span and quickly came about and headed back under the bridge, now sailing with the current and eventually slogging through the wake of this pilot boat that crossed in front of us.
That dark-hulled sailboat was now retreating toward the Bay Bridge again.
We sailed out into the central bay, sailing west on port tack close reach, and then tacked toward the lee of pier 45, now noticiing that the flags on the end of pier 39 were fluttering moderately in a breeze of about 10 knots-- perfect for full canvas sailing!
After approaching pier 45, we tacked to sail westward again.
Behind us, this red-hulled sailboat was motoring west and pulling a dingy behind her.
Off in the north, Alcatraz was backing in the evening sunshine...
.... as was the city.
Further in the north, this jib only sailboat was sailing eastward past the southern shore of Angel Island.
In front of us, this sailboat was returning to the bay just inside the north tower of the GGB.
Still outside the gate, Adventure Cat was heading back toward the bay.
The breeze had shifted into the west so we had to fall off toward Yellow Bluff, and then tacked toward the city, sailing a point opposite the south tower and then tacking toward the gate. ADVENTURE CAT passed us to starboard, looking good. It's good to have her back on the bay and doing sunset sails again.
We sailed out the gate near midspan of the GGB which was not brilliantly illuminated as sundown was near.
The south tower looked good outlined against the blue sky behind.
We just ducked out the gate and then came about and headed back inside as the sun began to set behind us.
The sun was glowing brightly and brilliantly as sundown neared.
No clouds were on the horizon to hide the sundown so we could see the sun begin to drop below the water of the ocean.
The sun and sky were glowing brilliantly as the sun started to disappear.
The sun was half gone and maintaining the round shape so the atmosphere was not distorting the shape as it usually does.
Following the sundown, a marmalade sunset sky developed above the horizon.
We ghosted toward home port, doing some wing on wing and also gybing back and forth as the sunset behind us persisted.
Pt Bonita was outlined in shadow with the dusty orange sunset behind.
It was dark and city lights were bright on shore as we passed Aquatic Park.....
... and financial district building lights were bright as we ghosted past pier 45..
Eventually, we spotted the full moon rising over the East Bay hills just to the south of Yerba Buena Island-- a dusky orange color and bisected by some clouds over the hills.
The moon took on a spectacular yellow orange color as she rose above the clouds.
She stayed large and brilliant as she rose in the dark sky.
Glowing brighter as she rose higher.
What a spectacular sight!!!!! Nature at her finest!
As she rose higher, she became a bit smaller but still brilliantly yellow-orange.
We ghosted past the east marina and noticed that some kind of laser light show was being projected on the tower on Forbes Island. Here is a video clip of this.
After passing the marina sea wall, we headed up and doused the main, having earlier furled the jib to be able to sail direct downwind and await the moonrise. The flood current was pushing us eastward as we tied up the main and so we had to motor around pier 35 and toward the marina entrance while finishing tying up the main and preparing for landing. We played the flood current well and landed nicely. 3 brilliant hours on the bay left us feeling full of pleasure.
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