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It was a beautiful day at Santa Cruz: clear skies, 72 degrees, 20-25 knots of wind. There was a breeze that moved the boat easily as he would have wanted. We toasted Neptune with 151 proof rum and sipped a bit ourselves. Bear's kids (Todd, Sara & Gavin) along with Gavin's wife Michele and the three grandkids were all there. Two couples who we knew from before our wedding were there along with several old family friends and someone from his men's team. We had 4 dozen roses and 2 dozen rose pedals to scatter also. Soon we had a river of flowers flowing off the stern of the boat. Admiral Nelson's ashes (the parrot) were scattered first, then Bear's. Bear's ashes floated in the waves as we slowly sailed away. We returned to cross the river of flowers then continued in a gentle sail for another half hour.
After a gathering at the Crow's Nest restaurant for a small meal we departed. Sara, Gavin & Michele and the grandkids spent the next 4 hours (rest of the day) on the Santa Cruz Boardwalk. I took a long, beautiful walk on the beach as the sun set.
Bear, we honor you.