When I called the US Coast Guard Station Galveston to find out the security protocol for the arrival of the new USS Texas submarine I was told the we would need to be 500 yards away - read as 5 football field lengths.

Kem and I thought it would be a great idea to go to the Galveston Yacht Club (GYC) marina and get a place on the transient dock fronting the channel so we'd have a front row seat a lot closer to the flotilla than we could get to by boat.

The square rigged sailing vessel Elissa will provide a welcome escort to the USS Texas to pier 10 located directly across the entrance way to the GYC marina.

AJ and Gayle Ross aboard Agape' (of the Memorial Day Storm fame) took the trip as well. They got a covered slip and joined us aboard Spirit Dancer on Monday.

Ask AJ and Gayle about the excitement they felt having a Coast Guard gun boat charge toward them at full power, swing around to their side and turn the loud hailer on them. We were following close behind on Spirit Dancer and got to watch the show.

They stopped by our boat as well to greet us and let us know to stay on the North side of the channel. We let them know we were going to the Galveston Yacht Basin and they gave us brief instructions on how to enter without violating the security zone.

On Monday morning LYC members Steve and Marisa Hegyesi joined us on board and provided the mimosas to toast the arrival.

Rhese and Karen Hoylman and son Rhese the IV, his wife Marelize, and children David, Peter and daughter Kirsten and her friend Jess joined us on board.

The night before, Karen and Rhese, long-time friends and new GYC members, invited us to a steak dinner cook out at their new condo facing the gulf in the Galvestonian high rise tower. What a great view. And what a great dinner. Afterwards, we stopped by the Galveston Yacht Club for desert and a night cap. We met 25 year GYC members Bubba and Lydia Black. They too were excited about the USS Texas coming in so we invited them aboard Spirit Dancer for the viewing. The party is shaping up.

On Monday morning at 6:30 AM, Kem and I watched the Elissa head out of her slip to rendezvous with the USS Texas.

Several hours later, as the arrival time neared, we could hear reports on the VHF radio of the location of the Elissa and the USS Texas. The anticipation, excitement and all around good cheer was in the air. More and more festive and friendly GYC members arrived on the pier for the event.

And then the moment arrived. We stood in awe and admiration as the USS Texas sailed up the channel with part of her crew on deck in dress whites.

The Coast Guard was busy keeping the spectator boats away. One large cruiser was seen backing away and backing away and backing away from the security perimeter. And a sail boat was observed making some interesting turns to move further away.

Steve popped the cork, Marisa made the mimosas and we all toasted the USS Texas.