Reunion attendees enjoyed side trips to Long Beach to see the Queen Mary, Capistrano to see the mission, and the many places visited by the San Diego trolley. Our planned tour to the Navy Base was voided by an edict placing military bases on special alert for terrorists, so we enjoyed a bus tour of San Diego and vicinity in its place.

Our bus stopped for lunch at the Bali Hai Restaurant on Harbor Island, a delightful spot with wide-angle views of San Diego Bay and Harbor. Continuing on to Coronado, we stopped along the beach for a "sandbox break", then on to Sea Park Village where Jerry Lewis' yacht was docked. (Is Art Bownes' new boat THAT big?)

Speaking of Art Bowne, did you see him dancing with one of the "senior" women? There was a New Orleans type band in this gazebo in one section of Sea Park Village where several "senior" ladies, dressed as flappers, were dancing/marching around to the tune of "good ole New Orleans" type music. The next thing we saw was one of those women out there on the pavement dancing with Art. Well, Art looked like a centipede, with those legs going every which way. Another "flapper" got Bob Ferguson, and around the gazebo they went. Bob had a lot of explaining to do about that woman. We reluctantly reboarded the bus to reurn to our hotel.

The Saturday evening banquet began with a prayer by George Breeden, and concluded with a surprise. We were entertained by the award-winning Sweet Adelines of San Diego. They favored us with their harmonius renditions of several old, and a few new songs - an outstanding performance.

Tex Anders (left) recalls the days of the Yangtze "River Rats" with Ray Querey (center) and Art Bowne (right) at the 1998 Reunion in San Diego.

Thanks to Rich and Jerrie Johns for planning this event. Jerrie, incidentally, is a Sweet Adeline in her home state - Texas.

A special guest joined us this year, Commander Arthur (Tex) Anders, USN (Ret). He was introduced by his good friend Dave Miller, who explained why Tex felt an allegiance with the Robinson. Click here to read why.

We owe the success of our reunion to the hard work of the few individuals who dedicated their time and talents to its service. Aside from those already mentioned we thank: Fred and Lois Robertson for stocking and manning the hospitality room, the Allens, Ernsbergers, Fergusons, Grunys, Robertsons, Schuremans, Schwerins, and Tinkers for donating raffle gifts, and, last but far from least, our tireless board members and officers: Rich Gruny, Don Fahlberg, Rich Tinker, Ralph Moore, George Schureman, Bob Ferguson and Ray Querey.