But when he got there… the dock was bare
I have been the roving reporter for the Bear’s-Eye View of Alameda for over three years, and during that time I have had a few challenging assignments. But none of them posed the same difficulties for me that covering the Woodstock Water Shuttle Inaugural Service did.
It started when I got to the dock on Wednesday and found out that only pets that fit in “enclosed carriers” that passengers could carry on their laps were allowed on the water shuttle. Well, this was a problem for two reasons. First, I don’t have a carrier, and second, with a weight of 90+ pounds, I am not sure my human companion would survive the seven-minute trip to Jack London Square with me on his lap.
Coverage denied.
Given these new parameters, I called on Li’l Dude, our pup reporter who weighs about 11 pounds and has a carrier, and asked him to get down to the dock at Bohol Circle Immigrant Park and cover the water shuttle story for me. But when he got there, the dock was bare.
Apparently, there was a mechanical issue that required a quick repair, and Woodstock was back in business on Friday. Li’l Dude and his human companion—with carrier in hand—made it back to the dock just in time to catch the 8:45 a.m. trip to Jack London Square and did a great job on getting the writeup done in time for this report.
Check out his video of his trip:
In other happenings, I checked out Radio Day by the Bay, the open house sponsored by the California Historical Radio Society. This group has been doing a great job (and spending a big chunk of money) of restoring the historic building to its original grandeur. I can say without a doubt, this place is ground zero for everything radio. I will continue to cover the progress of the historic renovation in my upcoming reports.
On the home front, the Great Deck Project is really moving along as we reach the milestones for day 13 and 14. After seeing all the cross bracing installed under the deck, I know where I will be sheltering in the event of a major earthquake. And, now that the rail cap is on, things are coming into focus as to how my HC will be using the space.
I reported a few weeks ago on the rogue tomato plant that just popped up in front of my house. It is now over eight feet tall and has been dubbed “The Leaning Tower of Tomato.” If it continues to grow at this rate, I will be elevating it to “magic bean stalk” status and keeping my eye out for giants.
While on one of my walks this week, I came upon a dried-out corn cob that totally freaked out my human companion. Apparently, Bear—the original roving reporter—managed to eat two well buttered and salted ears of corn that were left on the counter after dinner. A week late, he was undergoing emergency surgery to remove an intestinal blockage cause by three pieces of the cob. So, to all my canine friends, let’s be careful out there and stay away from corn cobs.
I will end this week’s report with a heads-up that you might want to avoid Central Avenue from Grand Street to Walnut Street this week. It looks like a major construction project will start on Monday and last until Friday.
Until next Sunday, this is Mouf encouraging everyone who doesn’t need a dog carrier or can fit in one to try the free water shuttle to Jack London Square.
Mouf, Roving Reporter
Bear’s-Eye View of Alameda
Mouf and his human companion can be reached via [email protected]. Their stories are collected at AlamedaPost.com/Jeff-Cambra/. All photos and videos by Jeff Cambra.
