DAY 1

SATURDAY, JULY 24, 2004

THE GATHERING - Civitavecchi, Italy

Today was the gathering.

Twenty-eight of us arrived at differing times and by varying modes of transportation to the four-mast gleaming sailing ship "m.s.y.Wind Spirit" moored at Civitavecchi, an ancient seaport north of Rome, Italy.

We come together to celebrate the 50th wedding anniversary of Jim and Bobbie Knuppe on a seven-day sail through the Italian, French and Spanish Riviera. Each of us feels very special to have been invited on this "voyage of love".

Collectively, the twenty-eight of us will fly a total of 336,000 miles to be part of this once-in-a-lifetime occasion. Captain Jim will pilot his Citation Excel Jet, "The Dream Machine", with his beloved bride Bobbie by his side - from the San Francisco Bay Area to Rome and home again from Barcelona - a remarkable feat for a man and woman married 50 years!

Jim and Bobbie will lead this aniversary adventure - as well as their three children and entire Knuppe family clan. There is son Michael with wife Kathryn (Kathy) and sons Travis, Tyler and Trent. Daughter Jacqueline (Jacque) and husband Jeff have two daughters, Rebecca (Becca) and Lindsey. Son Martin and his wife Susann have five children - son Austin, and daughters Catherine, Lauren, Shaylynn and Victoria (Torie). Both daughters-in-love have brought along their mothers - Kathy’s mother Jeannie (who loves hugs), and Susann’s mother Carmen.

Also present are two bridesmaids from the original 1954 wedding party: Bobbie’s cousin, Sr. Marian Castelluccio, who is a Dominican nun, and Bobbie’s school friend, Elida Douthitt, the Maid of Honor. Bea Avey is here, too; her beloved husband John was one of Jim’s groomsmen.

Lastly, there are 5 non-Knuppe’s present - Fran Horn (a friend of 30 years), Denise and Gary Lyon (Denise worked with Bobbie for one year to arrange this trip to Italy and cruise), and Melanie and Jerome Blaha (veterans of the Knuppe’s African and Australian adventures).

Embarkation began about 2:00 pm. The gleaming "Wind Spirit" sailing ship holds 148 guests and 90 crew – we know that we’ll be pampered and well taken care of. The vessel is 440 feet long, and has four huge masts (each 204 feet tall) holding 22,000 square feet of gleaming white sail. The ship can glide silently, under sail, through the Mediterranean water at 10 to 15 knots- and of course there are diesel engines should they be needed.

Captain Martin Scott and Hotel Manager Geert De Meyer warmly greet each of us, as we walk up the gangplank to begin our adventure. The gracious Indonesian crew escorts us to our staterooms. Jim and Bobbie, as is befitting, are ensconced in the Owner’s Suite.

Everything about the "Wind Spirit" is warm, friendly and close at hand. With only 148 passengers, the ship is small and wraps its "arms" around you. At every turn we run into a member of the anniversary party. The ship has the feel and ambiance of a privately chartered vessel.

We report to the lounge to sign-in, and to greet and meet members of the anniversary party. Walking into the room, we spot the Knuppe’s right away. They look very happy! After hugs and a welcome, we are handed a cold Mimosa, and fill out onboard registration papers.

Our cabins are well appointed. Unlike gigantic cruise ships, we are not far above the water line. Double portholes beckon us to look out at the landscape and summer vistas of Italy. After unpacking, there is much for us to do - book beauty and massage appointments, sign up for shore excursions, read the cabin directory, join the mandatory life boat drill and explore the ship.

As the "Wind Spirit" sets sail, we find our way to the ship’s pool lounge area. The vessel slowly slips away from the dock to the sounds of the theme from "Christopher Columbus". We continue to meet and greet, and toast each other and the beginning of our trip and anniversary celebration. We have gathered!