Become Part of History: Join the Western Flyer Auction and 85th Anniversary Voyage to the Gulf of California

PRESS RELEASE

Moss Landing, CA — The Western Flyer Foundation is excited to announce two incredible opportunities for community members to celebrate the Western Flyer and become part of this historic fishing vessel’s legacy. Through an online auction bursting with creative gifts and experiences, and an upcoming voyage to Mexico’s Gulf of California in April 2025, supporters can help preserve this iconic vessel while advancing its educational and research programs.

Online Auction: Open Until September 30th

Running from September 1 through September 30, the Western Flyer Foundation’s online auction offers an extraordinary opportunity to engage with maritime history. Participants will choose from items and experiences tied to the Western Flyer, the vessel that played a pivotal role in John Steinbeck and Ed Ricketts’ groundbreaking 1940 expedition to Mexico’s Gulf of California. Auction highlights include an exclusive cruise for twenty aboard the Western Flyer, breakfast in the galley with the Captain, Sparky Enea’s famous spaghetti dinner prepared by his nephew Bob Enea, handcrafted items made from original Western Flyer wood, and even a beer milkshake happy hour on the deck of the Flyer. Proceeds from the auction will support the Foundation’s mission to inspire and educate through marine science and the arts.

“The Western Flyer has a magical quality that captivates people’s imaginations,” said Sherry Flumerfelt, Executive Director. “We’ve curated auction items that are fun, creative, and even a little bit quirky, offering participants a chance to immerse themselves in that Western Flyer magic while helping us maintain the boat and provide free programs for local students.”

Explore the full catalog and place bids at www.32auctions.com/westernflyer.

Return to the Gulf of California: April 15-25, 2025

The Western Flyer Foundation is also preparing for its 85th-anniversary return trip to the Gulf of California and is offering the public a chance to join part of the journey. Scheduled for April 15-25, 2025, the ten-night fundraising voyage will provide a unique opportunity for participants to retrace the steps of Steinbeck and Ricketts aboard Uncruise Adventures’ Safari Voyager, following alongside the Flyer. The trip will feature a blend of scientific exploration, outdoor activities, and opportunities for reflection, all guided by experts in literature, history, and marine science. The journey will not only honor the Western Flyer’s past but also help secure its future.

A limited number of cabins are available. For more information, visit www.westernflyer.org/join-the-western-flyers-historic-return-to-the-gulf-of-california/.

About the Western Flyer Foundation

The Western Flyer Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to preserving the legacy of the Western Flyer, the historic fishing vessel made famous by John Steinbeck and Ed Ricketts in their 1940 expedition to the Gulf of California. The Foundation offers free, hands-on, interactive research and education programs that bring the wonders of the ocean and the vessel’s rich history directly to students, fostering a deeper connection to the natural world.

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