- IMG_2165
Pre-dawn on the day of departure. The boat (a Catalina 350, which means it's 35 feet long) waits at the slip in Houston for her noble crew. - IMG 2271
Cranking through the produce box--squash soup and bok choy. - IMG 5501
More boats amassing. - IMG_2196
The starting area. Normally a hectic time full of tacks and jockeying for position, the lack of wind made it pretty tame. - IMG_2225
Sunrise on day 2. Notice the surface of the water: we have wind! At about 9pm the night before the wind slowly picked up and we had a good 6-7 hours at near-top-speed for the boat (7 knots, which is a bit more than 7 mph). - IMG_2166
The last picture you'll see of the whole boat... from here on out we're on it. - IMG 5524
I was also a fan of this little spot. - IMG_2217
Another sunset shot with a boat (not ours). - IMG_2201
In the boredom that was the race start, I caught this boat whose name I thought Leslie would appreciate. - IMG 2315
- IMG 5515
As does Patrick. - IMG 5514
Bryan finds a comfortable spot to wait for wind. - IMG 2407
Jessica and drowning swimmer (his lifeguard is AWOL) - IMG 2379
Costume construction begins: I knew that adult-sized hula hoop would come in handy some day. - IMG 2401
- IMG 5536
Another night shot attempt. The wind actually picked up terrifically around nightfall, and we spent most of the rest of the night at near full speed (about 8 mph). - IMG 5532
An attempt at communicating the glory of night sailing. Darkness on deck, the nearly full moon high above, and no other lights or sounds except the occaisonal stern light of a boat we're passing or the whistle of an oil rig. - IMG 2320
Same day, several hours later: getting ready for our night out to celebrate Laurel's 25th birthday. - IMG 2310
Oh, and now we jump to the drive home. Too bad you're missing those riveting shots of us sitting around in a circle, or organizing post-its. - IMG 2404
contest for best GSPP-related costumes - IMG 5511
To pass the time at the windless start, Sam unveils a squeeze box and proceeds to play classic sea shanties such as "Silent Night." Julie feigns a smile. - IMG 5513
Skippers Sam and Mike consult. - IMG 2380
Brazil - IMG 2402
My Space lays down the law. - IMG_2212
Sunset on the first day, after several hours of racing. Still no wind (notice the glassy surface of the water). - IMG 2411
- IMG 5519
More waiting (the boat has many lounging options). - IMG 2370
On to the next adventure: late-night hamburgers! - IMG 5496
The first of many episodes of daytime sleep for Patrick. - IMG 2312
bit of the prettiest (and most nausea-inducing) stretch of Hwy 1