- 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_2166
The last picture you'll see of the whole boat... from here on out we're on it. - IMG_2171
Motoring out of Houston through a channel. - IMG_2176
Dawn on the first day (before the start of the race). - IMG_2178
From left to right: Sam (the skipper), Mike (the... uh... other skipper), Doug. - IMG_2180
Dolphins surf on the wakes of huge tankers, purely for pleasure. - IMG_2183
There were about 200 boats in the race... this is the line of boats in the channel behind us leaving Houston and heading to Galveston and the starting line. - IMG 5496
The first of many episodes of daytime sleep for Patrick. - 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_2199
The start! No wind at all. Notice doug holding out the jib hoping for some kind of action. - 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 5514
Bryan finds a comfortable spot to wait for wind. - IMG 5515
As does Patrick. - IMG_2201
In the boredom that was the race start, I caught this boat whose name I thought Leslie would appreciate. - IMG 5519
More waiting (the boat has many lounging options). - IMG 5524
I was also a fan of this little spot. - IMG_2212
Sunset on the first day, after several hours of racing. Still no wind (notice the glassy surface of the water). - IMG_2217
Another sunset shot with a boat (not ours).