- 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 5501
More boats amassing. - 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_2196
The starting area. Normally a hectic time full of tacks and jockeying for position, the lack of wind made it pretty tame. - IMG 5524
I was also a fan of this little spot. - IMG_2166
The last picture you'll see of the whole boat... from here on out we're on it. - 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 5515
As does Patrick. - IMG 5514
Bryan finds a comfortable spot to wait for wind. - 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 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 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 5519
More waiting (the boat has many lounging options). - IMG_2180
Dolphins surf on the wakes of huge tankers, purely for pleasure. - IMG_2212
Sunset on the first day, after several hours of racing. Still no wind (notice the glassy surface of the water). - IMG 5496
The first of many episodes of daytime sleep for Patrick. - IMG_2171
Motoring out of Houston through a channel. - IMG_2178
From left to right: Sam (the skipper), Mike (the... uh... other skipper), Doug. - IMG_2199
The start! No wind at all. Notice doug holding out the jib hoping for some kind of action. - IMG_2176
Dawn on the first day (before the start of the race). - 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_2235
A noticeably happier if scruffier crew. - IMG 5538
Julie at the helm. - IMG 5596
Patrick, exultant, with trophy. - IMG 5557
After a good nights sleep and a shower, we spent the next day lazing around Port Aransas. Here, Bryan has convinced Julie and Doug that despite the dead fish on the Beach, a swim is in order given the nice waves and relative warmth of the water (compared at least to norcal standards). - IMG_2242
Doug sailoring. - IMG 5588
Julie makes full use of the free West Marine hat and West Marine light-up plastic ice cube. - IMG 5549
Look at the ease with which Bryan steers.