- IMG_2246
Our happy family: Julie, Mike, Patrick, Sam, Doug. - IMG 5552
- IMG 5551
- IMG 5550
- IMG 5549
Look at the ease with which Bryan steers. - IMG 5548
A bird that miraculously managed to get miles and miles off shore stops for a rest on our boat. He seemed tame but was probably just too exhausted to hop away. - IMG 5543
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A view from the deck up at the mainsail and jib. - IMG_2243
Bryan pulls on some lines. - IMG_2242
Doug sailoring. - IMG_2241
More fun with the whisker pole. - IMG_2239
Bryan doing some random sailoring. - IMG_2238
As the wind dies late in the morning on the second day, we bust out the "whisker pole," a pole to hold out the jib (sail at the front of the boat) perpendicular to the boat and allow us to sail with the light wind at our backs. - IMG 5542
A gas/oil pipe in the foreground, and a rig off in the distance. This is what we had to stay up all night watching out for. - IMG_2236
Noble captain at the helm. - IMG_2235
A noticeably happier if scruffier crew. - IMG 5538
Julie at the helm. - 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 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_2217
Another sunset shot with a boat (not ours). - IMG_2212
Sunset on the first day, after several hours of racing. Still no wind (notice the glassy surface of the water). - IMG 5524
I was also a fan of this little spot. - IMG 5519
More waiting (the boat has many lounging options). - 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 5513
Skippers Sam and Mike consult. - 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_2199
The start! No wind at all. Notice doug holding out the jib hoping for some kind of action.