Tonight's Thursday race was cancelled after about 25 boats wallowed around for a while in nearly calm conditions. Erich and Adam joined me and Joyce for the attempt at racing tonight. I didn't bother taking any pictures.
There was a get-together/happy hour party at Cancun Charlie's after we got back in. As a matter of fact, that may have been the reason the race was cancelled after only a 15-minute postponement...because the race committee wanted to get some of that free food!
Anyway, that's it for tonight. Next Thursday we will begin starting our races at 6:00PM instead of 6:30, for the remainder of the season. Sunset is getting earlier every night; it's about 7:25PM right now, and we're losing 2-3 minutes a DAY!
We just got back from 9 days on the boat, most of it spent in Block Island. We headed out last Saturday, spent 2 days anchored in Mattituck, then on to Block, where we anchored for a night and then picked up a mooring right in front of Block Island Boat Basin for the next 4 nights.
Sunset at our anchorage in the Great Salt Pond at Block Island, also known as New Harbor.
Joyce on a beach on the western side of Block Island. She's wearing her snazzy new long sleeved T-shirt.
Here I am, enjoying a cooling beverage at The Oar, the restaurant with the best grilled Mahi-mahi sandwiches.
Joyce at the beach just below the Southeast Lighthouse, where we body-surfed in the breaking waves.
The red Wrangler we used to explore the island. There's nothing so cool as having a four wheel drive with high clearance to find those out of the way places.
Joyce standing on Mohegan Bluffs, overlooking the beach we were at earlier, with the historic Southeast Light in the background.
I'm standing in front of the Lighthouse. They had to move it back around 300 feet from the bluffs or erosion would have claimed it.
Joyce at the Lighthouse. They say the ghosts of the original light keepers still roam the building, but I think it's just a spooky legend. I mean, who would believe that ghosts actually stand around, looking through the windows? Uh....
The last day we got caught in some awful weather, but at least the wind and waves were behind us and we got home in record time.
Tonight was the third and last race of the "Woman at the Helm" series, and it was a fun one!
RESULTS UPDATE: 1 Sentinel 2 Full Tilt 3 Defiant 4 Schock Therapy 5 Bruja 6 Straight Up 7 Black Hawk 8 Paikea 9 Enigma
Based on these results, Full Tilt will win either 2nd place overall (if best two of the three races are counted), or 3rd place overall (if all three races are counted and the first race placing is the tie-breaker). Either way, Joyce did a GREAT job this season, helming us through a series of tough races. Well done!
Joyce, Adam and J.R. (R to L) during the pre-start. You can't help but notice Joyce's intense concentration in this picture; she was completely "in the zone" for the race tonight.
Erich was instrumental in keeping the leeward side of the boat properly balanced during the light winds on the first leg. I don't know how we could have managed without his holding down the port side of the boat!
J.R. framed by a typically awesome sunset as we head back toward the start on the 3rd leg of the race.
Joyce happily sails us over several boats that she caught up to on the final leg of the race. She was trying to look serious while I was pointing the camera at her, but she failed miserably.
The tactician enjoying a post-race cigar back at the marina, along with a post-race beer (not pictured). Our crew hung out at the dock for a good hour or two after we got back, because we had pizza and ice-cold beer, and we were all feeling pretty happy after a good race.
I won't know how we did until possibly after we leave for a week on the boat this weekend, so look for results here maybe after we get back. We're thinking of going to Block Island, depending on the winds and weather; but no matter where we end up, I'm sure we'll have a relaxing week away from work and the pressures of the Lamont campaign (see my other blog at "Connecticut Bob")
If you're a Democrat, August 8th is the day to take some time and vote. Ned Lamont is battling an entrenched career politician, who has publicly stated that he will turn his back on the Democratic Party should he lose tomorrow rather than support the rightful winner of the Primary.
Is this the guy you want governing your state for the next six years?
And to follow the campaign with live blogging and video, check out "Connecticut Bob" on Primary Day.
