I hope that Karl Kruger, the only paddle-boarder to finish the race, has an agent waiting in Ketchikan. There are endorsements, exclusive interviews, personal appearance fees, etc. Paddle-boarding is a very fast-growing pastime with millenials with leisure resources at hand. Then, there is a clip from a video very shortly after he greeted his family on the dock which will be seen forever in R2AK history. Don't fuck it up, man. Next to cross the...
A competent Stand Up Paddle Boarder is, after 2 weeks of wind and tides and sleeping on the beach, is about to cross the end-line in Ketchikan. He could do it this evening, but he might knock it off until morning before going in. He's been very disciplined in sticking with his plan for a day's work and a night's rest, which no doubt played a role in making it. Given the low winds for the bulk of the race, he had an advantage, and leads a...
My cardio doctor wanted an ultrasound of my leg arteries, figured it would take about an hour. I went into his office for one on my head and neck a couple of weeks ago. This time I asked if I could get the same thing done on the peninsula, and he filled out a referral to an outfit in Sequim. I was happy. We said our goodbyes and he ran off like the busy big-city heart surgeon he is. Before I got out the door he caught me and said that I could...
Washington did manage to pass a few minor laws concerning the cannabis industry, but that's been it. It's system is working well, though. Oregon's participation in this experiment was opening up the industry to nearly all comers, and watching out for rules that slow down business development. That seems to have worked quite nicely, as the number of licensed businesses grew much more quickly than in Washington. They screwed up by having the...
Highway 20 is undergoing urgent repair of a culvert and is closed between Port Townsend and 101. While everyone was warned about the closure, the signed detour route goes through downtown Chimacum. So all PT traffic goes through Chimacum. But no one warned that Chimacum is a four-way stop, and it's impossible to move that many vehicles through the intersection. School is out and the PT tourist season goes into high gear now. Then, the many...
A team of three brothers from Marblehead, Mass was first across the line in Ketchikan at around 1500 today. Minutes behind was the big boat from Anacortes, Wash. They had been racing head-to-head for the last 24 hours at least. The winner gets $10,000. Second place gets a set of steak knives. Obviously, those in row boats and on paddleboards aren't in it for the money (which can be eaten up just to get your boat back home). The bulk of the fleet...
Dang. I hate leaving every place, but leaving Pt Hudson was painful. The Race to Alaska is going extremely well. There are actually close races happening within the main race. There are some broken boats, some broken spirits, but no broken bodies. First boat across might be tonight or tomorrow. I had a few days to meet about a quarter of the racers, so when I watch them I have a name to place with the boat, which makes following the race...
Since the start on Sunday from Victoria, the winds have been from 0-10 knots, mostly 0. Hence, advantage goes to human-powered vessels. But there has been a little bit more breeze lately and the trimaran sail boats have started to move a bit. Behind the paddle boards and row boats are the monohull sailboats. Should the winds cooperate, the trimarans should finish quickly. But it's a possible big story if someone finishes the race under human...
All the racers made it to Victoria, but a handful of boats were broken. The real start of the race is Sunday at noon. Besides being stormy yesterday, the marina was empty and this place was lonely as hell. But that was yesterday. Today a motor-yacht club has filled up the slips. They seem to be all in the 30-50 feet range. I'm sure they are nice people, but they won't be as much fun as the R2AK folk. Meanwhile it's SteamPunk weekend in PT, which...
First, a follow-up. I had a red tag on my truck for having a second vehicle in my space, and I owed $5. Team Sistership moved it this morning, but now were on their way to Ketchikan. I know the lady who runs the marina and all was cool. Team Sistership better do well... I woke up at 0330 to steady rain. Port Townsend has very minimal lighting, so folk were running around with flashlights getting ready to go by 0500. It was dark and gloomy but I...
One of the most friendly teams I've met is Sisitership (Sistership.org). The boat is a totally tricked out trimaran, from watching the crowds on the docks it's a favorite. Sistirership is an organization in the loosest sense of the word, but is totally dedicated to getting women on the gnarliest machines and in the worst conditions possible on the sea. They're local. The leader of the group provides her Toyota pickup for the team's use...
The last of the entrants arrived this morning. As I write I can point to and identify the team names of about 30 boats, 4 of which can be considered amongst the favorites. I've made it a point to meet each of the crews and found some really interesting people. And some real nut jobs. Internationally-recognized professional teams, and local rowers. Pedal power seems to becoming the preferred alternate power source when a system can be designed...