I am sitting at the Old Triangle pub in Halifax, Nova Scotia, listening to McGinty, my favorite local band, sing "Wasted on the Way" by CSN (and a host of Maritime songs). My wife and son are in town, though not here now, and tomorrow we'll all go to Lunenberg, the birthplace of the Bluenose. All this after a spectacular (if not entirely successful ( Read more... )

Two weeks ago, I responded to a "crew needed" post for the Marblehead to Halifax Ocean Race, now less than 4 weeks away. Neither of my two regular rides, American Girl and Shooting Star, is participating, so I was a little desperate for a ride. I had a response within hours: Welcome aboard ( Read more... )

I'm hoping not to jinx it by mentioning it, but I seem to have stumbled into a great opportunity to do the Marblehead to Halifax Ocean Race again this year. Found a very eager owner and crew with no offshore racing experience, in need of a watch captain with experience. Me ( Read more... )

If this were a proper blogging medium, one wouldn't waste 30 minutes pouring one's soul out here only to click or type the wrong thing and find it all vanished. Irrecoverably.

Hawking may have shown that even black holes leak information about what came before, on near-eternal timelines, but LJ does not.

Oh well. So much for one last try here.

It took me six years, but I've finally done it. 635 miles of North Atlantic in a 40-foot boat. Got home tonight, after some days of partying with crew and celebrating with hollywd and Lachlan. A dream come true.

Next dream up: doing this race with my son. 2024 or '26, most likely.

hollywd deserves infinite thanks for helping make this happen. I did not go to ( Read more... )

Interesting morning commute. Passing through Newark Penn, changing from NJ Transit to PATH, I spotted a German shepherd sauntering into the station, followed by two cops. Police dogs are in the station all the time, so this wouldn't have raised an eyebrow, normally ( Read more... )

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I had some very exciting news this week. American Girl will enter the 2010 Newport to Bermuda Race, with yours truly as the Navigator. Knock wood and cross fingers, because I've been disappointed before, but this program has history, unlike my 2006 & 2008 disappointments. 2010 is going to be a tough year for this kind of commitment, of course. But ( Read more... )

We just passed under the Verrazano Narrows Bridge and are making for Sandy Hook on the way to Annapolis. Some 27 miles reeled off in 3 hours, thanks to a strong current in the East River and in the harbor. 243 miles to go. With luck, we'll make Annapolis for Sunday dinner. The owner gave me the helm at 0300 just after we left the marina, and I ( Read more... )

First major race of the season begins this Friday - the Storm Trysail YC Block Island Race. 185 miles from Stamford, east and around Block Island and back. I'm a-team Navigator on American Girl, and we've got some serious competition...again. The goal is to beat SirenSong this time. Race should take about 30 hours, give or take. The current ( Read more... )