Sigh…. let’s try this again. Did I mention I REALLY prefer Microsoft word?

Past the halfway point

Well it’s day 5 already and Team Pandatrax/Trishkabob…Pandabob..Trishkatrax…I’m going to have to think on that. (Team Trishkabob lost juice on her tracker so race officials put her with Team Pandatrax until they can get her a new one. That was supposed to be yesterday but so far hasn’t happened). Her extended family and friends were concerned I’m sure. She made a FB post when she was able and assured everyone she was indeed, not out of the race.

PandaBob….I like that.

Days 1 and 2

As PandaBob headed out of Port Townsend Bay I hopped in my car and waited on the Marrowstone Bridge with many others and had a bird’s eye view of the racers as they passed under the bridge. I yelled and waved to them as they paddled under and let them know they were almost there. Motivation!

As they crossed over to Foul Weather Bluff the wind picked up and the seas became nasty. As they entered Skunk Bay the waves became bad and stayed that way until Point No Point. After rounding PNP the weather completely changed as often happens if you know that point. The seas calmed and the paddlers had a push from the incoming tide. From there to Kingston it varied from calm to a ‘shitshow’ (Doug’s words). The waves got bad as they approched big points. They passed through Apple Tree Cove, not having to wait for the ferry thankfully. They went directly to Fay Bainbridge and set up camp. Ryder from WA360 showed up and interviewed them. You can see that interview on the Northwest Maritime’s YouTube channel. Look for the WA360 series titled Catching Up With Human Powered Teams. PandaBob’s interview starts around the 3:50 mark.

Day 2 I had loaded up Ness and Bruce and was going to surprise PandaBob at FB park before they got on the water. Unfortunately I got a call from Doug while we were still on the road saying they were getting ready to push off early! I was disappointed, however I knew they needed to go with the tides and currents and weather Gods and whatever else gets them a headstart so I wished them well. I decided to get there as fast as I could anyway and get the dogs on the beach so we could at least watch them paddle off into to morning. When we pulled into the parking lot Doug was just offshore and he came back for a quick hug and kiss. Fuel for the ‘road’! The dogs had a great time on the beach and I got some great shots of PandaBob with Rainier in the distance. As we were leaving we ran into another racer just pushing off. Ness was sure it was Doug because he promtly sat down and started whining and wouldn’t move. We watched that paddler and sail off as well. Ness is going to give his dad so much love when this is all done!

Into the Narrows

Down from Bainbridge was a breeze with good weather however once PandaBob reached Colvos passage, it all changed. There was a tailwind the entire passage and the current was againt them. Fun fact: the current always runs north in Colvos passage. I don’t remember why, but I’m not going to look it up at the moment because this is try #3 to get today’s blog posted. Google people. They stuck to the west shore and ducked into bays whenever possible. The tailwind was creating big waves that were close together so despite having the boost the boats were constantly pushed sideways and they were having to correct. Once out of Colvos passage and into the Narrows the current was in their favor. The waves were “pretty crazy tho”. Going under the Narrows bridge was cool except the asshole in the speeboat that tried to run them over. Grrrrr. The plan was to stop at Fox Island but the park was a long steep climb from the water’s edge so it would have taken forever to unpack and set up camp so they pressed on. Leaving Fox Island, 3 porpoise swam about 10 feet off Doug’s boat going the opposite way so that was cool! The islands are a real maze down there and they went between Anderson and McNeil islands before ultimately landing at Anderson Island Park for the night. They are seeing some amazing sunsets and sunrises. I’ll leave you with some along the way here.

If this blog post worked you will see me again……. Here goes, Ctr S, Hit Up arrow, cross fingers, cry a little then hit Enter…….