Well it’s Day 5 already and Team Pandtrax/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 1-2 I'm a bit behind... As Doug and Trish 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 boats passing under the bridge. I yelled and waved to Doug and Trish as they passed 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 they stayed that way until Point No Point. After rounding PNP the weather completely changed as it often does if you know that point at all. The seas calmed and the paddlers had a push from the incoming tide. From there to Kingston the varied from calm to a shitshow (Doug's words btw). The waves got bad as they approached big points. The crossed through Apple Tree Cove, not having to wait for the ferry thankfully. They rounded Point Jefferson and went directly to Fay Bainbridge to set up camp. Ryder from WA360 showed up and did a short interview. You can see that interview on the Northwest Maritime YouTube Channel.The one titled Catching Up With Human Powered Teams. Doug and Trish's interview is at the end starting around the 3:50 mark. Day 2 started earlier than Doug had told me they were going to get going. I had loaded up Ness and Bruce in the car and was on the way to Fay Bainbridge to surprise them, but when Doug let me know around 7:00 that they were getting ready to push off I was still on the road. I was disappinted but they needed to go with the weather and tides and currents and their energy and water Gods and whatever else gives them a headstart. I decided to get there anyway and get the dogs on the beach for a walk and watch PandaBob paddle off into the distance. When we pulled into the parking lot Doug was just offshore. He was sweet enough to paddle back in for a hug and kiss. Fuel for the 'road'! The dogs had a great time on the beach, I got some beautiful shots of PandaBob with Rainier in the distance and as we were getting ready to leave we passed another racer who had just put in from the beach. Ness was sure it was Doug and he immediately started whining and sat right down and wouldn't move. We watched him paddle off into the distance 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 against them. They stuck to the west shore and and ducked into bays whenever possible. The tail wind was creating big waves that were close together so despite having the boost, the boats were constantly getting pushed sideways and they were having to correct. Once out of Colvos passage and into the Narrows the current was intheir favor. The waves were "pretty crazy tho". Lots of work trying to to manage them, then on top of that an asshole in a speedboat tried running them over. Grrrr. Going under the Narrows bridge was pretty cool though. The plan was to stop at Fox Island but the park was a long steep climb. It would have taken forever to unpack and set up camp so they pressed on. Leaving Fox Island 3 porpoise swam by Doug's boat about 10 feet away! The islands are a maze down there. PandaBob went between McNeil and Anderson Island before landing at Anderson Island Park. Unfortunately until Doug has wifi access his pictures won't sync with my phone so I don't have access to all his photos but I'll leave you with this.
They are moving up passage Whidbey Island and into the San Juans. This is where it starts to get really serious folks. They are tired, and going to be getting into big winds, waves and water. Keep praying to the paddling Gods and stay tuned in. More to come.....