Saturday, July 19, 2008

And They're Off!

(Note: I posted two blogs today. Don't miss the one below this one.)

Yes, it's that time of year again. Time for the Chicago to Mackinac Island race. I heard on the radio that it's the most prestigious fresh water sailing race in the world. Wow!

For the first time, the boys and I saw M off in Chicago. Usually we drive up to "the island" as folks around the race call Mackinac Island and driving to Chicago too makes for a lot of driving.

We had a great time. We dropped M off at the harbor at 10:00 this morning for his 10:30 boat call (he wanted to do some adjustments on the boat before everybody got there.) It was pouring rain when we dropped him off. Not a good sign for a comfy race. He said that it was going to be a wet three days.

Then we went to Navy Pier in Chicago. The boys and I played around at the Children's Museum there for a couple of hours and then headed to the end of the pier to see M's boat parade by. We met M's folks, brother and sister-in-law at the end of the pier. It was fun because there were hundreds of boats out there already racing. M's fleet is the biggest and starts last (since they're so fast.) He told me that they'd be by at about 12:30 or so. At ten to one there they were! I yelled to him and he heard me and waved! What fun! We saw his uncle and cousin on the boat too.


I took this picture of them going by the Chicago Light House. He's gonna love the photo 'cause he sure loves the Chicago Light House.




Here's a closer up one of the crew as they sailed by. M's waving to us.




May the winds be swift. Good luck sailors!

5 comments:

CaliforniaGrammy said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Middle America Mom said...

CaliforniaGrammy - look at you with all your sailor lingo - "two on her port side and five on her starboard." You even called the boat a "her". I'm so proud, man!
I, too, love being able to track them.

jennavar said...

Heyyy....I wanna track too?!? What a great shot of the boat with the lighthouse. Very peaceful!! How is the weather doing now? What a fun time. I know he really enjoys it!

grandmaonthelake said...

Rain or shine it’s always a thrill to see so many sailboats, from all over the USA in Chicago. It was extra special this year because it is the 100th Chicago to Mackinac race. Also the direction of the wind enabled them to start the race flying their woderfully unique, colorful Spinnaker Sails. All of us being on the peir together shouting & waving to U.B., M & A. made it extra fun.
Many years ago, M's greatgrandfather sailed in this
same race. I hope he's watching from above
xoxograndmaonthelake

CaliforniaGrammy said...

Oh my, it looks like it's gonna be a pretty drizzly ride. I'm so glad you got a shot of him waving to you.

I've been checking in all afternoon to see how they're doing. So far they've been all in a cluster. And I think it's cool how you can click on "animate" and see the start to current time. And his boat is right in the middle of'em with two on her port side and five on her starboard. It'll be fun to see their progress in the morning.