This comment was posted earlier today by our friend, dilbertdogbert, at the behest of Colonel Lang. The sentiment expressed by both these gentlemen is one with which I heartedly agree. We can only take so much politics, anger and stupidity before we give the whole thing up.
The Sailish Sea 100 is a known as a raid, a sail and oar adventure done with small boats as a leisurely pace rather than as a race. There often are some competitive elements involved in a raid. After all, anytime two boats get together there is a race of some kind. But the goal of a raid is comradeship, fun and adventure. This particular raid will take place in a magical location, perhaps literally. I envy dilbertdogbert's memories of Puget Sound. I've never been there. The closest I've been was kayaking among the whales, walruses, bald eagles and calving glaciers in Alaska. A magical place all of its own.
I've taken up a new nautical interest after my visit to the Draken Harald Harfagre when she paid a port call in Washington DC this October. I was wondering how she was steered without any real keel or centerboard and a comparatively small rudder. A lot of this task is done by sail positioning as with a windsurfer. I started studying the shunting proas of the Pacific. In short, they're amazing and downright ingenious. This is what I've been day dreaming about lately. But more on that later when I do my annual post on the Everglades 300.