Regatta 1

Great weather for sailing on Sunday. Another class at Austin Yacht, and a great race afterwards.
The wind was calm for "morning lessons". Got a pic of one of the four C130's that flew right over us in formation while we were out. Then the wind picked up a bit, I got on as midshipman on another J-24, and raced in the afternoon. These guys are sharp: 24 ft boats coming within a couple of feet from each other, brushing against one another's sails, and not one collision. It was crazy being in the fray with so many boats around (the pic shows them all spread out 20 minutes before the start). I would have taken more pics, but was too busy helping win!

The Dog Days

This next week will be the worst- the last of the Summer. Highs will continue to be in the 100's and the start of football will remain just out of reach. This would be a good week to sit, scheme, and review my designs.
Work on the canoe finally reconvened yesterday, and almost a full ounce of hops were harvested from my vine and brewed into a pale ale. Not a bad weekend, for the dog days.

Miles says...

"That's the nice thing about sunsets: the colors always kind of go together."

Off the balcony after this evening's storm.

Silly Project #489

But really, spending time with your kid making something cool out of old toys is never silly. This was our proof of concept model: using an RC toy connected to other things to make them work. After we get this boat tweaked, we're on to the RC blimp. Then, the world!
Sorry for the poor video quality- I was trying to juggle the camera and the remote at the same time.

HMS Investigator Found

Parks Canada went looking for one of the famous ships of Arctic explorer Sir John Franklin this summer- and found it, 150 years old. One down, two to go. You should also check out the links to descriptions of the voyage on the website:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100729/ap_on_re_ca/cn_canada_franklin_ship_found

BOAT BIKE

The Boat Bike concept was one of those wild hairs that crop up when you're staring down a Texas Summer that will need plenty of excuses to be in the water, and waiting for UT football to start. I had seen one before while canoeing Town Lake a few years ago- a craft made out of a modified bicycle with pontoons attached, just paddling through the water. The idea of having the thing be able to ride from land into the water was my friend Bryan's. He likes to think big, and he was enthusiastic about the idea (but unfortunately is in New York for the summer). So I thought up some plans, sold an old laptop at Rex's garage sale for $18, bought a bike on craigslist, and recruited some friends to help assemble. Flip had some leftover plywood, I have a million screws and lag bolts from previous projects, Emily brought the beverages, and Brandon & Marie had the perfect place to build (and a lot of good ideas about the construction). 8 hours of labor and a little time on the water with friends was a great way to spend the weekend. Maybe next year we'll think bigger (a boat-bike race, perhaps?). Watch the vid. Also, see the craft pass the "Blanton Test".

Sucks To Be These Guys

...or maybe very lucky.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/38339576/ns/world_news-africa