s/v Field Trip

Videos are a key part of how we're documenting our travels.  We've produced 19, with many more on the way.  The problem has been - how to keep them organized on this blog? We've used YouTube.  They're frankly too restrictive for how we produce the videos. The best solution by far is Vimeo.  Vimeo imbeds in our blog, plays on iPads, iPhones and other mobile devices - and allows more 'creativity' in audio track selection. This week I've moved all videos into one location - a Field Trip Channel on Vimeo.  Once we get the new widget written for the blog, you will see a live feed on the right. Until then, below are the options to view and subscribe to this new video feed. The 3rd Episode of the Atlantic Cup Rally is now here! RSS Video Feed - Click Here Direct Link to Channel - Click Here Current Videos on Field Trip Channel

We're back in the United States.  Field Trip is secure in Newport, RI and we're currently in Denver, CO. So, how are we faring?  Candidly, I dreaded coming back to Denver.  Even for 3 weeks, it was a dread.  The same feeling you get when being on vacation and then go back to work.  Ugh. The experience has been outstanding.  "Why stop now?"  That's been the big question. It's frankly hard to answer - without a reality check. Enter reality : Traffic. Cars. Schedules. Airports. Email. Sarah and I've both been busily reconnecting with our friends and colleagues.  For fun, and at the prodding of Sarah, I jumped on a plane this week and went to Las Vegas to reconnect with colleagues from the past 18+ years.  It was short, but great. So, the answer?  Was the 3 week reality check enough to convince us what to do?  Yep.  We've made our plans as a family, and we're off.  We've decided that we will continue to explore New...

Last time I blogged, I left many of you frantically checking the weather channel, watching Beryl, the tropical storm off of Florida .  I apologize for the quick blog wrap-up, but as you know, weather doesn't wait.  Tropical storms are no exception, and we needed to get going in order to beat the storm that was brewing.  So, with a few meals prepared, seasick meds taken, rigging and boat systems checked, a helpful crew member aboard, and a blog post brought to a screeching halt, we skidaddled. I was anxious to find out what the next four days would bring, and more importantly, if we had what it took to make a passage with our two kids aboard.  Mark and I had crossed the Gulf Stream once before, and the mere mention of it conjures up memories of me in my foulies, getting pummeled with waves coming over the bow, as I'm trying to hand steer over 10 foot swells.  That trip had challenged me, but in the end, made me stronger.  I wondered what the Gulf Stre...

Seriously!  Did you know that one of the ships that was sailing to the "New World" from England shipwrecked on the reefs of Bermuda and survived??  The crew of the Sea Venture were separated from the other ships that were headed to what would become Jamestown by a horrible storm and ended up literally crashing in to Bermuda.  The name comes from the first visitor to the island in 1505, Juan de Bermudez, from Spain.  Legend tells us that he and his crew were too scared of the "isle of devils" to hang around long.  The calls of the cahow bird that they heard sounded to them like evil spirits, and they got the heck out of dodge.  Likely, they also heard the whistling frogs that make quite the chorus when dark comes.  Check out a youtube video here . The same birds that scared away the Spaniards, became good eatin’ for the English of the Sea Venture.   They also feasted upon sea turtles, fish, and wild hogs that the Spaniards had left behind....

Grunts.  Growls.  Groans.  Chest beating.  Fishing.  Limited showers.  Just add hot water cooking.  It's was guy time on Field Trip during the Atlantic Cup from Tortola, BVI to Bermuda - and it was a good time! I was fortunate to have a great crew for our trip.  All boys, playing with toys.  It was a blast.  Bryan Suthard was my long time business partner and colleague for the past 15+ years.  Carlos Diaz was invaluable crew from Buenos Aires to Brazil - and wanted to sail some more.  Eric Maynard, another Antares owner, self professed techie and gourmet cook on land (grin) joined for the trip.  All of us in our mid 40's and ready to rumble (or tumble). Crew striking a pose We were obsessive compulsive on sail trim, ballast (yes, we actually filled water on one side of boat to 'help us point'), and overall strategy aboard Field Trip.  Sure, it wasn't a 'formal' race.  But competition of any sort is ...