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AMY SMITH LINTON

Everglades Challenge 2021 –– It Begins.

3/6/2021

8 Comments

 
Crossing the Sunshine Skyway as playful gusts of wind nudge my RV from one side of the lane to the other, I dart a quick look to my right.
Spawn of Frankenscot EC2021
Thanks to power-boat riding Robert Hill for this photo of Spawn shortly after the start.
Of course the fleet of adventure racers is long over the horizon. Even knowing that my TwoBeers and Moresailesaid are sporting fine Gortex® waterproofs, I knock wood that they're hauling (dry) butt ahead of the rain.

​Rain that is just starting to ping against the windshield.


When my favorite skipper and Moresailesaid push Spawn off the beach for the Everglades Challenge each March, their focus is 100% on getting to Key Largo.  

The event is an "unsupported" adventure race, which means the racers carry whatever they expect to need. Preparation is key: for months, I'll find lists of how many AA and AAA batteries, of food ideas, of which things need fixing.

​There are long looong phone calls about how best to stow gear.
Picture
Before sunrise on the beach, the game is all about stowing gear.
I stay out of most of it. I consider myself a quartermaster rather than a chef d'équipe for the team. I obtain and make stuff in advance of the event.  

But when they take off at 7 am on the first Saturday in March, my focus changes.

I'm ground control, so I keep an eagle eye on their SPOT track. And another eagle eye on the weather news.

And another on the WaterTribe tracking page and on the RaceOwl page when the WaterTribe page gets bogged down. 

Plus one more on what's shaking on the social networks. Oh, and maybe a peek at the weather radar.


How many eyes is that?

(Whatever you do, do NOT Google "eagle spider." Jayshusmaryandjoseph)

By ten, I've managed the bronco ride home –– despite that fool motorcycle that would decide to  nip in front of the big rig as we whoa'd down the exit ramp.

​The bumpersticker is right: you DO have to keep an eye out for those things.

I'm emptying one vehicle and repacking another, since tomorrow I'll be conveying Spawn's trailer to Key Largo (knock wood! if nothing happens in the meanwhile! fingers crossed!).

And refreshing my screens and answering texts.

via GIPHY

Among the many management challenges of the Everglades Challenge each year, the only thing tougher than organizing batteries and gear and the boys' socks  –– for me –– is keeping a lid on worry.
Knocking wood and crossing fingers and so on.
8 Comments
Carleen link
3/6/2021 12:14:44 pm

Though my hubby, Willymakeit, gave the EC a try a few years ago, he hopes to return one day so we keep our eyes on the many sites too. All the best to TwoBeers and Moresailhesaid this year. I think you're a great shore crew btw! Carleen in Canada

Reply
Amy
3/6/2021 01:19:29 pm

Awww, thanks Carleen in Canada! Hope to see you both down here one March soon.
PS. Hope the cabin fever is not too bad!

Reply
James W Collins
3/6/2021 02:15:35 pm

Great read and passing along to my own Hotel Charlie (House Command) Six.

Reply
Amy
3/6/2021 02:46:21 pm

Thanks much! Be safe!

Reply
Goldie
3/6/2021 08:52:12 pm

How many boats are sailing in the race?

Reply
Amy
3/6/2021 10:17:49 pm

Sailboats, kayaks, and a paddle board -- about 70.

Reply
best GIPHY ever
3/7/2021 02:39:35 pm

How bullrider felt when he made Buttonwood Sound before the second nightfall !

Reply
Amy
3/7/2021 07:58:14 pm

Coolest bull rider ever.

Reply



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