Sailing the Seattle seas

Frank and MJ crewed aboard the s/v Don Quixote last night in Elliot Bay Marina's Thursday night series race. Don Quixote is the catamaran that belongs to our pals Toast and Dean and their wonderful daughters, Jaime, Mera, and Aeron (my boon companions at the unschooling conference). It sounds like it was a wonderful evening. They raced in the cruising class, which pretty much translates to "noncompetitive." Frank said they even gave way so some guy could get past them at the breakwater. This is not the sort of attitude you would find among the more hardcore racers! I could tell he really enjoyed the laid-back approach.

He was also pretty taken with catamaran sailing. He and MJ each got a turn at the helm, and he said it's a very stable ride—enough so that the kids were running all around the boat. Nice breezes let them clip along doing about 8 knots. Speedy!

I had to work a little late to make up for my less dedicated days earlier in the week, but I got home enough before the sailors that Chloe and I had a little date. We tried out our new On Demand cable and discovered an incomparable 80's treat on the Free Movies list: Xanadu! Does anybody remember this incredible, forgettable movie? Olivia Newton-John, Gene Kelly, and the Electric Light Orchestra, plus a bunch of roller skates. Trippy.