2005 Port Huron to Mackinac Race

Documenting the week leading up to our annual race. The festivities, the food, the party - it's the biggest event all season.

The week starts on Tuesday with the Carnival set up in the parking lot for downtown shoppers. Every classic ride is there and kids of all ages have a great time.
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Buckets of taters in front of my favorite carni-food vendor: Fiske's French Fries. They are the BEST darn fries you've ever had. Fresh cut, just the right amount of salt, and a bit of malt vinegar to top it off. This year, they had the vinegar in pump spray bottles for extra saturation.
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My new best friend dishing up my order. I kinda wimped out - you can get a small bucket for $6. I still have to watch the colesterol, you know...
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"Eye'm Electric" sail # 25504 is a Jeanneau Sun Fast 37 out of Great lakes Yacht Club and is sailing it's third Mac race. It is skippered by it's co-owners Mark Schwartz and Jeff Golding with a total crew of 8, all Mac race veterans. Unfortunately, they didn't fare too well for the race.
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A view of the competitors lining up in Black River Thursday afternoon.
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A crewmember works the main sail in preparation for Saturday's run.
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This boat has really become a favorite of mine. Making its home in Rochester, NY, the Earth Voyager is literally the fastest boat on the Great Lakes. They not only beat their previous record for the finish, they actually set the fastest time ever - 253NM in 21:00:30.
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Another catamaran, Wahoo is one sleek looking machine. She finished right behind Earth Voyager in the open class for time at 22:28:25.
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The mast of Wahoo. I think you can guess who made it...
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A colorful site as the boats are docked are all of the flags against the beautiful, blue sky.
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I couldn't pass up the irony of this one. Someone either isn't paying attention or doesn't care. I don't think the city was too upset - on Friday, this boardwalk was four deep with spectators.
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Crewman checking things out on the Notorious as she is docked at the Port Huron Yacht Club.
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I know. More flags.
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The boats are a little thicker on the other side of the Seventh Street Bridge. This is the home of the Port Huron City Marina. That's the Beer Garden under the white tent in the background.
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Another view of the competitors tied up at the City Marina.
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Friday night is Party Night! The boardwalk along Black River is thick with people, food, and festivities. Here a man waits for an old-time favorite - a corn dog.
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Three of the carni-food groups are represented here: corndogs, cotton candy, and popcorn. Now THAT'S health food!
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Have I mentioned that I like the flags? I thought this looked cool with the setting sun and the fact that the wind was swirling a bit - you can't exactly tell which direction it's blowing.
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The captain keeps his passengers well lubed. So, what is the max passengers on this particular vessel?
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Youngsters from the local music academy kept folks entertained as they wandered along the river.
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The perfect combination of batter, grease, and powdered suger - the funnel cake. Good eatin'!
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One of the members of the local Red Hat Society sports her chapeaux and their recent fundraiser - a calender of nudes with their membership as the models.
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As you can tell, a good time is had by all on Friday night.
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OK, OK. Enough with the flags already!
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For the Siochail (sail number 10380), skippered by Com. Brian Geraghty, a pronunciation guide is the first order of business. The name is Gaelic (Irish) and is best pronounced as the two words, "she" "shall". Siochail is the Gaelic word for "peaceful", which reminds us of the pleasant times when the wind is on the beam and the rail is gliding through the water. Sometimes during a race, the name does not apply. She did pretty well for the race, though. Finished 22nd in her division.
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The St. Clair County Sheriff's Department had a crew out escorting the competitors as they headed out to the starting line.
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Another crew head out to the start. Now, is that guy hanging over the mainsail feeling ill or just relaxed?
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Another group of boats heading out to Lake Huron for the start of the race.
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The Blue Water Bridge to Canada provides a gateway to the Great Lakes.
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Some more crews heading out with Sarnia, ON Canada as the backdrop.
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Performing the last minute checks as they head out for the start of the race.
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