Sailboats galore!

The Virgil just after popping up following her first capsize drill

The Puffer with full sails just off the docks of base camp

Sailing camp lunch on the hook near Indian Key          

                                                     Dana and the massive Mag centerboard that is headed to the shop

Trish, the Virgil, the Tucker, and the celebratory bottle of champagne after Patsy painted the transom

Seasonal Staff Training, Ahoy!

This year's seasonal staff (minus John and Ryan, plus Jimbo) gathered for adventures November 17 through 23, with Jeff at the helm.  After a few days of labor and learning at Sunset Island, the gang paddled from Fakahatchee Creek to the gulf... and on back home to green 33. 

Sunset approach of Whitehorse

P.D. and P.D. are O.B.!

D.H., Lee, and Jimbo about to get their learn on

KShon -
photog
extraor-
dinaire 

Putting the gangways back in place

Ashley working on the dock

Finally success on the splicing

After off and on efforts over the last four days, we finally were successful with the sta-set X eye splice!

An afternoon paddle.

We made it out for a late afternoon paddle.  Numerous Snags along the western shore of Lane Cove currently hosts an healthy rookery.  Over the last few days we have seen both a roseate spoonbill and a scarlet ibis along with many, many idis, brown pelicans, great blue herons, lesser blue herons, Louisiana herons great white egrets, and snow egrets.  On our way back to base along Indian Key Pass, we ran across Chris Schuld padding with some clients.

Saturday Lunch at Triad Seafood - bring your Ferrari!

Out to lunch in E'city and ran into this fleet of Ferrari's at Triad Seafood. Only in E-city!

Splicing Woes

Stymied by splicing

Friday Trish and I spent too many hours attempting to create eye splices in double braid.  Along with a complete selection of fids, push rods, scissors, knifes, tape, etc.; we looked to trifold pamphlets, books, internet sites, and finally youtube for instructions.  Despite our best efforts the exercise yielded no eye splices.  Today we return to the splicing table with renewed determination.

Back in the 'Glades.

The NCOBS Fall semester course has moved on to Patagonia after a successful, early season 14 day expedition.

The Warren Wilson Semester Course just completed a day of service with the Ten Thousand Islands National Wildlife Refuge and will begin their Everglades Expedition today.

Julie Springsteen and Trish Haitz are here on the Island supporting the semester crew. While Anne and I are attempting to squeeze in a couple more days off before officially starting our season here in the Everglades.

We are looking forward to the Fall 2009 Work Weekend schedule for November 13, 14, 15. If you are planning to participate please contact JLovett@NCOBS.org.

In response to an increasing number of staff inquiries about making travel plans, I updated the FL Airport Calendar, FL Ride Board, and FL Travel Memo. Please see the links to the right for information on scheduling an airport p/u or d/o.