This week, we started to see new life in the garden. Sugar Bon peas, lettuce, spring spinach, and onions are all starting to push through the surface. Last week's rain really helped.

Suz and I took a short day trip up to the national park last weekend. The alluvial fan has to be one of our favorite spots to hike. This past year's snow really has the meadows draped in green. You can get a good sense that the spring flowers will likely be out soon.

It's late April, and our Christmas Cactus we received from the neighbors is in full bloom.

Charlie quipped "must be Orthodox".

Getting some rain this morning. About a quarter inch before i left for work. Had some pea-sized hail last night in Boulder at the office.

Gutters are running.

This picture was taken south east of the corner of 75th and Valmont. Out the back of the coop is a chicken run about 4 feet wide by 2 feet tall by maybe 20 feet long. Chickens don’t mind the rain.

Lawn gets aerated tomorrow, followed by spring fertilizer. The rain is welcomed. Just checked the gauge ... 1 1/4". I'll take it.

Labels: garden, omega-3

Sunday was full of sun and sweat. I built a raised box that can move each year with the rotation. In it I planted carrots and leeks. The same bed is home to peas and spinach and soon to be onions.

I noticed that some of the farmers in Boulder County started to plant corn this weekend, so i took it upon myself to sew my first planting. Adjacent the corn is a few rows of lettuce.

Burpee said we're a Zone 5 and that is why my potatoes and onions (300 sets!!) will be here this week, rather than a month ago.

Labels: Burpee, garden, seeds, Spinach, weekend project

What do you do for 4 days on the open water? After having spent nearly 9 days with the crew in San Diego?

Take the time to relax. Drive the coolest boat on Earth. Greet an albatross just before making landfall.

His stories keep rolling in. What an amazing trip. Although the Earthrace is still on, we will get the inside scoop. And believe you me, Dad includes details.

The wind farm in Maui is a great juxtaposition. Returning to Ellis County, and it's proposed wind farm. A nonsensical debate has risen, led by bias scare tactics and jealousy. Hawaii strives to keep clean, whether it be biofuel or wind power. If only the opposition in Hays would think past their selfishness, and understand the greater good.

For those keeping tabs, THIS MAP will track their moves.

Labels: biodiesel, Earthrace, Maui, San Diego

Earthrace made it into Maui and back out headed South. As the approached land, Mom commented that Dad made a few cell phone calls. Just awesome.

A few of us siblings tracked them in on, and i tried to find as many Maui beach cams as i could to catch a glimpse. And I did, just as they past the break water for the harbor. It's that little grey blob behind the sea cruiser which was anchored all evening.

Dad caught the next available flight home. He's in San Fran this morning. I may have a house guest tonight. Darn. A winter storm may cause delays into Kansas.

Labels: biodiesel, Earthrace, Maui, San Diego

April 12, 2007

"current eta just before 4 PM Hawaii. Rockin and rolling. Very lite so feel all the bumps. Marty found a coconut in the larder."

UPDATE: "Dad called at 7:25 and they are off the coast of Maui. They will go around the north side and after they make the turn, it will take an hour and a half to get to dock and tie up."

"At 4 PM we will be at our turn NW of Maui. Pete estimates that we will be tied up at 5:30 on the south side. We see glimpses of Maui through the low overcast. Only three ships since San Diego."

Don't Forget: My brother wrote to mention that he found a possible web cam of Ma'alaea Harbor, Maui. He said he's been in contact with the camera operator and hopes they'll help watch for Earthrace coming in Thursday.

I just found another cam of Ma'alaea Bay. It might be a clearer shot of the boat.

this cam seems to have a little more resolution and is located at Kihei

For those keeping tabs, THIS MAP will track their moves.

Labels: biodiesel, Earthrace, Maui, San Diego

April 11, 2007

"Saw first albatros late yesterday. see dolphins, terns, shearwaters,and gulls along the way. all fueil in barrelsand shuttle has been transferred. W onderful cruising sea. Just rocjin and rollin,"

"It is about 11:00 AM here and we heard some thing go under the boat and the vibration get bad. Stopped all and Pete dived in to check. Came up with armload of rope and fishnet. All is well, no damage."

Just a note, he blames his typos on the boat's movement.

For those keeping tabs, THIS MAP will track their moves.

Labels: biodiesel, Earthrace, Maui, San Diego

April 10, 2007

"The computer says we will be in Maui late evening on the 12th...very smooth and nice boating since we are now in the following trade winds and sea... Boat performing well and other than the rough days, comfortable"

My brother wrote to mention that he found a possible web cam of Ma'alaea Harbor, Maui. Might possibly be able to view Earthrace coming in Thursday.

UPDATE: Looks like they expect to arrive around 3:30PM Maui time. They've hit a bit more rough water.

For those keeping tabs, THIS MAP will track their moves. I was told that the extra barrels we loaded on to Earthrace take an hour to transfer to the main tanks on the open water. You might catch them not moving from time to time.

Labels: biodiesel, Earthrace, Maui, San Diego

Mom received a short message from dad while on the Pacific:

April 9, 2007

"the weather is rougher than I thought it'd be. we're about 1/3 way to hawaii."

"first sunshine today. nice day here now with rolly pacific swell from the north. I'm having more fun than i should have."

"if the water is calm i'm cooking dinner tonight...The boat bounces and makes me make mistakes"

For those keeping tabs, THIS MAP will track their moves.

Earthrace' rear hatch might not have much of an Easterly view, but I can only imagine what the crew woke up to this morning.

My sunburn from San Diego is really pealing now. Earthrace can really reflect the UV. Now it's snowing at home and the garden isn't getting much attention. All the more time to keep tabs on that boat.

For those keeping tabs, THIS MAP will track their moves.

Labels: biodiesel, Earthrace, Maui, San Diego

6:10pm PT

Earthrace has left San Diego for Maui. They are aiming for 3.5 days.

ROCK ON EARTHRACE!

For those keeping tabs, THIS MAP will track their moves.

Labels: biodiesel, Earthrace, Maui, San Diego

prunus besseyi

Unseen on the rocky verge.

Has always been there.

_C. Kraus

Labels: garden, plants, selections

1:27pm PT
Just talked with Mom, who talked with Dad. They have Earthrace back together again. They discovered a slightly bent shaft which they hope was what caused the vibration. Sounds like they were off for a test run. If all is well, they'll be Maui-bound this afternoon.

For those keeping tabs, THIS MAP will track their moves.

Labels: biodiesel, Earthrace, San Diego

So, my buddy Bruce calls me the other day. We share gardening woes and triumphs. He recently stumbled upon a book All New Square Foot Gardening by Mel Bartholomew. Bruce's garden is growing in size this year. Last year, he put in his second bed, and the plan this year is to try Mel's techniques.


The Square Foot Gardening practice is interesting. I've not heard of plotting in squares before. Just co-mingling early, mid and late season plants to make the best use of the limited garden space.

Labels: garden, weekend project

"Another Friday in San Diego with Earthrace" Dad said. The crew is working tirelessly looking for the cause of a vibration. He had to jump off the phone as he and Ryan were on the pier awaiting Earthrace' return from another test run.

I've been drawing up a memorial logo for Julio David Galeano Contreras, or known to his family as "Pajarito". If they choose to use it, I'll post it here.

Labels: biodiesel, Earthrace, San Diego

Just got off the phone with Dad. They will be spending Thursday night in San Diego. They discovered a timing glitch with the port engine causing it to not fire correctly. Cummins is on it. They hope to have it repaired first thing in the morning THEN they'll be off.

Labels: biodiesel, Earthrace, San Diego

I flew out to California to meet up with Dad and Earthrace. What a rush!



Upon arrival Sunday morning, we received news that the Baja Bash had slowed them up a bit. She arrived around 5:30pm PT into a slip at Driscoll Boat Works. We greeted the ground crew and small crowd including the local press. I pitched in where I could, washing their dishes, toting barrels, hauling trash, etc. Trying to stay out of the way and being in the action is a tough job. A crew from the transmission company and an engine tech from Cummins was there ready to start work. They had hoped to make small repairs, replace the screws (again) and shove off by midnight. Word had been passed that the gearbox would need to be replace, and it was.



While this was happening, a fuel truck full of biodiesel was busy filling the ship's tanks and the extra 35 gallon barrels we loaded up as extra for the long journey. Earthrace's hopes are to pour on the coals (soy coals?) and reach Hawaii faster.

The crew wrapped up by 4am, caught a few winks and were back at it by early Monday morning. They shoved off at 11am, but I got a call from dad saying their was a leak and a vibration. Crap.

These repairs took the afternoon to fix. and by 5:45pm, they shoved off again. Great timing! As I needed to run to the airport and catch the last flight back to Denver. I had just cleared security when Mom called. Dad had just called to tell her they were headed back to port. The batch of diesel was bad. Clogged the engines. Everything had to be flushed, scrubbed and refilled. Crap, crap.

And here they wait. Dad said he spent that night on the boat, while the crew found a hotel room. Tuesday night, he got a room himself.

Tonight should be a go!

Here's to the crew: who never once complained about the 50F water, the crazy hours or the abuse from Baja. Their spirit and team work will make this race a success.

Labels: biodiesel, Earthrace, San Diego