Some folks think they are independent after yesterday. Here's a site to inspire you to become more so. off-grid provides great literature on the virtues of wind, solar and bio energy.

Labels: biodiesel, energy, solar, wind

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

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

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

"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

Earthrace has made some amazing strides after having been cleared of all (non-existing) charges by Guatemala, regaining some time up the west coast to Acapulco, making some necessary repairs and now on their way to the US.

Dad just got news that Earthrace should be in San Diego by noon Sunday, make a few more repairs and leave Sunday night or Monday morning. This is fantastic: the race is on and I will get to go! I just booked my flight and room.

More to follow.

Labels: biodiesel, Earthrace, San Diego

Earthrace left Barbados in pursuit of the world record for circumnavigating the globe. What followed was a chain of events which have marred their effort: Bad props on the first leg, an oil leak followed by a collision at sea with a small fishing skiff off the coast of Guatemala. What has been reported either in the Captain's blog, the Ground Crew blog (which can be found at Earthrace.net. or any news account (Google News Search) has given us details to the accident. Today, we've read that both parties have reached a settlement, however, Skipper Bethune must await a hearing which has been delayed multiple times.

Dad was to meet the crew in San Diego this past Thursday and climb aboard for Maui. He's since put his plans on hold until he receives further notice. We are unsure if the race will continue. If it does, I suspect they will restart the clock at Acapulco or San Diego. A monumental task of organizing fuel transport, parts for repairs has already proved difficult, putting them on hold or changing tack must be an additional strain.

God's Speed Earthrace.

Photos by Lance Wordsworth-Ground Crew Cinematographer

Labels: biodiesel, Earthrace

The Hutchinson News ran an article on Dad today.

This picture was taken last fall when he traveled to the West coast to train aboard Earthrace.

Labels: biodiesel, Earthrace

Seven ways you can save the planet and help Earthrace break the round the world speedboat record using Bio Diesel

1.Donate Air Miles-We need air miles to buy the plane tickets for the ground crew. Ground crew needs to follow and support Earthrace. If we don’t use the miles we will return them. Donate by going to the front page of Earthrace.net and clicking on the appropriate airline.

2.Help with Housing-We are in need of a place to stay in Acapulco, San Diego, the Marshal Islands, Palau and Singapore. Know anybody in these areas that can help with ideas? Send me an email at yachtwork@gmail.com

3.Unused Time Share Weeks-Pledge your unused Time Share weeks. We only need a week or two in each port on our racecourse. If you have unused Time Share weeks we can use them to support the ground crew and give the race crew a place to shower during the pit stops. If we don’t use them we’ll send them back.

4.Sell legs on Earthrace-We have select legs open. Want to participate in a world record setting extreme sport? Know anybody who does? The cost per leg is between 10k and 30K depending on the distance. Make Earthrace part of your vacation plans and join us for a leg while helping to save the planet.

5.Make a donation, or buy DVD’s, posters and hats--Small donations add up. No large sponsors have built Earthrace. It’s all been through small donations from people just like you. People that want to help save the planet and are willing to make a small contribution. Go to Earthrace.net to donate or to do some online shopping.

6.Help us find fuel-Call around to your bio diesel provider and ask for fuel for Earthrace. We still have legs that need fuel donated and the only way this will happen is for you to help with the cause. As many of you know our main fuel sponsor dropped out just before the race start leaving Earthrace in need of Bio Diesel.

7.Volunteer your time-Earthrace depends on volunteers stepping forward and helping in many different ways. Picking up crew from the airport, spending time on the Internet getting Earthrace publicity, help link us on more pages, showing up to support Earthrace during her race tour, calling local media to help arrange more coverage, calling your local Bio Diesel supplier and asking for donations of fuel, and any other ways you can think of to help us achieve this record breaking circumnavigation.

See Earthrace.net or email yachtwork@gmail, for more information!

Labels: biodiesel, Earthrace