Epilogue
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| Photo credit: Robert Finlay (a.k.a. IronBob) |
The picture of our finish (above), taken by IronBob, was featured in a Small Craft Advisor blog article by Doug Cameron on the EC 2014.
We finished the Challenge at 15:45 on Thursday, March 6, well over a day ahead of what we had considered an optimistic goal of finishing by the end of the day on Friday. Our total race time was 5 days, 8 hours, and 45 minutes. Stats from the GPS:
292 miles travelled
80 hours, 36 min moving
8 hours, 58 min stopped (does not include time we were camped when the GPS was off)
3.6 mph moving average
3.3 mph overall average (not including camp time)
8.9 mph maximum speed
Race results are posted at: http://www.watertribe.com/Events/ChallengeResults.aspx
JustSurf and Mexican stuck together through the Challenge, both finishing in under 4 days, 3 hours. My guess is that they'll be back for more! We enjoyed dinner with them at Mrs. Macs the night we finished. JustSurf was astounded at the quantity of food we brought back with us!
NiteNavigator and Whitecaps trounced us as they enjoyed the "cruising aspects of the race." They finished in 5 days, 0 hours, 22 min, well ahead of the storm front. Those guys can paddle!
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| Photo credit: Robert Finlay, a.k.a. IronBob
MicroTom and Waterlilly impressed us all with a finish of 5 days, 6 hours, 15 min. Great job, you two!
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DeadCat also weathered the passing of the front and rain, and pulled in just after us at 5 days, 9 hours, 47 min. She's tough, she is.
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| DeadCat looking alive and well after a harrowing paddle on Florida Bay. Photo credit: Paula Martel (?), a.k.a. PaddleDancer |
Deke pulled off another epic day and rolled in at 5 days, 10 hours, 38 min. The storm overtook him a few miles from the finish, and he ran for cover in a marina on Key Largo.
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| Photo Credit: Paul Kral, a.k.a. DogsLife |
Our "coincidental companion," AlexO, finished shortly after us (5 days, 11 hours, 5 min), having weathered the front's passing and the drenching rain. It was a great pleasure to have encountered him so many times on the course, especially as we crossed Whitewater Bay.
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| AlexO finishing, photo credit: Robert Finlay, a.k.a. IronBob |
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| Team GoFRowe with AlexO, all cleaned up and ready to go! |
SandyBottom, TideTraveller, and Santiago braved the storm's passing while crossing Florida Bay. They stuck it out together, paddling side by side in case one needed assistance. They finished Thursday night at 11:30 PM (5 days, 16 hours).
PeacePaddler weathered a cold and blustery night hunkered down and cozy, tied up to End Key in her Kruger Seawind. This was her first time on big water, and she pulled it off in style, making all the Krugerheads proud. She's one tough lady! She was looking strong and happy when she finished at 7 days, 7 hours, and 8 min. In her words, "THIS boat is AWESOME."
So many others have their own stories to tell. We came for the adventure, but now we want to come back next year for the people. The Watertribe truly are kindred spirits!
We owe special thanks to our intrepid shore contacts, Mom and Dad Fry. They drove our car to Key Largo, provided invaluable moral support, and shared the adventure with us.
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