Earlier this morning Matt Coates and I put on our 50spf sunblock, donned our sunglasses and took out an Alden Double for a three and a half hour row in absolutely gorgeous weather. 

Personally, I learned that racing long distances while sculling (using 2 oars, as opposed to 1) with a partner in a double can be quite annoying because you can't ever take either of your hands off their respective oars.  Do you have itch on your nose?  Tough luck.  You can't scratch it without stopping or upsetting the boat.  Want water?  The water bottle might be right next to your feet, but unfortunately... you can't grab it.  Bugs crawling on you?  You get the idea.  I'm having a wonderful time sculling, but sometimes I miss rowing with that one big sweep oar...

Also, Don Trisler has been amazingly helpful & generous by buying an Andersen bailer and a new oar lock, which Matt and I will be installing in one of CMI's Alden Doubles to prepare it for Blackburn.  Thanks Don!!!!

Lastly, has everyone seen our new garden on the side of the CSCR building?  This past weekend Jackie Fitts, Lisa and Mike Dick (Did I miss anyone?) put on their work gloves and got busy planting and landscaping.  Great work guys!