And they're OFF! by Catharine (Part 1)

For a while I've been telling myself it's not that big a deal that these guys are sailing across an ocean, starting today.  I've now come to the conclusion it IS a big deal.

There was a frenzy of last-minute stuff to do first thing this morning.  The bimini had to be disassembled, the filters on the water maker changed, weather routing planned, new sails hoisted, final stowing of gear, water tanks filled, all before 0830.  Check!

Here are the guys in their snazzy Helly Hansen Crew Midlayer jackets.  From left to right: 

Adam, Steve C, Steve T, Jason, Travis, Darin, and Ty

And just to switch up the order, here's Ty, Steve T, Steve C, Travis, Adam, Jason, and Darin

We were really lucky to have Edward and Jane host us on Halcyon as Turnagain's official spectator boat.  Here's Ed and Jane wishing the guys well :)

Some emotional goodbyes...

At 0900 they left the dock, and said their final goodbyes to all of us left behind.  This was an emotional time, and it's all finally starting to sink in.

Hanging out with Helly Hansen!

So we all needed foul weather gear, and the wonderful team at our local Helly Hansen store in Vancouver offered to host us for a private fitting!  What better way to spend a Monday evening than to gather downtown at the HH store!  They did say they'd provide some snacks and beverages, but in true Turnagain spirit we didn't want to show up empty handed or ill-prepared.  So off we went, cooler in tow :)

Darin and Travis with the cooler....turns out HH was already well stocked :)

The HH team was absolutely awesome...so friendly and helpful.  We had a great time (and by great time I mean we donned black base layers and tried out our ninja moves around the store) and outfitted ourselves in *matching* everything we could need :)  The guys settled on Salt Jackets (in Cobalt), Crew Midlayer Jacket (also in Cobalt, my personal favourite), and some handsome Coastal Trousers, plus base layers.  We can't wait for our gear to get shipped, and look forward to taking Leo (store manager), Kriz (who organized the evening), and the rest of the HH team out for a sail on Turnagain when the weather gets a bit nicer.

Group picture

Have crew and cooler?  Will travel.