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4/20/2004 11:30:00 PM
San Diego, CA
Harbor Island - At the marina

Ready, Set, Go...

Just a few weeks ago we decided to take place at the largest international race... But only at the cruisers class and not the "real race class"

Hallo you all!

Well, you didn't think you'd here that soon from us again, right!? Me neither.... But since we are going to participate in our first race this week, we will be pretty busy and I thought I'll drop a quick note with you.

Just a few weeks ago we decided to take place at the largest international race... But only at the cruisers class and not the "real race class". It goes from Newport Beach (by LA) to Ensenada (border of Mexico), start is on Friday noon and depending on the boat it will take 6 to 26 hours. We hope to make it in approx. 20 hours and are very much looking forward to it. There are a lot of preparations involved and Robert had to fix and do a few things on the boat. I have to take care of the inside and get it from a "marina life" boat to a somewhat race sailing boat. We do try to get out sailing at least once a weekend but then I don't have to do too much, specially the kids area - I usually leave as is. But since we have a crew of 3 more people we need the space for sleeping and moving around. Dave, Roberts colleague from the Bay Area (we sailed his boat in SF during our visit in February) his boat neighbor and his son will join us. We are very much looking forward to the whole experience, there will be around 500 boats! They have a party on Friday and Sunday and I am sure we will see a lot of interesting boats and people.

We just found out that our boat has actually been in it a few times with our pre-preowner (1992-1999)... Too funny! A few months ago we had found some old paper work seeing that they were also in San Diego and the phone number was still valid. Robert got in contact with them, finding out that they are still in San Diego living on a boat (a powerboat now). Too make a long story short - Bill (the pre-preowner) is one of the two race inspectors, checking all boats for the necessary things. Well and so it came that Bill had to inspect "his old" boat. He and his wife, Carol, came last week and they were both amazed how much we had done to the boat. We exchanged a few "inside" stories and got to know some of the history of Lawur then Spinner. They also gave us two rugs they had especially made for it, but did not want to leave with the last owner... So nice of them! It is funny how small the world sometimes is. So now we hope we will live up to Lawur's standard and get her through the race nice and smoothly.

The boys will be staying with Barbie and Jimmy for these 5 days (1 day to get to Newport - 2 days for the race - 1 day in Ensenada and 1 more day to get back to San Diego). We first thought it would be nice to take them along, but we don't have enough crew so that I can take care of the kids and besides they are having a blast going to Barbie's. They will also see my cousins daughter Lara and her friends, whom they always like to play with and it'll do them good being away from us a few days.

They both actually attended spring camp at the YMCA the week before Easter but then they came home in the evening. I have to admit that it did them (they were in different groups) and me good to have a few days by themselves. Even though they had some trouble in the beginning "finding their groove", they both had a blast at the end and definitely want to do another camp in summer. For me the days went by way too fast, I always want to do more than I can accomplish...!

Well, this is pretty much it for our highlights. Robert will send you a detailed race report and hopefully some cool pictures next week. This time I unfortunately cannot attach any new pictures since I left my camera a month ago at the YMCA bathroom and unfortunately it did not get found by an honest person... Boy was I upset! We hope to get a new camera the next few weeks and Dave will take shots with his for the race. So enclosed some pics of the boys with Broesel - still cute!

Wish us fare weather and a good race, even I am looking forward to what we will have to tell you about it...! :0) So long, many hugs

Yours the 4 Schmids

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