I'll point out that while the event is called Sea Fair, the major three-day event all happens on a fresh water lake.
We spent day one on the shore overlooking the racetrack...er...race area, I suppose, since the racing is all water-bound. The scene was a NASCAR-like gathering of blue-blooded Americans and screaming boat motors. All branches of the military erected large recruitment booths, some with shiny spinning boxes - simulators I was told, though I never got so involved. Some photos from day one:
The boats rested on the wooden pier and were craned in and out of the water between races.
NAS-BOAT. They average around 135 MPH and displace some amazing misty waterfalls in their wakes. No blood and guts to be seen, though we did watch one spin out in a confusing spray of white water.
A 1959 champion boat on display at the event, looking very Star Trek indeed.
We spent day two out on the water in Cramer's boat. I enjoyed the freedom of the boat over the relative restriction of the shore. So many boats! Boats of all sizes and styles sped out under the air show flight path and turned off their engines and folks simply enjoyed the day. The frat boy contingent was high, some boats were sponsored by random vodka brands or Bunweiser, there were small bikinis and high school kids drinkin' and dirvin' daddy's boat (why would you EVER let your kid take your boat to an event like this?) Many families were out too, little kids in life jackets tossing water balloons at frat boys, bikin-clad girls and even pale white guys in their thirties. Most boats were well-stocked with water balloons and other sorts of water battle implements and so staying dry was not an option. One boat sported a gas-powered pump and hose which drenched our boat (Cramer is in th emarket for a new phone). Lake Washington was warm and the swim was tremendous all day.
The air show had been impressive from the beach the day before, when one could see the formations and tricks of the Blue Angels as they intended, but from our spot on the water this day, the planes would fly directly over us, incredibly close and incredibly loud. Two short video clips of the planes (turn on the sound!):
Of course these videos are a little shaky because I'm holding a small camera, following an incredibly fast-moving object and I'm on a bobbing boat. The noise was incredible. You get the idea.
Photos of day two:
Scantily-clad boys and girls everywhere. In addition to the bunny ears, she's wearing furry orange pasties.
WARNING: NOT A LIFESAVING DEVICE
When worn upside-down with the legs through the arms (or wearing two through the crotch as the Hawk is doing here), a PFD makes a fantastic diaper which makes floating in a sitting position positively effortless.
Under the bridge, Husky Stadium off in the distance
Boat bottleneck in the shipping canal. So many boats.
They raised the drawbridge for us (pay no attention to that sailboat up ahead)
Downtown Seattle across Lake Union on the way back to the boat ramp
I apologize, but the pun-lover in me could not resist photographing these two vessels side-by-side, named Labrador and Retriever.
Friends on a boat
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