Well it's that time of year again. This weekend will be the fourth time my friend Leigh and I will participate in the Adirondack Canoe Classic. Each fall for the past 26 years, on the weekend following Labor day "The 90-Miler" takes place.

Unable to get officially registered the first two years that we applied (the registration is limited to 250 boats), we did the 3 day, ninety mile race/excursion as bandits. Bandits is the term used to refer to people who do the 90 miler with the sanctioned racers but are not recognized and the race organizers are not responsible for keeping track of you and you don't get to participate in the ancillary activities of the weekend.

With diligent persistence we were able to "get in" last year and it seems that once you're in, your in every year 'til you get out. So, we are back again this year to revel in the arduous 3 day paddle. As exhausting as it is we relish every ache and pain and start each subsequent day with exuberance.

The first two years as bandits we used our sea kayaks, mistakenly believing that one person in a kayak would be faster than 2 in a canoe. After being passed by two ladies looking old enough to be our dear mothers, we decided that we should use a canoe last year and this. Last year we're moving along quite briskly when we hear from our right rear, "coming on your right." We curteously moved to our left. Who do you suppose passed us on the right? Yup, the little ol' ladies from Pasadena. Only this time they had recruited two of their friends and were now four in a four man canoe. On days one and two they scootched by us around noon each day. Always a bright smile and kind words did they offer as they slide past us. I recall the first year that as they slide by the "leader of the pack" offered us a sandwhich for our lunch. Last year on the third day we beat them by a good ten minutes. Yesssss!!!!!! In fact I said to Leigh, "did we take a short cut?" It's all in good fun and we look forward to seeing Sherry and her crew again this year. Her name wasn't on the entrants list but there is a four woman canoe entered with paddlers TBA later. We are so hoping that she races again this year.

We'll leave later today for Old Forge, NY (where the race starts) and spend the night. The race will commence at 0700 Friday morning. First day; 34 miles, 4 carries...total carry distance 3.5 miles, one greater than a mile.

We intend to have a fine old time, rain or shine!
See ya later.