Friendship - President's Day 2011

slideshow HERE

The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust: A Haven for Elephants and Rhinos

The David Sheldrick Wildlife Trust: A Haven for Elephants and Rhinos


Below an infant elephant takes its first steps.  Astonishing, delightful video footage.

The Suburbs - Arcade Fire

I just want you to know that I already owned The Suburbs by Arcade Fire - the Canadian Group which won album of the year.  I'm so relieved that there is something current that I know about.   I've never seen American Idol, I didn't recognize any of the groups on the Times top 10 downloads list (except for Rihanna - who I've heard of but couldn't identify any of her songs).  So here's my favorite by Arcade Fire.

Happy V Day - Bowsprite style

Thanks to Bowsprite

W. O. DECKER (1930)
Hull Material: WOOD
Ship Builder: Russell Drydock. Rebuilt in 2005-2006, C. Deroko et al.
Length (ft.): 47.8
Hull Depth (ft.): 5.6
Gross Tonnage: 27
Net Tonnage: 18

8TH SEA (1953)
Hull Material: STEEL
Ship Builder: American Electric Welding
Length (ft.): 45
Hull Depth (ft.): 7.9
Gross Tonnage: 29
Net Tonnage: 23

See Tugster’s site for more romantic shots: http://tugster.wordpress.com/2008/09/08/noses-3/

The science of kissing : philematology. Contribute to science…kiss a tugwoman/tugman.

Happy Valentine's Day - 情人节快乐

Happy Valentine's Day! 

情人节快乐！

- George

Kelly Slater & top surfers coming to Long Island

Kelly Slater, 10 time world champion and other top surfers are coming to Long Island, chasing a million dollar purse, the Times reports.  I remember trying to surf on a heavy 11 foot surfboard at Gilgo Beach.  


I wasn't the swimmer that my brother Peter was.  When I could catch a wave I had only a few seconds of fun as the board slipped down the wave face - no fancy turns, etc.  But I got a glimpse of what fun it could be.  I have seen the surf at Rincon Point near Santa Barabara and seen the kind of conditions in which Kelly Slater is featured here.

Bowsprite - a New York Harbor Sketchbook

Have I mentioned Bowsprite?  She rides her bike all around lower Manhattan (mainly) and paints fanciful ink drawings of the harbor and waterfront.  Never seen a pink tugboat?  You have now.  Her tools are below.  You'll find her at Bowsprite - a New York Harbor Sketchbook.

China - it's not just bullet trains and skyscrapers

It's great scenes like this from a market in the Chinese City of Yulin by Brian Glucroft, guest blogger for James Fallows at The Atlantic.

Hinckley Sou'wester

I remember the day in the summer of 1960.  It was blowing 25 from the southwest, the Sound covered with whitecaps, as we watched a single sailboat push through the chop, under jib and mizzen, approaching the old harbor at Block Island.  Everyone knew enough to stay at the dock that day.  But that rule didn't apply to the hardy couple who had a Hinckley Sou'wester.  It could have been this boat.

NY NJ Baykeeper - and its Pedersen skiff

Never have I seen a boat that looks more like our Zobel, built in Sea Bright - not far from Keyport where  Hans Pedersen built this gem. Tugster has the story on the boat and the NY NJ Baykeeper organization.