Bay Bridge Paddle!

Bay Bridge Paddle, The Steamer course.  Didn't think I was going to actually do it due to knee and back and on the morning of the event the wind and seas were up.  But packed everything and headed to Sandy Point.  The wind was still up, so picked up my packet and resigned myself to not doing it.  But right before the start for the Steamer the wind started to let up and the conditions began to improve.  I changed my mind, ran to the parking lot and got my board and gear.  I got on the water just as everybody else was around the first turning mark.  Taking the mindset that starting so late and being careful of my hurts, that I would just concentrate on having a good ride and making it to the end.  Wind was from the northeast and the tide was running out.  On the leg to the bridge I made up decent ground and got back into the pack.  In the span was tough as usual, and I did end up knee boarding a bit after a fall as I didn't want to re-twist my knee.  The leg from the span to the finish was all upwind and against the tidal current, and again just took the approach of not trying too hard and getting to the end, but I ended up passing a few more paddlers.  The last ride to the beach allowed some minor surf action which was fun, and of course I dumped it right before getting to the beach.  Somehow I ended up 31 out of 81.  Great time, and great to have the Seafood Festival back on the same day at Sandy Point, great rest of the day with food, drink, and music.