Quite some ways down the Chena [River], there was a loudish sort of "runch," and my captain's chair QUITE suddenly shifted backwards by about 15 degrees.  Apparently, it was quite a bit worse behind me--from Dr. Price's reaction: "What happened??!!"

      The lathing supporting the port side of the back of the craft had cleanly snapped in two.  Fortunately, we were prepared for such contingencies---and with some quick work (My, it must be nice to be young. . . .) by Jason (McDonald). . . .

       . . . We were on our merry.  :)

      Between you, me, and the Staten Island Ferry, I am . . . quite surprised (nay, DUMFOUNDED :) ;) ) that that was the only thing that broke on our craft.  :) ;) )

      Traveling down the Chena, we were most pleasantly surprised to see Dr. Bailey and his most bodacious fiancée "Doobie" on the shore: (This is where our pics of our craft in the water came from, 'n stuff.)

      I learned (months after the Regatta), that the reason Dr. Bailey is wet in these pictures--is because Heather (Parsons) was throwing water balloons at him.  :O :) This got me to thinking. . . . Heather lives a very priviledged existence---I mean, I'm an ~4.0 student, and I've been here on something of the order of 6 years ( :P :P :P :P ) . . . and I wouldn't DARE throw water balloons at a member of the faculty.  (!!) Dr. Bailey is industrial-strength cool, though.  :) :)

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(missing pic)

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      THE DOGGIES

      :) :) :) :)

      No web page on our entry in the Regatta can be complete with a thorough mention of the DOGGIES.  :) :) Joining us on our cruise, were the most bodacious Ro-Sie :) :) :) :) , and . . . Mr. Bubbles.  Well . . . he tries.  :) :)

      For once, "Bubbles" stole the show.  (Rosie is MUCH cuter.  :) :) :) :) And at least a 100-fold a better dog.  ;) ) It was because of his haircut; "Bubbles" was done up with a "full body mohawk," with red and green alternating feet, and a green, poofy "lion's tail." (!!) I couldn't find any pictures that really showed off his 'do, sufficently, so I included these from the Bubbles 2005 link.  (That link's pretty funny---ya' might want to check that one out, too.  :) ;) )

      (If you'd like to get a look at what the Mr. Bubbles normally looks like (i.e. before his new 'do. :) ), ya' can check out the Butt Nugget's home page

      Before the race, "Bubbles" peed on a jacket belonging to woman who was doing the registrations.  I was mortified---and said, "Tell me you're not a judge!" :P :) Later on, we did meet a judge.  She told me, "You win on just the dog ("Bubbles").  -You don't even have to go into the water." :) :)

      Bubbles. . . .

       . . . a little out of focus. :) :)

      Bubbles, shown with his dashingly handsome captain:

      :) :)

      When Ro-Sie :) :) got this "boat concept," she, well, freaked. ("Bubbles," of course, was completely oblivious.  :P ) But she trusts her Dad-dy.  :) :) Once she got used to the idea, she took to it like an old "sea dog" ( :) )---finding a comfortable bearth:

      Awwww! -Diddums is just SO CU-UTE!!

      :)