So there I am, Chasing Mercury in the  Open Water Rowing Regatta #41, and my tenth. That barge in the background was awfully annoying blocking my view to Cone Rock as I aimed for it. It was a gorgeous day.  The water was perfect. My adjusted time was 58 minutes on a 5.3 NM course so a little under 10 minutes per English mile.  Yep--I was 5 minutes behind the first place rower--but she was 20 years younger than me--and I was proud to be anywhere on the same water with her.  When you do things out in the environment it really pushes you to protect it. Everyday I cry for the children who have never known this kind of peace.