Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown

After discovering rowing this past year, Rebecca recommended a book by Daniel James Brown called The Boys in the Boat: Nine Americans and Their Epic Quest for Gold at the 1936 Berlin Olympics.  The book is set in the mid-1930s and tells the true story of Joe Rantz, a young man who struggles to pay his way through college during the Depression and finds a place for himself on the university rowing team at U Washington.  In this amazing tale of resilience, we learn of his difficult childhood, his determination to make something of himself, and his eventual journey to Berlin in 1936 to compete for the Olympic gold on the US rowing team.  All throughout the book, the author weaves in details about life during the Depression including political tensions in Europe before World War II.

As it happens, Dean was in Seattle and took time out to find the actual boat house where Joe and the U Washington team stored and launched their boats.  The university is renovating the boat house and will include an exhibit upstairs where the famous George Pocock designed and built boats by hand.

We all liked the book and found the story deeply inspiring.  Some skimmed through details of the races in the middle of the book knowing that the climactic Olympic race was coming at the end.  The book prompted many interesting discussions including topics such as resilience, history, and life as a woman during that time.

Rebecca served a delicious lunch culminating with a homemade fruit tart from her daughter.

After lunch, Rebecca took us to the harbor in Santa Cruz where she rows and taught us a bit about the boats and the art of rowing.

Then we ventured down toward the lighthouse and beach.

We were sad to miss Lisa this time around, but we were so thankful that Liz could join us in person.  As always, we loved seeing Karen, who unfailingly dials in from across the pond.  What a beautiful day!