Perhaps I’m betraying my age (or just my theatre-major background), but whenever this month rolls around, the lyrics from a song in Camelot runs through my head: “It’s May! It’s May! The lusty month of May!” My eyes can’t get enough of all the lush green abundance bursting out everywhere and the many hues of the flowers that FINALLY have started blooming. The first weekend in May brings with it the annual Run for the Roses — the Kentucky Derby — but here in the Pacific Northwest, another sporting event marks the start of the (warmer?? drier??) summer outdoor season. Saturday marks the Opening Day of boating season in the Puget Sound region, an event that’s been celebrated since 1895. With the Sound and all of the lakes and rivers, it’s not surprising that there is such a focus on watery transportation and recreation, be it by sailboat, yacht, Jet Ski, canoe or rowing shell. We never owned a boat during our many years in the Seattle area, but it wasn’t hard to get caught up in the excitement as the first Saturday in May approached. A log boom would be towed out and anchored into place in Lake Washington just beyond the Montlake Cut (a canal dug to connect the lake to Lake Union and, ultimately, the Sound) near the University of Washington. On Thursday, boats of all shapes and sizes start tying up to the boom in anticipation of Saturday’s regatta and boat parade (and non-stop partying). The Windermere Cup races, marking their 25th year in 2011, host over 700 athletes in rowing events featuring teams of high-school age rowers up to those 65 years old. Windermere Real Estate founder John Jacobi and the Husky crew coaches started the event to increase the level of competition at the annual regatta, and they succeeded magnificently. Over the years, men’s and women’s national teams from countries as far-flung as Egypt, China, Russia, New Zealand and Brazil have competed alongside rowers from elite college programs like Oxford, Cornell, Michigan, Dartmouth and the Naval Academy. This year the featured teams come from Cambridge, Stanford and the University of Oklahoma (who knew Oklahoma had a great crew team?!) alongside host Washington. Whether you’re caught up in the Derby excitement, boating, or just getting out in your own backyard, I wish you a pleasant weekend! — Patty Vanikiotis, associate editor/copy editor