March 6 -- nothing new !?!

A little warmer today -- mid 60's and sunny. Some wind as usual, about 10+ mph from the NE. I went out mid-day for a short ride -- going north. Traffic is still busy with bike week -- many of these bikers simply cruise the strip, it seems to me. I've still only seen one side-car, but lots of trikes -- some that look more like three wheeled cars. I turned around at Granada St., Ormond Beach, which is about the 25 mile mark. It was a day to enjoy the sights -- the bikers that is -- I was cruising just like them.

I went to home depot afterwards and picked up a couple of things, including some wasp/hornet spray -- we have a nest developing at the north peak -- I gave it a spray and a couple dozen hornets fell out -- that's the end of that nest.

With Sandy's help I cleaned out the boat's gas tanks. There was water and dirt at the bottom of both. I picked up a 5 gallon jerry can at Home Depot and a filter to do the work, but of course found that the fuel tanks are 5 Canadian gallons, or 6.6 U.S. gallons, so had to improvise with a water bottle. The tanks are very difficult to clean because there is a lip around the opening so inverting them does not drain that last cupful. Even taking the gas intake off didn't quite do it -- best solution was a clean rag pushed to the bottom which soaked up the remaining gas and water. The intake has a fine screen on it as well, so I'm not sure how any significant amount of dirt would have gotten to the carburetor -- I probably need to start using fuel stabilizer.

... and then, we called Jeffrey to let him know that we had heard his big news -- he's going to be a dad. He was a little upset that we had found out from Angelika, but it's not her fault -- Sandy pried it out of her. We could not see us sitting on this until we see him mid April -- we would not know how to appear surprised at that point, and it's more than a month away. He was with Sara at the Optomotrist so we could not have a full conversation -- he was hoping to have all his "ducks in order" as he put it, before talking to us. He doesn't know yet that your ducks are never in order when it comes to children !!

It's interesting -- he just turned 24 -- I had just turned 25 when I had an instant family with David and Stef -- we think of him as young -- I guess that I was young too ! Stef was even younger when she had Kylie -- and in spite of all this, the world keeps turning. Naturally as parents we have our share of concerns etc. but it all works out in the end. Obviously there will be more on this later !! It's an exciting time. What did Confucious say -- ?? -- May you live in interesting times ?? -- all times are interesting, depending on your perspective.

Sandy was talking to Patty Himes today -- and mentioned my riding -- her comment to Patty -- it's just like he has a job, he's gone 5 hours a day -- well, not quite everyday, but that is probably a good average ...

Back to the ride ...

Nutrition -- 1 water bottle; some liquified carb-boom (this is working well).

Ride stats -- 49 miles; 17.4 mph avg.