Jun 2/3 - downpour

I guess that the most notable thing about yesterday might have been the downpour after dinner.  Wow.  I got out an umbrella and raincoat and went up to the driveway to see how the berm and driveway were handling the water .... all good, but I'm going to beef up the berm in one place. 

The hummingbirds are crazy.  There are three feeders out there now and they empty them in a day. 

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Well, I found this start-of-a-blog for June 2nd and now must add June 3rd.

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The rainy-ish weather continued on into June 3rd with a little drizzle and heavy cloud.  I'd pretty much decided that I'd leave my last ride before traveling until Wednesday, and that sealed the deal. 

I did a bunch of stuff ...

-- lawn mower and weed eater
-- replaced sprinkler valve that doesn't seem to open up completely to improve water flow
-- replaced the hose bib fitting at the garden which was leaking a little
-- increased the water pressure at the lake pump
-- went over to Jim's, helping him take apart the guts of his pressure washer; he's now soaking that stuff in vinegar to remove calcium and soap build-up that stopped it from working
-- also brought along the router that I'd setup for Bonnie and cable that Jim is going to run from the dock
-- finally met Al, Sally's husband -- Sally being Jim's sister.  They live in Florida, close to Pensacola.  Interestingly enough, they also do Warm Showers !
-- created an additional Europe SD card ... there's very little quite as critical as being able to navigate !
-- organized, sorted, packed ... nothing really packed yet because it starts with the bike.  Even my roller duffel with all the bike clothes starts with the bike since the rack-pack goes in there.  Everything is piled in the bedroom (bike clothes and such), the den (electronics and such) and untouched yet (regular clothing). 
-- brought down the little trailer; yes, that's going to Hemmingford.  I don't have any other easy way to get the bike box from here to there.  I suppose that I could use the hitch rack ... hmmm.

Sandy is pretty much packed, clothing-wise.  She's been planning that from when we were in Florida, buying some new clothes etc.  She of course has the easier job (because she's not biking).  She did a bunch of trip-related organizing, printing out critical reservations, bringing her file up to date.

What I am able to bring bike-related nutrition, in the final analysis, will depend on my scale.  I'll load stuff into the bag and then weigh it, mindful of the 50 pound limit.  We also have non-bike food stuff.  Gels, bars, cereal, coffee ... they all add up.  I can take some heavier stuff in my carry-on bags, other than gels of course.  Stupid rules on gels, paste, liquid ... I always end up with a couple of back-breaking carry-on bags.

There's no word on Sandy's car yet.  The bumper is in transit, we believe.  We're trying to see if David or Stef could get the car to Barrie; also left an email for Jason, but it all depends on it actually being fixed, of course.

Speaking of fixed ... the 4-wheeler must know that I'm planning on bringing it in for service.  It started up and purred yesterday so that I could move the little trailer down to the house.  I told Jim that I'd borrow his trailer when we get back to take the bike down to Parry Sound.

The Weed Eater has also been running like a champ.  It too knows that it's on the chopping block if it refuses to start.  I'm looking at walk-behind string trimmers so that I can do the property.  I may order one of these into Reading ... for pickup when we're down there for Matthew's birth.   

We've eaten well, as usual.  Trout, fiddle-heads, asparagus, chicken, Jerry's potatoes from last year, rice ... cleaning out the fridge and the freezer.

Today, the 4th, will be busy.  I'm riding and then the real packing and loading will begin.  I'll do final backup of computer stuff; a lot of racing around.  I should get into town to pickup the mail; not sure that will happen.  Maybe I should take a back-pack and ride into town, killing two birds with one stone ?  That would be interesting.  I don't actually do rides-with-a-purpose. 

Tomorrow a.m. we'll leave for Hemmingford.  Sheryl has invited Sheila over for dinner -- Sheila is looking after Sandy-doggy and Abby while we're away.  I've got Abby's food pretty much organized ... we'll be taking her bed and some of her toys as well.  We're going to miss each other !!

It's time for breakfast for me and Abby ...

Onward !