Jun 11 - tires ? hmmm

Well, the Arnstein Garage is closed on the weekend, so Sandy's car will be heading over there first thing Monday a.m.  I jacked up the rear and removed that wheel -- everything looks ok -- perhaps it's simply the rim being out of round and the constant vibration up and down having accelerated the wear.  In the meantime, I put one of the snow tires on it.  They look brand new and of course that rim will be round.  I may take her car to Britt for Mass today and see how it feels.  Either way, it's going into Arnstein tomorrow.

I repacked the bike, worrying over that setup, found another way to insert the fork, decided to take the brakes off after all.  The big case is so much simpler than this S&S case !  The only part that's going to be in my suitcase is the rear rack and of course the bags.  I"m still tempted to go to a hard S&S case.  Maybe ...

I went through my bike travel checklist, did much organizing, packed clothing after doing a wash -- too much clothing -- and organized electronics.  Electronics for the bike ?  Yeah, two GPS's, batteries for lights, take-along USB cables, charger for drop bag, on and on.  I downloaded the gps files for the ride and copied them to the two units.  As for clothing, I'll have to decide what actually goes with me on the bike sometime before 10pm on the 17th, vs what goes into my drop bag and what stays in my luggage at the hotel.  I really don't know how to predict the weather on this one as night riding outside of the cities can be a lot different than city weather.  I expect that I'll need to use the front bag as well; just too much to carry in the rear.  That too will be a relatively last minute decision.  I've left myself options.

I'd picked up gas in town on Friday so I topped off the Whaler tank and took Cassie for a ride.  It was a slow trip back as the waves were really rolling.  Today is supposed to be even windier, steady at 50 kph.  Yikes.  It looks like the wind has changed direction, however, now coming from the north.

A little after midnight the generator kicked on.  I got up around 3am and called Hydro's automated system, found that, of course, the outage had already been reported and that some 1400+ customers were impacted -- good -- more is better as it gets some attention.  The estimated restore time was 4:30.  They ran a little behind because the generator stopped at 5:30. 

Yesterday or perhaps it was Friday, I weed-whacked the grass/weeds by the kitchen, including the hill and up over the septic weeping bed.  I'm sure that it will be quite overgrown by the time we get back two weeks from now.  I still haven't done the "back 40"; will tackle that with the DR trimmer when we get back.  It needs some exercise too.  It's great for heavy stuff.

It was hot yesterday, after the rain and drizzle stopped.  Well over 80F and sunny, it was an abrupt change back to the weather that we've had leading up to last weekend.  The wind and the cold took their toll on the water temperature though.  It had been up to 76F and now dropped to 66F.  The wind can do that on its own as it brings up colder water from below.

I've been wanting to get out fishing but not staying in one place long enough; hopefully when we get back.  By that time, or within a couple of days, Bass will be open as well and we (Cassie and I) can go out in the morning.

I haven't packed my civilian clothing yet, for want of a better term.  Jeans, t-shirts etc. will be packed today.  We're not rushing out of here tomorrow; I want to get within a half-dozen hours of Reading.  On Tuesday we'll stop in Reading, see everyone for a short visit and then head to our hotel at the Philly airport.  I've got an early Wednesday flight to Seattle and will take the shuttle from the hotel.  Sandy and Cassie will visit Doris, Nico and Wayne before Cassie is left with Debbie for the better part of a week.  Sandy will then head to Marda's.

Random thoughts ... lots to do ... Onward !