Jul 6 - finally some rain

It's been very dry here.  The grass/weeds are parched.  The good news is that I haven't had to mow as much !  I did get the whacker out yesterday and do the are by the kitchen, including the hill. 

Earlier in the day I got the Bayliner into the water. which took some time.  David and I had put the back of the boathouse  carriage up on blocks so that the motor could completely drain.  I had to bring down the car jacks and lift it off the blocks.  Of course it was also piled with tarps from the gazebo and the small kayaks.  I cleared all that off and rolled it into the water; the motor started up right away ... great !  I then put some gas into the tank and we were ready to roll.

We went for a good long ride to the dam, Smith's Bay Landing and Lost Channel.  The lake was almost flat calm, so it was a great ride.  Rain was threatening but still north of us, according to the Doppler.

Before we left, Kim came over and said her good-byes.  She was about to leave as well.  I assume that she made it to the airport on time and everyone is now in their respective homes.

Once back from our boating, Sandy and Marda had lunch and then did some more touring, this time into Loring -- The City !  On the way back they saw action at the dump but didn't have their key, so they came back, picked up the key and went to see the three bears without Goldilocks, according to Marda.  Halle was doing his thing at the dump, apparently, and it's partly cleaned up. 

I did some more packing, experimenting with the semi-soft sided bike case, loading the bars with stem attached, rack, bags and clothing to see how it would all fit.  At the moment that also has my cycling shoes and helmet, two items that were in my carry-on going to Seattle.  It would be great it they all fit in this bag as they take up a huge amount of space in my carry-on.  I'm thinking that I'll be able to use my backpack for laptop etc. and a few clothing items.  I don't really need the laptop but it's pretty light and I've got a day in Boulder before the ride and I know that I'll also give it some use in the airports.

Right now we've got dense fog outside.  It's 66F.  I can't see the other side of the lake.  Unless that clears, that won't make for good fishing.

Speaking of fishing, Cassie and I did go out yesterday a.m., heading to the end of Smith's Bay again.  I brought home a small pike, threw back an 8" pike and two good sized catfish (I regret that), but it was the rock bass that I caught around 8:15 that ended the morning's fishing.  I've never caught rock bass there.  Judging from my fishing, their population has exploded.

Jim Matthews called and I spoke to both him and Bonnie.  It was good to catch up.  We agreed that we need to get together but, as usual, time is quickly slipping by. 

We had Sandy's lamb finger burners for dinner, always good. 

Sandy and Marda head south today; Marda flies back home.  Sandy will pick up Joyce and bring her up, staying until Monday when Sandy has a hair appointment in Toronto.  I, of course, should be riding in the mountains at that point.

I think that's it.  Onward !