May 16 - getting organized

We are going to be spending very little time here this summer but that doesn't mean that there aren't things that need attending to !

First off, the docks, gazebo etc.  The small dock is now sort-of a parallelogram.  It's been losing boards each year and the ice did a job on it.  I could likely use the winch and pull it roughly straight again but that wouldn't help the fact that if you stand on one corner, you're likely to get your feet wet.  It's floating now; I pried it off the sand; but it needs replacing.  Talking to Steve at HHBC, the price is right - I  might be able to build one for what they'd charge for an 8x16 but it would be a whole lot of work and take time that I don't have ... so, not following in my Dad's footsteps, I ordered a dock for delivery.

The lights are now down from the gazebo and it's unwrapped.  The lights too are a problem.  Half of them are dead, not exactly living up to their Chinese guarantee.  They'll be going back if I can find the bill !

The big dock is in location but not in place on its step.  I need help for that or at least it would be a lot easier with help.  I've got to put tension on it with the 4-wheeler winch and then jack up the near ends to pull it onto it's summer resting step.

On and on ... this and that ... outside and inside organizing ...

I spent a bunch of time looking at hotels for the July Italian ride, exchanging multiple emails with Mark Thomas who was doing the same for the Seattle crowd.  He's come around to my conservative way of thinking on distances for the first two days and our bookings are partly aligned.  That will take a rest for a couple of days.

Now I'm looking at the 300k route for next weekend, working around a bridge being out in the Holland Marsh area.  I've got filings to do with the Ontario Ministry of Revenue for Randonneurs Ontario.  I just did a filing with Rhode Island for Randonneurs USA.  Hmm ...

It's beautiful out.  No bugs yet, it reminds me of summer in September.  They'll soon show up but are a bit delayed because they arrive as the lake warms up and that's running behind. 

Today we're off to Toronto and Come From Away.  I hope that it lives up to Sandy's billing !  She's seen it before.

Onward!