May 5 - time to celebrate

Cinco de Mayonaise ... and our anniversary.

We didn't do much celebrating.  Sandy had a hankering for Sushi, so we went to the place at the Beachside Publix mall.  It's adequate, not wonderful.  We're looking forward to Japan !

It was time for some catchup and planning.  I did some ridewithgps work, loading up the 1200k routes for Blue Ridge to Bay (DC Randonneurs) at the end of May, Sofia Varna, Lleida Leon Lleida and Aquitaine.  I exchanged emails with the Lleida and Sofia organizers, making sure that I had a place to park the car during the ride.  I've got to do the same with France.  Italy is a long ways off !

Sandy did some hotel bookings for her Santiago walk, checked out locations in Bordeaux, etc.  I'm sorting out what to do about cell phone access; do we get sim cards or simply pay the $10 per day travelpass.  It might be worth trying out the sim cards ... once we have the global version in hand it can be topped up or, if it doesn't make sense, revert to travel pass. 

I've got a new bike gps -- the Wahoo Elemnt Bolt.  I've been using the Garmin 705 since 2009 but recent issues and the fussiness of using it had me looking for an alternate solution.  Unfortunately there's nothing perfect.  The Bolt is less fussy -- picks up ridewithgps files via bluetooth and wifi -- and also maps, but it doesn't show street names and has no native navigation.  Although it may sound silly, I'm organizing my cockpit; the Bolt is smaller, requires less charging; the cell phone takes up a lot of space; I've got a spare light up there ... one solution is a handlebar extender to add more real estate.  Certainly the light could go there.  The more space I take up with do-dads, the less space I have for alternate hand positions and/or the more awkward those positions, which produces numbness and carpal tunnel issues. 

Sandy did some work on the flower beds; weeding and mulching.  She's got a lot more work before we leave.  Right now we don't have a solution for maintaining while we're away.  Without some attention, it will be a huge mess by the time we're back.

Today I should go for a bike ride but the prediction was for rain.  I'll see if there's a break in there somewhere for a short spin and also a trip to the sandbar with Cassie. 

Marda flew into Orlando last night and Sandy is heading over there for lunch, dance at the Dr. Phillips Center and overnight with Marda.  Marda then flies back tomorrow. 

This is it ... the last week ... we head north next weekend.  There's a lot to do !

Onward !