May 21 - getting organized for departure

I'm checking off a list ...

- hurricane shutters / window over the front door (these are attached with wing nuts and accessible with ladder) ... done

- X5 oil change ... done (what a messy job this is because the oil filter cartridge is underneath the car)

- Brake Pads ordered for X5; delivery today (I'll do the work up north) ... done

- move wine from garage cooler to small kitchen cabinet cooler ... done

- retrieve kayak from yacht club (this gets stored in the garage) ... done

Still to do ...

-- battery out of boat at marina (and decide what I'm taking up north and setup batteries with trickle charger in the house)

-- prep and cover the skiff

-- bring in the satellite dish

-- prep and bring in the grill

-- new tires on the X5 (appt for 10am at Tire Kingdom)

and of course much, much more with the computer upstairs and other packing.  I've already got the trailer loaded with the two bikes and items available immediately for packing.  The hurricane shutters are closed in stages.  First I do that one with the wing nuts, then the shutters upstairs and then, just before we leave, walk around the house and close at all the main floor windows and doors.  That's left until the last minute as it then gets pretty dark in here !

I also have to cover the toilets, turn off the water and outside gas line etc. etc.  That's all last minute stuff.

I've already packed bikes, clothing and gear, tools and spares.  Most of that went into the trailer.  The kitchen counter beside me is piled with stuff, mostly papers, that'll end up in my briefcase. 

The current plan is to eat at the SYC tonight and leave tomorrow morning.  That will likely get us up to the cottage on Saturday, depending on when and where we stop.  I'm sure that the black flies will be there to greet us.  Groan.

I've yet to pack a clothing bag with t-shirts, socks, underwear and the like.  That's easy stuff.  Sandy has been busy packing too.  I hope that it all fits !

Onward !