Apr 9 - a good, long day

... or at least it seemed that way.

I left at 6:45 and got to the hotel in Disney World -- the Port Orleans Riverside -- just before 8:30. It's a small place, only about 2500 rooms ... and it took Olivia and her boyfriend (Kieran sp?) a few minutes to get down to reception after my call, but then we were off for NSB.

Knowing that Sandy had an acupuncture appointment, I took them the scenic route through Merritt Island, boring them until they fell asleep. If you're going slow enough, and if you're traveling west, you can look for alligators, but we weren't and we weren't.

We got home just a couple of minutes before Sandy. Olivia and Kieran had decided that they wanted to go for a boat ride even though that would put a dent in their plans to get back to Disney's Animal Kingdom, so I busied myself with organizing the boat and soon thereafter we were off.

Was it ever busy ! I didn't have to wait to launch, but I only found one place that I could park, on the grass at the edge of the lot. It was busy on the waterway too, with boats everywhere it seemed, all fishing. Perhaps there was some contest of which I'm unaware or perhaps it's just because it was a beautiful day and there is a long weekend; perhaps because the kids are off school during this pre-Easter week -- whatever. The dolphins were busy too ! We saw many, which I think was the highlight for Olivia.

We did our usual, going out into the ocean, just a little because it was reasonably rough, over to the sandbar for a walk, to Down the Hatch for a quick lunch and then back home. At the sandbar, minnows were everywhere. Abby had a blast. If we had had more time, we would have spent more time on the water but Disney was calling.

Back home, I flushed the motor and rinsed the boat while Sandy took them for a quick drive on the beach. I snuck a pb&j sandwich to complement my salad for lunch, and then we were back in the car on the way back to Disney. By 5pm I was dropping them off; by 6:30 I was back home.'

It seemed like a long day. The driving was equivalent to a to/from Toronto day from the cottage but being out in the sun all day tires you out as well. We were watching a Stargate episode (yes, had to squeeze one of those in) and I was checking email and saw the Judith wanted to know if I was going to do another Permanent. I called her and said yes, short notice, but tomorrow (today). She said that she would call back ... and did about 45 minutes later having made arrangements, I presume, in the meantime for care of her 2 year old. So ... I'll have company today.

I've decided to take the "sports car" today for my ride, rather than the "hummer". I'm still having problems with chafing due to seat angle, placement or old shorts so I'm hoping that an adjustment that I made last night plus wearing the new shorts will help. If not, then I'm in trouble.

Sandy has a doctor's appointment in Orlando, basically a follow-up for her back problem for which the acupuncture is prescribed. She's planning on going to Winter Park for some shopping or other while she's there so Abby will spend the day alone. My day will be long -- last time it was a 10 hour ride since it's 138 miles -- plus the 45 minutes driving there and back -- so she'll probably beat me home.

That's about it. I've already eaten breakfast and am mostly, well slightly, organized ... I've got to pack the bike etc.

No time to run off at the fingers this morning typing a blog ...