7 days...a week away

It's super cold this morning. I'm really looking forward to some of that tropical weather.
It looks like it's going to be Plan B for getting to the ship. There's a Dunkin' Donuts close to the port. We're going to trailer the bikes there and unload them. The girls will stay at the Dunkin' Donuts and watch the bikes while Dave and I take the trucks and trailers back to the house and get the car full of the luggage. We'll go back to the Dunlin' Donuts where the girls will take the car to the port and Dave and I will ride the bikes there; a short ride.

I still have a little work to do to the bike. Friday and Saturday might be just warm enough to finish up
without freezing my fingers off. I did bring the saddlebags and side panel inside to clean and wax but there's more. The biggest and hardest job left is to clean and polish the rear wheel. It's really dirty and needs a good polishing. I'd like to try to remove some of the rust from the front rotors too. The dashboard and inside of the fairing needs a good going over too. Then it's time to revisit the engine and transmission to try to finish as much of the hard to reach places as possible. If there's time I hope to get the new horn installed.

8 Days To Go

I'm starting to get nervous. Only eight days to go until the cruise; seven if you consider that we're leaving the night before to stay with David & Annette. The long range weather doesn't look good for riding to the ship. I don't mind the sub-zero wind chills that we would have to endure for the short ride to the port but David doesn't like the thought at all. That and the awful condition of the roads. Today I'll call David and we'll work on plan B.

9 Days To Go...we're into the single digits

I spent almost two hours out in the cold yesterday, cleaning the bike. My fingertips are split from the drying effect of the cleaning compounds. It's definately not coming as clean as I'd like but it will have to do. I guess I've covered about 90% of the bike, except for the saddlebags and a side cover. I brought these inside to clean...where it's warm. One of the few areas left is the rear wheel. It's a real bitch to get at but the rim really, really needs to be cleaned. I hope to get to it today, before the weather turns. We're supposed to get about 8" of snow tomorrow. I watch the weather alot these days, especially the long range forecast. As of rright now, our departure day, Tuesday March 11th, is predicted to be 43 degrees and sunny. What that means it's good enough to ride from the Lissy's house to the ship. If we can ride to the ship we don't have to pay for parking for the trucks and trailers!!! Lately that's the best news I've had. Of course the day before is supposed to be 38 degrees with snow. That means there may be a chance of some black ice and some slop left on the roads to dirty up our nice clean bikes. I'm packing a cleaning kit for shipboard use...some plexus, a damp cloth or two and a few polishing cloths.

13 days...less than two weeks

I'm starting to get that nervous feeling I get before a trip. It's coming up so fast and I'm worried that I won't get everything done that I need to do.
I have quite a list but I can accomplish it if I use my time effectively...even watching little David.
I was looking over some cruise paperwork and I think we're entitled to an on-board credit of  $150. We reserved this cruise while still on the last cruise and we're supposed to get a credit equal to the deposit. It sure would be nice. It would cover the internet use. Internet may seem like a luxury but we need to stay in touch with home and it's the best way.

17 days to go

It's coming up fast. Supposed to be in the upper 50's today so I should be able to complete the remaining projects and go for a ride.
So far today I've installed the heat shields, saddlebag security hardware and discovered that the bike is filthy. I started cleaning a few spots. It didn't really matter where I started as the whole thing needs to be done. I think the part I hate the most is cleaning the alum. wheels. They're tough, you have to keep turning them and after ten years they don't come as clean and stain free as I'd like. There are also lots and lots of tight little spots. I purchased a set of Pimp Stixx to help clean. Today I'm going to start at the front and start moving back.

21 Days To Go...Three Weeks

Only 21 days until the cruise. Three Weeks! It's almost approaching too fast. There's still a bunch of stuff to do to the bike but luckily we're supposed to have a few 'warm' days soon. Today is sunny and about 45 degrees but I need to stay inside to watch little David. Friday is calling for 60 and chance of rain and Saturday partly cloudy and 50...ride days!

30 Days And Counting....It's Approaching Fast

30 Days...it's creeping up fast....basically a month away. Looking at the weather right now I hope we can ride to the ship and don't have to use trailers. I'm good anywhere above 35 degrees as long as it's dry. Wet and cold SUCKS!

There are two scenarios for using the trailers. The first is to trailer the bikes to the port, leave them, go back home with the trailers and return in the car. The second is to park the trailers near the port ($$$).

I still have a bunch of things to do to the bike. I installed the new battery and I have to install the battery maintainer today since we have 10 degree temperatures coming and it would be stupid to freeze a new battery. Update...done!

The two big things that are left are the horn and the heat shields. I expect the horn wiring kit to arrive in the next few days. It shouldn't be too bad a job to complete, if it warms up a little. The heat shields are another story. It has to be at least 50 degrees for the adhesive to stick.

Clothes are going to be an issue. I have to really watch what I eat for the next 30 days...try to lose whatever weight I can. Alot of the clothes that I planned on wearing won't fit. Oink!