Cedar Key - Day # 37 - "You say goodbye, and I say Hello, Hello, Hello"

The lyrics to the Beatles' song "Hello, Goodbye" are running through my head this morning as we begin our last full day here in Cedar Key.  Soon it will be time to say "Goodbye"........I really prefer saying "Hello!"  So, if I say "Hello" when I see you today, and not "Goodbye" you'll understand.

I had a mental list of 15-20 things that would be accomplished on Saturday, and pretty much I never got past #1 on my list until it was too late in the day.  That's life, huh?  Fortunately I still have another full day before we lift off.  

#1 on my list was finishing Pat's bike rebuild.  I had gotten a message from him late Friday that the brake, and shifter cables had arrived......he brought them over first thing Saturday so I could install them, and then do the final adjustments to the derailleurs, and shocks.  The cables are all routed through the carbon fiber frame of the bike.  I found it is much easier removing the cables, than installing them.  I won't go through all the machinations I went through trying to get each cable to exit the frame at the proper spot.  Normally it would take me maybe 15-20 minutes to route all the cables, cut off the excess and begin to adjust the brakes and derailleurs.....instead it took me over 2 hours just to route the cables......the good news is now, if I had another frame just like this one, it would take 20 minutes tops.

The GT STS-1 rebuild is complete.......almost....the new tires did not come in Friday, or Saturday, so Pat will have to install those.  

While I was putting the finishing touches on the GT a gentleman, staying right next to us in site #6, came up to the trailer dragging a bike.  He had been "Googling" bike shops, and was about to leave for Gainsville when he spied me working on Pat's bike.  He said, "Can I be so lucky as to have found a bike mechanic right here at Sunset Isle?"......I said...."yeeesss"...waiting for the $64,000 question......"well, can you fix THIS!"  THIS was a lady's bike with two out of true rims, and a rear tire that had been apparently drug behind his vehicle a short distance rubbing a hole in the tire and tube.  He needed the bike operational by Sunday.  I didn't have any tires that would fit his bike, so I suggested he drive into Walmart and get a new tire and tube, and bring them back.  I didn't think I would see him again until Sunday, but he was back in a little over an hour.  I was able to install the new tire and tube in a few minutes, but truing both wheels, and re-adjusting the brakes took about an hour.  So, we started with a very unhappy guy, and a completely non-functional bike, and ended up with a very happy guy insisting I accept $40 in payment......he says "Look, Clarke, I was prepared to buy a new bike so, you saved me a couple hundred dollars...$40 is small by comparison"......big smile on my face!

We had a date with Bill and Debby to go into the Island Hotel for dinner, and while we were waiting for them I caught this sunset picture with Chris paddling his Sea Eagle in the foreground.

Here is what I spent part of the $4o on....a couple of Cigar City Maduro Brown Ale's at the Tiki Bar (okay, we stopped off on our way into the Island Hotel).  Just about the time I was half way through this very tasty ale  the sun was dipping below the horizon.

 Sunset # 37.......the saying goes....."red sky at night....sailors delight", and what a delight # 37 was!

I will miss the long after glow here in Cedar Key......around 6:30 we headed downtown for dinner at the Island Hotel....this is our second time here with Bill and Debby.  This time we sat in their funky bar (below).....yep, I don't know what other word would be more precise.

Courtesy of the Island Hotel website

We had a lovely dinner, and spent a lot of time talking about future meetups......there is a beer festival taking place in Lawrence, Kansas in May, and we will be seeing them there along with Brian and Maria (The Roaming Pint), and, hopefully, Dennis and Jeanette (Cheddar Yeti) who were not able to make it to Cedar Key this year.  After that we're hoping to hookup again somewhere in the Northern Sierras in July, or August.

Our sojourn here in Cedar Key may be coming to a close, but the memories will remain with us, and will not fade......the memories of great sunsets, amazing friends and island life will be ever present as we move inexorably toward each new horizon and adventure filled with awe and anticipation.

Thanks for stopping by!