Countdown...

We are in countdown mode.  I had my last sub assignment for this school year yesterday.  24 kindergarteners...24.little.bowls.of.jello.  Phew!  Among other things, we learned about the life cycle of the frog, looked at polywogs and drew them, read Pigs to the Rescue, and pondered the concept of inside/outside.  High fives to all of you teachers out there...

I weighed my two panniers and handlebar bag last night...29 pounds.  It seems heavy considering we are not camping, but I kept adding things...like the iPad, which is so much nicer when I'm looking at maps, and clothes...clothes for hiking, and biking, clothes for chilly weather, clothes for hot weather.  We are staying in Air B&Bs the majority of the time, and Patty has done a fantastic job of securing places all over Italy.  It was considerably less expensive than the hotels and we will get a much better chance to interact with the locals.  Win-win.

I put a new chain and brake pads on the Litespeed and Patty had some work done on her Lemond as well.  We are both happy with how the bikes are riding and keeping our fingers crossed that the plastic bags we will put them in with handlebars turned and pedals removed will be enough to protect them on the long flight into Rome.  We will be arriving around 7 in the evening and then navigate to downtown Rome via a local train and the Metro or subway.  Should be exciting.