Packed for Austin

Well, the gear is packed and the route is uploaded. The oil is changed, along with the clutch and brake fluid.

 

The few most important things in the pile of things going on the bike would be shelter, warmth, and navigation. I could make due with about half as much "stuff" but why bother when I have the space? I did not take a photo of the gear I am wearing for the duration but it is well rounded all season gear. The ride this time around will be anywhere from high 30s up to low nineties or high eighties. As this is the first trip since 2012 for camping off the bike, I am very excited!!

All of my gear is split between two side bags, rear trunk, tank bag, and I wear a backpack with a Camelbak for hydration (only when it is <90 a="" adequate="" air="" and="" are="" asprin="" avoid="" by="" campsite="" chap="" else="" few="" flow="" ground="" hammock="" has="" having="" hot="" i="" if="" is="" it="" jacket="" leatherman="" limited="" love="" me="" my="" not="" on="" or="" p="" park.="" prohibited="" sleeping="" small="" stick="" that="" the="" things="" to="" too="" trees="" way="" with="">

We are planning on attending the race on both Saturday and Sunday but getting just the general admission tickets. We found last year that although fun, and shaded, the seats were about twice the cost and that you could go and enjoy the race for less if you wanted to. I loved our seats but in order to attend multiple this year, corners need to be cut.

It is off to the Circuit of Americas and a trip to the grandparents next week!

Chicken Coop Plans

It make take the whole weekend and then some, but construction has begun on the chicken mansion. The Floor is nearly complete.

In the end, this will be an 8 x 6 small shed with nesting boxes and a hatch that opens at floor level to assist in sweeping out the dirty bedding. I am planning on adding vents and a solar panel to run the fan in the summer and heat bulb in the winter. As this is my first structure, I don't expect perfection but I am excited to learn some new skills. The coop will be home to twelve chickens in the end and will hopefully provide eggs for years to come.

Visitors

Well, at long last I have a few visitors to the feeder!!! Admittedly one of them is not quite what I expected...

This is a rarely sighted Christopher. 

Follow-Up: 4/3/14
I have also found that what I lack in deer population, I more than make up for in rabbits. We have rabbits everywhere!! They seem to be coming out of the wood work. It is going to be an epic struggle this year to manage to harvest our vegetables before the critters.