I got a new bike!

After a very long bike ride to a post office and grocery store, I had complained about my bike enough that Steve decided I needed a new one for Christmas. My bike was hard to pedal and the pedals would hit the ground when I rode over a bump or turned the bike too quickly. Not good. I do not need to fall off a bike. We went to a bike shop and I felt a little like Goldilocks. Too tall, too short, not comfortable, too expensive. No bike for me at that shop. We found another shop and checked out bikes there. Too short, too expensive, just right!

My new bike is gorgeous and comfortable! The bike shop took the basket from my old bike and put it on my new bike. Yesterday we took another long bike ride to get Ryder to a groomer. What a difference! I look forward to riding my bike now! After we dropped Ryder off, we rode through some neighborhoods and along the bay. I got some good bird photos.

Ryder is very festive! She is freshly groomed, smells good and came home with a Christmas collar. We will be leaving Dunedin on Friday for St. Petersburg. Rebecca and Chris will be driving down to join us Saturday, along with Bella and Remi. Sara will be flying in with Olivia on Monday. Our boat will be overflowing with love and Christmas cheer!

A decoration outside the dentist's office

We went in this store to find a place to groom Ryder

My new bike! Isn't it gorgeous?

Before grooming. She always looks kind of scruffy.

A lawn ornament we saw along the way.

Before today I have seen one ibis - here's a whole flock!

There are plenty of osprey along the bay

There are boxes like this to encourage osprey nesting - the dad had just dropped off a fish, and the mom is keeping an eye on me.

The dad was watching me from another vantage point

A very cool fish bike rack in Dunedin.

And here's the little girl all spiffy

Love the little collar - and she doesn't seem to mind it