Friday and Monday

Friday was fun. The day started out overcast and I wasn't sure it was going to be worth my time going out there. I went to Three Vets and picked up a small, shoulder cooler and a beach umbrella. By about 1pm, the sun came out and I decided to go. I brought about 2.5 gallons thinking that I was heading down late and I really didn't want to bring any home. After parking my bike, I went and stood at the head of the stairs waiting for someone to come along whom I might ask to help me down the stairs. The first people that came along were a couple, and when I asked them they looked at each other and hummed and hawed and said that I hadn't chosen the strongest people to ask. The next people I asked were two young guys and they had to consider it for a moment as well. They did finally help and said I was getting a good deal by offering just $5. I ended up giving them each a cup of lemonade, instead.
The cops were down there, again, which was fine for me. Some of the beer sellers just went home, knowing it wasn't worth the bother. But then, later, the GVRD guys came down and since I hadn't spoken to them yet I was nervous. The two cops and the two GVRD guys were standing right next to my stuff, and since I needed some more lemonade anyway, I decided that I should just go over there and see what they'd say. They totally ignored me and walked away shortly after. I thought, "booyackasha! they don't care about some chic selling lemonade."
It was such a lovely afternoon and I managed to sell out. The smaller cooler was awesome! I carried the pitcher and one bag of ice in the small one, the cups in my hand and left the rest of the ice in the bigger cooler. I put up the umbrella and it quickly fell apart...one of the spoky things broke and then poked a hole in the fabric and the fabric started ripping at multiple seams...and then it blew away twice. But it did keep the lemonade quite a bit cooler. I'm taking it back, though, it wasn't worth $8 .
The only unpleasant thing about Friday was the ride home. the trailer swayed back and forth behind me the entire way, which kept me from going any faster than a crawl. I tried using my bungee cord in all sorts of different ways to keep it from moving, but nothing worked. I tried lengthening the bar attachment and finally the only thing that worked was for me to reach around and hold onto the bar as I rode. No, that was not safe nor comfortable, but it was driving me crazy to be going so slow on the way home. It seemed so unfair. At the bottom of the 10th Ave. hill, I stopped at a gas station and called to see if my roommate with a car was home to come pick me up, but she wasn't and I felt like crying. It was about 8:30pm and I hadn't eaten since lunch and I was hungry and hot and tired. I decided to buy a chocolate bar to get me home, but they cost $1.19 + tax! What a rip off! The kid at the counter thought so too. Donuts were only 85 cents, so I decided to get one, but then the kid said that they throw them out at 9pm, so I could just have one or two or three. What a deal! So I ate a couple of donuts and set off on the long ride with my trailer pulling me from side to side. I think I pulled in about $91, which seems good considering I only brought half a jug.
After a fantastic weekend of camping, I knew I had to fix the trailer before using it again. It was just too hard to ride with in the shape that it was in. So I took it in, first thing this morning, to OCB. I put a small rubber shim around one end of the connection that was loose and then jammed the other end on and tightened the nuts as tight as I could get them. It seems to have worked, at least for now. I also put clipless pedals on, that I found on craigslist. I don't have any shoes yet, but that's the next purchase. I've had a hard time finding used shoes in my size, but I'll keep looking. Anyone have a spare pair in size 8 (38-39)? I have the cleats. I'm excited about using clipless. I think it will help a lot while carrying a heavy load.
I had another late start today because of going to the shop, so I got out there around 3pm. I brought only about 7L of lemonade and two bags of ice. The beach seemed dead, but there was a pretty steady flow of people coming down the stairs. The couple that helped me down didn't want lemonade or money, but they also seemed a little weird...or maybe they were just really high!
It's been fun getting to "know" the Wreck Beach regulars. I can't say that I know any of them as people, but I know them as fixtures on the beach, and they have all been kind to me. And so far, they've all liked my lemonade and have been very impressed that I haul the trailer up and down the stairs. I chatted with a few of them, today, about the GVRD and they all seemed to think that they don't bother you until they have a "case" against you. They ask around and observe until they know that you are actually selling something. I'm not sure what the loopholes are or what I can actually get away with, but some vendors have been selling down there for ten years without permits. The "sweet buns" guy and I chatted for awhile today and he says that permits cost $250. That's a little above my budget. Sweet Buns also said that they just kick you off the beach if they catch you without a permit. I actually got offered a job today, selling popsicles and cheesecake for someone else. He's all legit, with permits and everything, but he works on a commission basis and wants weekends....sounds like a JOB to me! No way. I was a little more nervous when I saw the GVRD today...since now I'm not sure that they don't care about me. In fact, I'm sure they do care about me, they just don't want me to know it.
I guess we'll see. I can't imagine that it is actually worth anyone's time to "investigate" me, but hey, they gotta spend our taxes on something!
There was a cherry grower selling his leftover fruit from a farmers market. He told me about the psychology of fruit selling: people don't want fruit on cloudy days. I guess this is "common knowledge" among fruit sellers, but who knew? We traded a cup of lemonade for a bag of cherries.
I have a feeling that this posting is much too long now...sorry. Briefly, I sold out, but only made about $45. It's actually fine with me, because I had such a mellow day. And my trailer seemed to work just fine, which was the real blessing of the day.
It's supposed to be raining tomorrow, so I'm not sure if I'll be down there.