Port Townsend was planned to be a mere blip in our trip…a sleep n’ a go..a chat n’ a chew..but it turned out to be much more than that. This was a tough place to leave for The Birds. We were gifted with some new friends, a farm visit, a marriage, and a calm place to sleep..with boxes of spotted bananas and too many dates to count.
It seems in the distant past, but The Birds were first ‘formally’ introduced to Danielle and Keith, a brother-sister combo of goodness, on the ride into Port Townsend from the ferry. Things seemed promising on the new friend frontier for the following reasons:
- Keith has an ‘antennae’ on his helmet.
- Danielle also just graduated; a double in anthro and photography.
- The wanted to drink beer with us.
- They also happened to be wearing too much spandex, were mounted on fellow steeds(bikes), and we seemed to be going in the same direction.
- They smelt of mint and chocolate chip.
Driven by hunger of the food and beer variety, we ambled down the street to Sirens for some music and to meet up with the combo of goodness. Over really bad oyster shooters and really good stouts we hatched our plans for the next day…which had slyly turned into another day in town. It was laundry night, which was good on the smell front, but maybe not so good on the style front. That night The Birds slept in beds with pillows!! for the first time in 11 days! There were pillows for each birds, even!
We awoke with our new friends tucked between our feathers, nestled on the floor to a very busy day. Fueled by our morning bike convoy to Eat Too Much Breakfast, The Birds headed to check out the Farmer’s market and grab some local grub for our evening feast. We met camera-happy Paul from Sequim Lavender Co. who was a local grower and also inventor of lavender filled bandanas for people, horses, dogs, chickens, ….really, anything that has a neck. He adorned us with lavender packets and oils..which we wear and hang in our tents. It actually makes The Space Between Showers almost like a day at the spa.
We rode our steeds on over to The ReCyclery for some TLC and exciting bike hoopla. The workspace is all outside in a gorgeous space and the co-op is run on donations and volunteer power. Everyone was really helpful and Lily jazzed up Hose’s bike with a pink water bottle holder while Goocher finally got her spring happy pedal fastened down with the help of Chauncey. This was also the instigator of The Time the Safety Flags entered our lives. Never to be young or hip again, we fly the Safety Flags with proud admittance to our car paranoia and urge to live past this trip.
Micah, who not only volunteered at Recyclery, was a ‘Hunk’, but he also works at Collinwood Farm. He showed us around and introduced us to a co-worker who lived in the loft at the farm. We cleared out an old kale crop with the help of Oliver. Although Oliver was only 21/2 years old, he knew that he didn’t like John Deer. I had a strong urge to ‘adopt’ Oliver and take him on our trip to up our cuteness factor and to appease my ticking biological clock. Don’t worry, I didn’t put him in my pannier.
The Night The Birds Were Married
The house was set up on a hill, held strong by brick and filled our with art, a cowhide, and a big dining table. The Birds, Micah, Lily, Danielle, and Keith got married. Yes, it’s true. We had to have the Engagement dinner the same night as the wedding because, well, we just didn’t have that much time..and what they say is true. When you know, you know. So far, being married feels pretty good. I haven’t lost my freedom to travel and everyone seems to be ok with the hamsters nuzzled in my armpits. That night over Flat Tire Ale, the newlyweds talked about their imagined futures with Buttonhole jokes becoming a constant form of entertainment. Newleywed and time for bed, Birds rode off to Bed…
love, Elkmother…keep reading. It’s good for you.
Birds on Bikes 