Since my last post there have been many miles on the bike both on the road and the trails, liters of carrot juice sipped and gulped, journeys with friends, fresh peaches and blackberries, glider flights launched, hobbit bars eaten, smiles and laughs that I needed the most, Whyte-Nynsha invasions, quests, breaths, and summer time vacation.
Much thanks to my friend John who managed to give my computer some much needed technological lyposuction. Posts to re-cap some of the summer’s adventures are on the way. First, you need to pick your time travel vehicle from one of the machines below, claim your mode of transport by posting a comment below.
Option #1: The quiet though thrilling, zero emission balsa wood glider. Book now for first class seating and check the post below for a video of this beauty flying the North Cascades air.
Option #2: Slightly dirty yet very fun mountain bike. Yes, that is me kissing a mountain bike that is not pink and named Sweet Melissa. Please don't tell her, but this one is getting added to the stable soon.
Option #3: Curvy Red Bellingham Beauty, my choice for sure, there's room for more to ride along.
Option #4: The Rancho Relaxo G-Rod inspired VW Rabbit makeover. Gutted to the bones inside for maximum rally driving effect and matte black finish to throw of the radar.
Option #5: The Kitty-Kat-Motor-Machine. Driver must take note of attached tail above rear tail-light and cat ears on helmet. Mt. Baker has some amazing roads and interesting "wildlife".
Option #6: You could hop on the back of one of these five foot crows, though I get the feeling they're not going anywhere soon...
Option #7: The Green Ninja. One word, phenomenal. Shown here in all its glory at the summit of Chinook Pass.
Option #8: Or maybe you'd prefer rolling on 32" rims, gauges, nozzles, ladders, and $300,000.00 of shined up fire dominating driving.
Option #9: Then again, who needs wheels when you can be on the sea. And for only $2.65 this ferry from Port Townsend to Whidby Island is a much better option than trying to swim the channel.
Option #10: Of course smaller river craft is what you're after this little gem at the Alsea General Store might suit you, I suggest replacing the Bud with bottles of fresh cold carrot juice.
Option #11: Sweet Melissa, among the singletrack, ferns, trees and summer beauty of the Chuckanuts.
Option #12: Then again your 'Birthday Suit' might be a good choice if your journey was a hot day long ride up high mountain passes and there is a cold mountain stream at the end of it all.
Option #14: Maybe you want to ride on a cloud, here are a couple I woke up to at the base of Mt. Rainier.
Option #15: My friend Patrick Means and his steed would make a wise and fast choice, that is if you can catch up to him to hold on. Shown here on the amazing Green line 6 Trail in Capitol Forest, where they could always use more of your money.
Option #16: The eco-friendly Airstream Trailer is popular among the masochists with the desire to travel.
Option #17a. b. or c. Three to choose from here, Red Vette, Pick-up, or the Rod.
Option #18: Big Mack Truck. Yep.
Option #19: There's always Amtrak, and it's only $5 extra to take your bike!
Option #20: Then again, you might find yourself with two flat tires and hitch-hiking your way into the back of a bow hunter's truck, studying closely the anatomy of a deer's side while you figure out how you're going to make it all they way home. Not to worry, it has a happy ending as most adventures out in the wild country do.
definitely the beer float. the rancho relaxo rabbit was a close second… hmm. would i get gary as my driver? cause that changes everything. but could we also take the beer float. cause i think we’d need it.
a bit jealous to see just how much fun you’ve had this summer!
ps- do you have to wear a bigger helmet now?
The green ninja for sure–or any motorcycle with room for two. I don’t want to work–I just want to hold on.
From Valle di Corsano, Italia
Beth (Isabella)
Carolina!
Yes, the float would suit you well, lots of rivers near Portland, and heck, you could just put it on the living room floor of your place and lounge in it. I think Gary would drive the VW rig for you. I cut my hair in the beginning of July on the first 100 degree day I experienced, so my helmet is the same size. Although my head does have the tendency to fill with a lot of hot air.
-Alex
Ciao Isabella!
Molto bene! The Green Ninja IS a good choice. I mean it has it all, style, speed, efficiency, handling, room for two too!
Good to see your by-line from Italia. Do you have a blog to document your travels? It would be fun to see.
-Alex
Welcome home,
I’m in Kauai, enjoying the sunrises and sunsets.
Going to yoga and swimming with turtles.
See you next week.
Definitely the beer float. I’ve already done one cross-country trek in the Rancho-style VeeDub. Great memories from that trip, but without a four-legged pal for company, it’s not quite the same.
No brainer – #16, and good training as well, I can see you tugging it up the Fedaia.
Dan,
Yeah, tugging an airstream up the Fedaia would be worth it so long as I can leave it at the summit forever and return to it at will on a magic carpet.
The motorcycle shot with the “Cat” reminded me of the Dolomiti German/Austrian swarm of bees sound.
Hope you are both healthy, happy, and not too hairy.
I had quite a summer checking out some amazing riding in Washington, Mt. Rainier, Mt. Baker, Olympic National Forest, Bellingham, to name a few, more pics to come on the blog.
Ciao!
-Alex
Anna,
Both You and Carolina opt for the beer float, do I see a river party in the future…
And there might be a chance one of your new kitties could fit in one of the little beer coozy holes.
That VW was pretty rad. Kind of like Night Rider meets Mr. Bean.
-Alex
dude, where is the whyte nynsha? that would be my pick, but instead I’ll hop on the glider at the top for the best ride of 2010.
Patrick