sunshine, friends, and bikes

If you ever join a gang, I suggest one of the bike sort. Oh I mean bicycle.

The baddest bike gang in all the land

This weekend, for the first time in a long time, my naturally gangster look felt in place. I was a part of the coveted bike gang. And I’m not sure I have ever seen any cooler group of people in my life. How did I get to this point? How did I reach this sought-after, elite position? Well, let me tell you, it was an arduous journey. Let me start at the beginning.

It was Friday morning. I woke up at 7 to make sure that I would have plenty of time to reach my destination: Jen’s thesis defense in Bellingham. I had already packed my car for a month’s trek around the western United States, so if I got up at 7 I was sure to leave by 8. By 730 we had started our goodbyes…. Being apart for a month means that the goodbye is a long, sad one. Probably so many “I love you…”s and “I’ll miss you!”s that it would make anyone but us a little sick to their stomachs. But eventually we got to parting our ways. I get in my car and head out. By the time I’m approaching Hwy 2, I realize I have forgotten my helmet! Oh no! Do I turn around now, when I’m still close, or do I just say it’s a lost cause? Of course I turned around and got it (you are stupid if you ride around town without a helmet on)… sheepishly walking back into our room, afraid I am going to destroy that half hour of goodbyes. But it was much better than I feared, and was fairly in-and-out, with the exception of another big hug and some more I love you’s. I was on my way! 

The fields are green this time of year. And the sky blue. And very few cars hike across the state on a Friday morning. It was an ideal drive, with a stop off at Zekes to pick up a blackberry milkshake and the radio playing the entire time. 

I had to stop in Lynnwood to get my emissions tested again. I thought I knew where the station was, but figured I should look it up just to be sure. So at each light I would get one step farther: get to the search bar, enter “lynn”, enter “wood emissions”, search, open map. And by the time that I finally got to the map, I realized it was only 2 or 3 blocks from where I was, and in the opposite direction of what I was expecting. Lucky timing! The emissions test was quick and easy, and much to my delight I passed this time (and don’t have to get more work done on my car!). As soon as I passed, I jumped back on the freeway. Bellingham-Ho! 

I made it to Bellingham and to the Roost just in time. I walked in on a house of unexpecting people. They took a second to process, and then I was swarmed with hugs. Can I mention that I LOVE entering the Roost… or really just the people that live in it. They were all going to bike to school since that is the easiest way, so I pulled out my bike and joined. For having not really ridden, it was a breeze. I think all of that stationary bike has paid off. 

Jen’s defense was great. Thorough, entertaining, engaging. Pretty much what I would expect from her. And afterward we all rode to pizza, beer, and good times. Then to the Shoe for more beer and good times. I’m going to skip ahead a little since its getting long. 

In abbreviated form:

Sleep at Jens

Padden with Amy and Lindsay, met up with Rachel, Tessa, Nolan, Dog

Shopping with Jen

And then… we all gathered at Kelley’s, who had a ladder full of all of their interesting 80s clothes out. We donned the clothes in which ever random combination we wanted and hit the town. Unlike Spokane where I feel like (yes some people would get a kick out of it, but) a number of people would just be annoyed and probably think that we were a bunch of queers (*shudder*), we were cheered and honked at. There are so many people on bicycles in Bellingham… it makes my little heart pitter patter. But I digress. We rode down to Boulevard where we donned facial paints. I was a weird combination of soccer-esq bottoms, a dress, and mutton chops.

 M for Master Wright!

 Don't be jealous.  Really.  There's no need.  I look silly.

Then, in abbreviated form:

Beer at the Green Frog

BBQ at friends’s

Sleeping at Amy’s

Wandering town with Jen, Rachel, Megan

Hang out with Amy

Sleep

Get Lady Gaga mix from Jen

Drive- stop at Alps candy shop in Tumwater and buy too much candy- Stop to ride along Moses Coulee Rd- Home.

 It was windy as all heck, but the warm wind didn't detract from how beautiful it was.

Obviously, my plans changed from last Friday. I am no longer doing down to Davis before I head to Boise, which is so ok with me. Amy and I will go to visit my brother later in the summer, when things are less cramped. I now don’t have to lie about doing my service learning project- I can actually do it! (plus, I get to see D more before I go……)

It was a great weekend though. I really couldntve asked for more fun packed into just a few days. Thanks for all the fun, and for the couches =)