Friday, June 01, 2007

Memorial Day

So our friends, the Mitchells, invited us to go on a "bike ride" in the San Juan islands. So here's how it goes down (and has been going down for 33 years, apparently): On the Saturday before Memorial Day you drive north of Seattle about an hour. You unload your gear (sleeping bags, clothes, soft drinks you cannot live without, etc.) into a moving truck at the ferry station. You then hop on your bike and get on the ferry (if there are no cars loaded yet, you actually get to ride your bike on to the ferry and scream with delight as you do it if you wish. Not that I did.) (I did.)

The ferry unloads you at Orcas Island and you bike about 14 miles to the camp you are staying at. You get there, your stuff is waiting for you, and you hang out and play at the private lake and little lake beach, go on hikes, enjoy the really good (all included) food they cook for you, chase incredibly tame deer, play some sports, or just sit back and enjoy a book. It's one of the most beautiful places I've seen in Washington no doubt. You bike out on Tuesday (avoid the crazy Memorial Day crowds) hop back on the ferry, and you're done.

Of course, for us, this meant Jenni hitched a ride in the Mitchell's minivan because the baby is 5 months old, and can't wear a helmet (kinda creepy if you think about a 5 month old wearing a helmet). And Ethan has to hitch a ride behind dad's bike in a trailer (or "bugger" as people were calling it). That makes the hills extra "burny."

So here's some photos from the excursion:

(missing photo: Mitchells and Rhodes late for the Ferry, both men grab a kid, set up the bikes and just make it on with everyone else while the ladies figure out how to get to the island later that day.)

(missing photo: Awesome scenery as we leave the Ferry and head out on to the road)

(missing photo: Ethan getting "bugger sick" and puking all over himself at mile 5)

(missing photo: Travis changing Ethan's vomit clothes on the side of the road telling him "there's only 2 more hours of this, don't worry.")

(missing photo: Ethan falling asleep and otherwise being just fine.)

(missing photo: Anything we did at the camp that Saturday after we all arrived.)

The next day, Dad and Ethan went canoeing (that would be just "boat" to Ethan, and he doesn't really want to get back on it again, thank you very much.)



Ethan did some standup for the campfire crowd...his material got a little blue and I told him that was a no-no and he sat down.


On Monday we spent the whole day down at the lake. Calvin decided to be the cutest baby that ever lived for a few shots, then slept for 3 hours on the beach. Best...baby...ever.


Jenni got in some much needed fishing...first time casting a poll I believe. A natural.



Men did too. (don't ask... nothin. All day.)



Ethan really liked picking the flowers.


On Tuesday, we headed out. Sesame Street Bike Helmet? Check.



As we get ready for our 2 hour ride out, the ladies prepare for the grueling 25 minute air-conditioned drive to the ferry.


Ethan enjoying a well-deserved cold beverage on the ferry ride home.



(missing photo: Loch Ness Monster appears and bites off a non-essential piece of the ferry)