Victoria to Portland – Living in Lucy
The Astoria–Megler Bridge is a steel cantilever through truss bridge that spans the Columbia River between Astoria, Oregon and Point Ellice near Megler, Washington, in the United States – Wikipedia (random person)
June 4, 2012
Saud and I have now posted up again for the night. Lucy is parked at the top of the hill overlooking Astoria, a port city famous for its humbling bridge. We decided to name the van Lucid Lucy (Lucy for short), inspired by the famous Beatles song “Lucy in the sky with diamonds” because living in this mobile abode often feels like a dream!
There are some key events that took place over the past few days that I definitely want to remember. After our time in Victoria, we cruised down to Seattle. The Coho Ferry (part of the Black Ball line) offered the most relaxed US border security that I had ever experienced. Not to profile ourselves, but a 24 and 25-year-old driving a converted dodge van across the border should set off some spidey senses. The only thing the border official asked us was: “Is this trip business or pleasure?”. He followed this question up with laughter, and without another word we were on the boat transporting us across an invisible boundary that separates us from our short-tempered southern cousin.
The guards in Victoria where we were processed by customs
Victoria Harbour
This was the most elaborate motor cycle side car I have ever seen!
The ship docked in Port Angeles, and I was met with a distinct small town American vibe. The famous 101 guided us on a path cut through the forest, with a dense fog lying over top like a blanket. Our home’s name, Lucy, was staying true to character, as a dreamlike scene was viewed through her windows until the highway merged onto the raging Interstate 5. The flow of the I-5 went right into downtown Seattle. I had no idea that this famous city was set on top of steep hills leading down directly to the ocean. We parked Lucy near Pike Place, where Saud and I delighted in local cuisine at the restaurant Taste. Our dinner conversation took a philosophical turn as Matt, the solo diner seated beside us, expressed a very pragmatic view of existentialism. His perception of the world challenged by current conscious observation of the universe!
Breakfast view at Green Lake
The rest of our day in Seattle was full of tourist stops. Parking downtown seemed to cost more than most people make in a day, so we left Lucy on the edge of the skyscrapers and made use of our longboards to cruise to Pike Place Public Market. Being tourists, it seemed appropriate to check out the world’s first Starbucks location. Talk about the biggest letdown: a lineup way out the door for the same drink we could get around the corner! How often does it seem we are sucked into doing something not because it is enjoyable, but just so that we can say we did it, as if it makes up for the unpleasant experience to gain the story? Unfortunately it seems like common sense is the least common of all the senses.
This band made sure to take advantage of the tourists lining up into the first ever Starbucks location
Our day in Seattle ended with hanging out in Volunteer Park, one of the many green spaces breaking up the concrete jungle. From there, we had a perfect view of the Space Needle and unlimited paths to cruise around with our boards.
We got back on the I-5 moving southbound to Portland. I have never seen more advertising for fast food on any road before. The power of market is so strong that there is no need to stay within the normal supply and demand ratio when people can be lured into eating, not to satisfy the energy demands of life, but just to eat.
Downtown Portland was buzzing like an angry wasps nest as we rolled off the Interstate. It was Saturday night afterall, but this was ridiculous! After finding a parking spot, we were informed that it was the Rose Festival (Portland is know as the City of Roses), as a parade rolled down the street full of an eclectic chain of floats. Random, but a wonderful way to be welcomed into Portland.
One of many floats
We found our home in the hills of West Portland, based on our impression of safety of the neighbourhood. Sunday brunch, one of my favorite meals since childhood, was enjoyed at Besaws, a great spot on the outskirts of downtown. I was stoked to see that they had gluten-free pancakes on the menu! It seems like the intolerance to the gliadin protein is becoming commonly recognized throughout the world. After brunch we had chai tea at Tea Chai Te, and then headed off to Powell’s bookstore that was recommended to us by Matt in Seattle.
Powell's Bookstore
This famous store took up a whole city block, was 3 stories high, and had any book that your mind could imagine. After getting lost in the maze of stacks for hours, we got back on our boards and cruised along the Columbian riverbank that flowed with a seemingly infinite force back to the collector of all streams.
After heading back downtown, a random dude approached us on his BMX asking “Hey guys, do you like to bomb hills?” My hesitant reply: “Ummm yah?” “Well then you have to meet at 10pm, Burnside and 13th Avenue, there are a bunch of mini bikes there for the weekly meeting of Zoo Bomb!” He then continued on the conversation by trying to sell us a BMX that was not actually his, but the person’s who owed him money, and he would take almost any decent offer for it.
This monument is the meeting place for Zoo Bomb every Sunday night at 9!
So, after confirming with a few other locals that this was not a trap, we set off to partake in the 12-year tradition that attracts all kinds (a lot of very authentic souls) to bomb down the many routes starting at the top of Washington Park passing by the Zoo (ie ZooBomb). After meeting a bro at the spot, Saud and I followed him and climbed into the Max Light Rail, then were joined by several other Zoo bombers in the elevator and ascended up to the congregation, whose purpose is to have fun while promoting environmentally sound ways to travel.
The elevator ride to the top of the hill was more than long enough for the anxiety to build up
I have bombed a few hills in the past, but this was like landing on a new planet! The start was fairly mellow, but after getting separated from the group and letting gravity pull us down, it soon heated up and we were bending around corners, pushing our feet into the board to gain enough friction to make it down without crashing and sliding on our flesh to a painful finish. The point of no return was reached, and total faith and commitment was required while flying through stop signs on the way to the bottom. We got lost temporarily, but thankfully we found a Zoo Bomb bro who guided us down the highway back to the Kart pickup. Cruising down Burnside Avenue with red lights ahead, I couldn’t believe that I was actually in that moment. What a reality to witness; totally present on the board and focused survival instincts motivating each decision. Thank you to our guardian angels and God for allowing us safe passage.
The Max stop was right at the bottom of the run and we made our way back up to the top for another one. I don’t think that I have ever met a friendlier group of people than the group who was there, with the common interest of creating a sense of community on Sunday nights. Portland is definitely the most friendly and cultured city that I have ever visited in the USA. The last run of Zoo bomb took us back to Lucy around 2am, to enter the other dream world.
Monday morning came early and the route back to the 101 was the 26 West that ran through farm country. The first stop after getting back to the 101 was Canon Beach. Immediately we were in Ecola Park and moving through a cliffside trail to Indian beach. Even though the concrete jungle of Portland was one of the best experiences, it could never compare to untouched nature, the sound of the ocean crashing into the beach, birds communicating on a wavelength that evades our understanding, and trees that seem to extend to the heavens. We sensed that the hike was a harbinger to Oregon Coast’s natural beauty.