Don't call it a comeback

Life is a beautiful and our health is a gift. You have to roll with the punches and keep smiling. Take advantage of every day. My friend Eric has taught me these lessons and I was fortunate enough to accompany him on the most excellent Front Door Adventure over my Spring Break. Eric and I rode Seattle to Seattle in a four-day loop up Whidbey Island to Bellingham and back home via Snohomish, going disaster style and crashing with friends and family along the way.

This was Eric's first big bike trip since being diagnosed with a Left Ventricular Myotpathy and having an internal defibrillator placed in his chest three months ago. I don't know about you, but I feel inspired by Eric and lucky to count him as a friend. Knowing A guy like Eric makes it quite a bit harder for me to create excuses for not getting on my bike and riding to work on rainy Seattle days. For this, I am grateful.

Kla-Ha-Ya

Matt

Start this day like most of the others, at Brown's Coffee. The Lieutenant Brown's Dark Roast Rescue is the best dark roast in Seattle.

I found a nice diversion through the park on the way to Mukilteo Ferry Terminal using the Google Maps bicycle option.

It is fun to put your bike on a boat.

The accommodations at Dave and Diane's were much more than we expected. Thank you.

Eric and I stayed at Swede Hill Cellars on South Whidbey. My good friend Eric Murphy and his partners Dave Ott and Diane Coffman run the winery and are producing fantastic wines. Here Dave shares a glass of 06 Merlot with Eric and I.

Start the day like many others, with some fresh ground Lieutenant Brown's Dark Roast Rescue

Coupville Farmers Market.

Health Fuel.

Terrible Island scenery.

Don't trust this man.

Underside of Deception Pass Bridge.

The Edison, at Edison. I have been told that people have fun here.

You wouldn't get this shot from a car at 55 mph.

One of the two rules at the Magic Bus.

Andy Cat...fat and happy.

Eric and I took the Interurban Trail from Larrabee State Park into Bellingham. It is nice to ride a bike that can handle a little trail riding as well.

Not sure how we ended up here for half the day...

but like I said before, don't trust this guy.

This road goes from the Farm to the Market.

When given the choice, one should always take the Best Road....

......as it usually leads to something nice to look at.

I didn't put this sign here, I only photographed it and posted it in hopes that someone might explain exactly what is means.

Jerry will help you in any way he can. He specializes in lighters and porn.

Many good things can be found in the Man Cave in Silvana, WA.

One of the many highlights of the trip was seeing Sadie and my new niece Madeline Wren. She apparently doesn't feel the same about me.

Buffy, the only Buffalo in recorded history to bike from Seattle to Snohomish.

On the last night of the trip Eric and I stayed in the basement at Mom and Dad's in Snohomish. My mother is very fortunate to have married such a good looking man.

One last hydration stop at the Bothell Ale House, one of the coolest things going on in Bothell.

Ride at Woodland Park with the Erbeck Men

Erbeck Men: Luca, Aaron and True ready for action.

True, climbing machine.

True, working the downhill.

Pit stop.

Yes Luca, both your Dad and your Brother are completely crazy.

Urban obstacles.

True, showcasing the BMX skills.

Who needs brakes when you have feet.

True listening intently to Dad's instructions for the

last big downhill of the day.

No bike adventure is complete without proper re-hydration. Uber has a fine selection of craft ales and the charm that only Aurora Ave can offer.

Cedar, the friendly Rotweiler I met at the bar.

Don't anyone worry, True's got it!

Post crash interview.

I had the pleasure of joining my neighbor Aaron and his boys True and Luca at Woodland Park for a beautiful spring bike ride. True was absolutely unstoppable on his Specialized Hotwalk as he pushed, coasted, jumped, and crashed his bike all over Woodland Park and was ready for more when it was time to go home. I think the world of the Erbecks' parenting and was really impressed by with the way Aaron balanced teaching True skills and safety on the bike while leaving him enough space to be in charge of his own adventure and learn through the experience. I feel privileged for being included, and look forward to further adventures with the Erbeck men!

Kla-Ha-Ya

Matt

Buffy's Big Adventure

Buffy loading up for the big ride.

First stop is Neptune Coffee in Greenwood for the Quad Americano. Jet Fuel...except the part where I go fast. My favorite coffee shop in Greenwood.

Buffy had a deluxe ride in the Ortlieb Pannier. I mean if they can haul a Buffalo from Seattle to Snohomish, what can't they do?

Where the Hell is Cathcart WA? Buffy outside the now defunct Cathcart Store outside of Snohomish, WA. Cathcart is near where I went to Jr. High School. It turns out the Issac Cathcart was instrumental in the development of the town of Snohomish in the late 1800's. This little piece is from the Snohomish Visitor Information Center Website:

1869
Isaac Cathcart comes to Snohomish
Isaac Cathcart emigrated from Ireland to Michigan when he was quite young. He came to Snohomish in 1869 and worked as a chopper in a logging camp. By 1872 he had earned enough to erect the Snohomish Exchange Hotel, a large, two story building costing $6,300. He made it a first class hotel and ran it for sixteen years.

Buffy at a nice view point on Springhetti Road above the Snohomish Valley.

Coffee stop at Harvey's Airfield in Snohomish, WA.

The Snohomish Visitor Information Center on Historic 1st Street.

Buffy visiting the grave of Great Grandma and Grandapa Ruth & Carl (Great, Great Grandma & Grandpa to Sadie, Madeline, Carter, and Taylor). Ruth Alford (Manary) was born February 23, 1908 in Camas, WA, one of 11 children of Bertha and Robert Manary. Ruth married Carl Alford on June 28th, 1928.

Great Grandma died on March 12, 1994, when I was 16 years old. Buffy was a gift from Great Grandma when I was 4 or 5 years old.

Carter testing out Buffy's new tail at Mom and Dad's house.

Sadie and a very pregnant Kim with Buffy.

Buffy was my childhood buddy and many adventures has Buffy been on. Buffy no doubt has endured his fair share of abuse in the form dirt, slobber, and any other bodily fluid a 4-8 year old me could dish out. Many a 'basement clean-outs' has Buffy survived at Mom and Dad's house over the years, only recently to be discovered by my niece Sadie Rose. I received a very sincere phone call from Sadie asking if she could take Buffy to her house if she promised to take care of him. Uncle Matt gladly obliged. For Sadie's 4th Birthday Aunt Jenny sewed Buffy a new tail (lost somewhere along the way) and I delivered Buffy back on Easter Day. I do believe that this is first recorded bike transport of a Buffalo from Seattle to Snohomish in the history of man.

Buffy gained a little more magic today on an excellent Front Door Adventure!

Kla-Ha-Ya

Matt

Dance Show at the Erickson

Beer Bike. This late 70's Shwinn Continental spent many years under the deck of the Bruya's Derby House in Pullman. Jesse gifted it me and Aaron Erbeck helped me trick it out a bit. I spend a ton of time on the Beer Bike and it is my choice ride for local adventures.

Jen rollin' the University Bridge.

The hood on Capital Hill.

Volunteer Park on Capital Hill.

Dolphin in the park.

My favorite watering hole on Capital Hill, the Hopvine.

Jen, giving her best Donald Hurst nod of approval. Must be a decent beer.

Erickson Theater off Broadway

Jen is not very excited about the ride home in the rain.

Larry Bruya is a a friend of mine. If you know Larry, then you know what I mean. Larry was my major professor at WSU, and outside my parents likely the most influential mentor in my life. Larry and Lorna's daughter lives and works in Seattle and has been very involved in the dance community here for a number of years. Larry and Lorna called and said they were coming to town for a performance that Gabby had choreographed and invited Jen and I to come watch.

Jen and I made an afternoon of it and biked up to Capital Hill. I took pictures of my hot wife doing Yoga at Volunteer Park and then we were off to the Hopvine Pub for a beer or two. Jen and I toodled about Capital Hill for a bit and met the crew at the Erickson Theater off Broadway.

Jen and I were treated to a night of modern dance and the company of the entire Bruya clan. Great Front Door Adventure!

Kla-Ha-Ya

Matt