06.21.2023, day 1 - depending on how you count

i wasn't born for waiting.

the calm before the storm, ha.  somehow i got that backwards.  anxiety's child.  like sundance kid, i shoot better when i'm moving.

suzi and i departed early this morning.  big shout out to elijah andrews, who got up at 4 this morning to drive us to the airport.  

shipping the bike as baggage couldn't have been easier - and more economical.  boxed the bike, weighed in at 49.5 lbs, under the 50 lb limit, so it was treated as a standard baggage item, now only $30.  in seattle, i had to drag it through the baggage area, on to the shuttle bus to car rental and put it in the back of the nissan rogue we rented.  perfect.
we stopped in tacoma at the brewer's row for our first of many beers to come.  then on down to familiar ground in portland.  we had a wonderful visit with matt and diane.  matt continued to amaze us with his cooking skills and wine cellar.  diane does breakfast and is the baker and though there were no cherries or related pie unlike 10 years ago, much good food.  but most of all, the conversation and family love.
reassembly (screw on pedals, insert wheels and rotate handlebars) of old faithful went smoothly.

friday was a trip down the willamette valley to meet up with our old friend jozsef.  and three, yes 3, wine tastings.  great to see you joe, be good, you here?

on saturday, we met up for breakfast with ex-knoxvillian and good friend thia bankey before strolling to the traditional saturday morning farmer's market downtown.

and then we were on the road again after a sunday breakfast of blueberry pancakes.

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