taking a break and coming out from under a rock

I have lived in Kitsap County since 1985, and within the Hawaiian community have known people by face or by kids but not even by full first and last names! Have I been living under a rock, or what!! We took a ride to a biker rally at Ocean Shores. I told Wes to get me up a half hour before we had to leave, thinking that would be enough time! By the time I got all the stuff on, Harley Boots (bought at a close out of a work gear store) I've had since 2002, my ballistic outfit that is almost too tight to get into, and my layers to keep warm because it didn't look like the sun was coming out yesterday-it was a tad past the time to leave!

We met the Lafontaine's at the Rotary sponsored annual pancake breakfast (I've been to it only one time before) and I was served by a lady who used to be my boss in real estate. When we sat down we were joined by a lady I worked for just this past school year. Her sister and sister's friend are nurses at Harrison. Wow! we had great conversation especially when those nurses thought Wes looked familiar. The talk was about emergency services and bad hospitals.

At 7:30 we were pulling into the parking lot at Legends (the new name for the Harley dealership). Heather and Charlie and their 26 year old son, Aaron (on his own rice burner bike) are the Tabangay family. They came here in 1982. These guys have a new Harley and have been riding since April. I know them because they helped Auntie with music at performances. The Lopez' are Rod and Susan she is about the size that I was at age 10 -under 100 pounds! He was a biker in Hawai'i, years and years ago. I paddled canoe with their daughter, and they also played music for Auntie. As the day went on I found out that Heather is a CHING and her sister is another '68 graduate of Kamehameha--small world!

Heather and Charlie ride because their son loves it and they don't like him going off on his own all the time. Anyhow, we all laughed at WHO KNEW? Who knew we would all be riding together after all these years of mere acquaintance type relationship. The Lopez and Tabangay's were dressed "to the nines" in CHOKE Harley stuff from chaps, vests, jackets, and boots to do-rags and warm layers under the leather. The gals are still tiny and so cute!! Rod's leather beanie had an orange propeller on it! By the time the day was over, Loriann had outfitted herself in a new vest and chaps, becoming what her kids call, "the biker bitch".

As to the event, it must have been a success. I've never seen so many bikes in one place! As we came into Ocean Shores, the medials were used for parking bikes (and cars) and people lined the street--we thought they were waiting for a parade, and found that we WERE the parade. They just stand and watch as all the bikes come into town.

We had lunch at the Shiloh Inn. A gal kept looking at me and I mouthed, "are you Hawaiian?" and we flashed the shaka sign. Too funny. As we had a long wait for our food, Loriann went over and I followed. Her name is Eu and she is from Nanakuli! She said she can't find any Hawaiians in Tacoma??! Her boyfriend is Pat and he works in Tacoma, putting woodwork into yachts!! After breakfast we went "shopping" and I got a massage for my back, shoulders and neck! The tattoo stands were amazing! I like to watch the artwork. I noticed a lot of people with bandages over their new tattoos! We ran into Eu again. I had to laugh. Not many Hawaiians around, but we seem to run into each other. Patrick was amazed too! We also saw a Hawaiian couple in the conference room. Can't miss the beer belly, rubbah slippahs and aloha shirt (amidst all the leather and t-shirts?), her wide okole--she was gorgeous in that beautiful lauhala hat--her hat band had a miniature ipu heke on it!

On the way home we stopped at a small casino--the all-you-can-eat seafood buffet even had frog legs! The food was good (clams and crab, of course)! While waiting in line they came buy with huge trays of coconut shrimp and you could order your drink and sip on it until they seated you! Amazing service!

We came home along the water as the sun was setting behind the mountains (I should have taken more pictures) and it was an appropriate close to a nice day!