Anacortes Oyster Run, 2004

The Band managed to get out about 8 songs before the police showed up at Shayne’s party Saturday night. I’m surprised they took so long. I had my money on 20 minutes, but we lasted about 45. Once the band got shut down, I packed my gear and Carole and I headed home. Too bad we had to leave just as things were rockin’, but 6 am comes way too early after a great party. I had been looking forward to the Oyster Run all year and I really wanted to get an early start and not be a total basket case the next day. We managed to crawl into bed at about 12:30 am. Even though we got to bed at a “reasonable” hour, sleep did not come easily.

The clock went off at 6, right on schedule. Like a kid at Christmas, I hopped out of bed, dragging Carole with me. I put on the coffee as Carole groggily staggered into the shower. Even though we didn’t have much to do, just get ready and go and download the existing pictures off the camera, we still didn’t get going until about 7:30. Most of the time spent was getting our gear on and trying to get Carole’s jacket zipped. I fired up the bike and we headed into the cold, dense fog.

We hit the 401 a few minutes later and immediately hooked up with another bike. Then another. The three of us followed each other all the way to Abbotsford, each of us knowing we were all heading to the same place. The Oyster Run.

We hooked up with Jan and Chris at the Chevron on Sumas and carried on from there. The Sumas border crossing was incredibly light. Jan didn’t even have to jump the line. The ride to Bob’s Brew & Breakfast (gotta love them ‘merican’s) was pleasant enough, even though it was a tad chilly and the thick fog was a little unnerving. We had just ordered our food when Ed (with a “C”), the pilgrim showed up on his LC. After breakfast, the parking lot that had been pretty much empty, was now teeming with bikes. Another group of about thirty rode past as we were donning our gear. The four of us carried on.

Chukanut Drive is a beautiful ride. It's a really pretty road with trees and the mountain on one side and the ocean on the other. A great ride with lots of twisties made even more fun by the more and more bikers that were joining us. Christine, being the cautious rider that she is, pulled over to the side to let a group of faster bikes and a fat guy on a trike ride by.

Happily, we cruised along. Jan was out front, then Ed (with a "C") myself and Chris in the rear. When we got to the end of the road, we ran into a construction detour and had to make a turn. Jan, our fearless leader, was now unsure of how to get there.  When we came upon a road that went to the left, Ed stopped. I passed him to catch up with Jan, who suddenly realized something was amiss. Some guy on a Harley pulls up beside the two of us and says "Wasn't that the turn off?" We all looked at each other, question marks almost visible over our heads.

I looked back and there were bikes as far as I could see. There must have been 60 bikes that all followed us up the wrong road. I didn't even know they were there. They decided to keep going and take their chances, but we knew it was a dead end. It must have been something to try and get all those bikes turned around at the end of that road.

We finally arrived in Anacortes about 9 am or so. The fog was still there, but had lightened up considerably. Last year there was an estimated 13,000 bikes. It was too much of a zoo, so I guess a lot of people were put off. That, combined with the fog and indecisive weather reports must have kept a lot of people away. This time, although parking was still at a premium, there was no line up to get into town. There were more people than in 2002 (when it rained), but definitely less than last year. This year we got to cruise the strip and found some pre-mo parking at the far side of town. I figure if there were 5,000 in 2002, 13,000 last year, this year must have been around 10,000.

I was a little disappointed to look down at what was once my shiny, freshly waxed bike. I had spent most of the day before getting my baby ready, only to see it was now covered in dirty water spots from the condensation of the fog. I got over it pretty quick when I started to feel the buzz of the event that was now finally upon us. We shed our gear and headed to the Elks for the best oysters in town. Maybe even the world.

We walked around, enjoying all the sights and the two or so miles of motorcycles. Two rows down the centre, a row down each side. We saw lots of really cool bikes, interesting freaks and weirdoes, live entertainment, custom OCC/West Coast type choppers, beer and loose women. People were selling everything from bikes to apparel, leathers, to little mini choppers. We pigged out on oysters and I bought a vest. My uniform is now complete.

We wanted to get out of there early, like around 2:30. I wanted to see the Cossacks M/C Drill team at 2, so we figured we'd check that out, then go. Then Jan found some porta-pottis without a 1/2 hour line up. There happened to be a bar patio right beside them, so we stopped in for a beer. The next thing I knew some 43 year old woman is showing me her boob job. Nice, too! Then Christine goes "how about these!" and flashes from the other side. I must have looked like Marty Feldman trying to see both pairs at once. Then we noticed the whole place go silent. I've never had that happen to me before. We never did see the Cossacks.

At about 6:30, we figured it was time to go. We left the bar, went out into the main drag and were shocked to discover the place that was overflowing before was now virtually empty. Only a few bikes were left scattered, parked all alone in the middle of the road. The cops were at each end, ticketing all the drunks. We walked around for about 45 minutes to sober up (we weren't bad - just a couple of beers - mostly adrenaline from the great time) then headed to Edison for a burger.

It was dark when we headed home down I-5. Carole was falling asleep on the back of the bike. I had to stop and wake her up as she was steering the bike when she drooped over. We got home about 9:30. We were bushed, but had had the time of our lives. It was an absolute blast. It took me two days to recover. I can hardly wait for next year!