Virgins on Orcas 

We’ll get to the meaning of the title in a minute…..in the meantime, Walt, his friend Karen, Ric, LeeRoy, Brenda and Mark, Lane and Shelley spent an outstanding day on Sunday, June 3rd touring Orcas Island. For Lane and Shelley, it was our first time on Orcas (Virgin sighting #1).  It was also Karen’s first “real” motorcycle ride (Virgin sighting #2) and after her white knuckles turned pink again (it wasn’t Walt’s driving – she just doesn’t like the freeway), she was able to sit back and enjoy riding with the Chapter C contingent as we cruised the peaceful roads of Orcas. We meandered about with Walt in the lead, inhaling the sweet scent of ocean and trees, cruising in and out of roads just to see where they went. It seemed like every time we made a turn a deer or two greeted us – in the middle of the road, in driveways, in the woods, in gentle green meadows. The road hugged the edge of the Puget Sound, playing peek-a-boo with a phenomenal ocean view as it swerved inland every once in awhile. The temperature turned blissfully warm, and we were soon riding in our summer gear. Lane decided to try out his new highway pegs, thinking we were in for a long stretch of straight road riding when Walt did a spiffy little turn that had us waving at the group as we continued to go straight. Long legs and highway pegs – we’re still working out THAT little detail. Executing our own spiffy Chapter C U-Turn, we joined the group in search of picnic fixings for our ride up to Mount Constitution. We found an organic grocery store, where we wandered amongst hemp hot chocolate mixes and wheat grass in search of acceptable grub. After the MEN in the group VERY LOUDLY stated that grazing on holistic groceries just wasn’t going to happen, we exited from this funky little piece of Holistic Heaven to chants of “Death to Tofu.” Our carnivorous snouts sniffed out an acceptable store that sold MEATY sandwiches, chemically enhanced diet sodas, and salty potato chips. This monument to meat-eaters also had chilled Nanaimo bars, a first for Shelley and Lane (Virgin sighting #3). Um….YUM???!!! Stocked with provisions, we headed for Mount Constitution, navigating a tight and twisty road that poked in and out of the sunshine, showcasing jaw-dropping views of the San Juan Islands nestled in sparkling waters. There was a super tight turn close to the top of the mountain where bikes going up and cars going down met in the apex. This is where Shelley learned that yes, lean with the bike, but pull your head off to the side a bit to avoid a major headache. At least that’s what she’ll do NEXT time! After parking the Wings in a tight little row (impressive!) we had a lovely picnic at the top, chatting and noshing, enjoying the scenery. Someone said “Gift Shop” and Brenda popped up like a Meercat, performing that cute little warrior dance over the rough walkway to the store in search of trinkets. (Tune into “Meercat Manor” on Animal Planet for a demo of said dance.) Unfortunately, we had a ferry to catch, so it was time to go. But, on the way out, Walt executed another spiffy little right-hand turn up a gravel path where we discovered a field of huge metal movement sculptures waving and swaying with the merest of breezes or slightest of touches. Wow. We regretfully left the meadow of metal and scooted back to the Ferry just in time for a gelato (another first for Shelley – Virgin sighting #4). We met a sport bike rider in the ferry line who was like a crow spying something shiny – our Wings. He went nuts, lying on his back in the middle of the road taking picture after picture of the bikes, then giving Shelley grief for wearing a BMW shirt and hat while sitting on a GoldWing. To quote pop culture - “Two Nanaimo bars = $2.22; 1 Ferry Fee = $30.00; A day in the sunshine on Orcas Island = PRICELESS!” Thanks, Walt, for organizing this memorable Chapter ride. (To those who have thoughtfully inquired, my “chap bonding” is progressing. The half a cow on the left leg gently cooperates while the other half moos in protest as I try to work that darn zipper! I’ve gotten used to the rush of blood to my brain from standing upside-down holding up my chaps while trying to get everything in and fastened. At least I’m warm on chilly mornings, so I guess the head rush is worth it.)

Shelley Roehl