Renegade Times

We finally let the San Juan Islands release their hold on us as we made our way back to the mainland. I must say that we are in love with the Washington State Ferry system. We were able to hop from island to island using this incredibly efficient transportation, plus it was fun to ride bikes across the car loading deck. Back in Port Townsend on the Olympic Peninsula we did some grocery shopping again in their beautiful co-op. While we were packing up our treasures, Christian recognized a kid we met on the Pacific Crest Trail last summer. Chase is currently living in Port Townsend. While we were chatting with him about camping options he suggested we come back with him. He is living on 13 acres owned by a friend and they wouldn't mind if we camped there. Oh, and they were having a "Renegade Indian Dinner" for $6 donation that they do every Tuesday.... lucky us, being Tuesday and all. I was imagining a family style dinner somewhere in the 20 people range. We got to the property and the amazement began. We smelled the curry enticing us into the property as we passed and exuberant garden running amuck as if someone tends it only every once in a while. Further down the path we came to a big field with a bamboo pole and canvas structure. Tables and straw bale benches, rugs and tapestries furnish the inside. There were more tables around the field and a stage set against the evergreens. We followed our noses to a gigantic outdoor kitchen. Except for the open wooden structure that housed it, the kitchen looked professional in every way including the yummy production going on inside. Chase and his brothers were warming up on a stage as they were the musical entertainment for the evening. We chatted with Ray who recognized Christian from Ray's days of busking at the Tucson co-op. Our job was to take a huge basket of flowers, herbs, grasses and weed and put together vases for the tables. I got the sense that the clippings were more of a way to keep things at bay rather than their importance as table decorations but they were lovely. Those vases were a fun way to be amazed at the bounty of a lush environment. Dinner was unbelievable. Eight different Indian specialties with a Pacific Northwest seasonal twist. Think Strawberry, rasberry and apricot chutney and rutabaga kofta. It was delicious and I lost count at around 100 people. There were kids, dogs, belly dancers and drum circles. A zip line and rope swing kept the little ones entertained for hours. We set up our tent long before the zip line was retired. And to think we almost camped at the state park with our macaroni and cheese dinner!

We will now head West along the peninsula to the coast and down through Olympic National Park. Our southbound trip will finally include some southward travel! Here is to more renegade opportunities!