Last Saturday, fourteen Westenders (Rusty included) met at Cafe Racer for a ride up to Snohomish for Kla-Ha-Ya Days and an exclusive tour of a private museum owned by ex-Black Cat Antiques proprietor Mike Milsom. We were surprised by a rousing sendoff from the Seafair Pirates passing by in their "pirate LCT." Their siren, and the answering shrill scooter horns, woke up the neighborhood for miles around.
The route went north on Lake City through Bothell and Woodinville, then east to Duvall, and north on 203 for six miles before we cut back to the High Bridge road running along the West side of the Snohomish river. We had originally planned to ride the entire length of the High Bridge Road (also known as West Snoqualmie Valley Rd) but the week before the ride we found that there was to be a detour due to the installation of a deep culvert about a mile north of the junction with the Woodinville-Duvall road. The only downside of the detour was a getting passed by a nut-job with a truck and trailer against obvious oncoming traffic. The front of the peloton had to pull onto the sandy shoulder going 50 mph to avoid a head on collision. Some people... Sheesh!
Despite the Detour and the crazy cager, we enjoyed miles of beautiful, windy farm roads running north along the river and then into Snohomish. Highlights were ideal weather, beautiful rural scenery including Washington's famous barns, and minimal traffic. 
Folks were turned loose in downtown Snohomish to take in a variety of local entertainment and foods that were available as part of the local celebration. I hadn't had any fry bread since leaving New Mexico so that was a treat for me. We took in a performance by a 12 year old boy that as Nicky says, sang just like Tammy Wynette. Keep your pics of that young man. He is going to go places someday. Additional highlights included a frog jumping contest (EZ paid for a frog to compete with, but only so he could have a frog hat), a baby race, an amazing juggler and a firehose tether ball game.
We met back at the scooters at 1:00, got Nicky's keys out of her locked top-case (thanks EZ), and headed out to Mike's place. Mike met us with cold drinks, and tons of fascinating information. He had just received a container full of European cars, motorcycles and scoots. One of the scoots was an East German IWL ('62). These were really good scoots and were styled after their West German counterparts, Zundapp Bellas (the later years). Mike had several Italian motorcycles, a Czech canvas covered car, Citroens, prewar Jags, postwar Jags, an Italian model T knockoff, a Mini, a Swiss Ambulance, a Peugot van, a never-used Chris Craft Outboard motor from the 1950's with original box, an MG in GREAT shape that was for sale (Dodits??). If it was odd and European, Mike either had it previously, now, or had one in his sights. Not to mention all the antique signage and other advertising, posters, toys, and gas pumps. This was one COOL garage. Did I mention that Mike is British and was a Mod on a Lambretta back in the day? 36 mirrors? And that he played in bands that opened for The Who? This was FUN. Talking to Mike was as much fun as checking out his stuff.......
After everyone had absorbed Mike's tales and toys, we rounded up the crew and headed home. EZ was having mechanical difficulties and didn't want to stop his scoot at the fill up so he took off with 4th gear only. We planned to overtake him, but after about 5 miles, I doubled back to see if I could find him along the most likely alternate route. Nicky, led the group on the return trip while I worked my way back through the subdivision jungle North of Bothell. Never ran into EZ, but I met back up with the group in downtown Bothell and we motored on home. EZ made it back to Cafe Racer in one piece.
All in all it was a fantastic ride on a lovely day! Many thanks, and a Westenders 'well done' to Nicky & Brad for organizing and leading this excellent ride!
(Text and photos: Brad & Nicky)
