Years ago a friend of mine who has an equal love for beautiful children's books brought this book to me. Red Ranger Came Calling by Berkeley Breathed. Yes that Berkeley Breathed best known for Bloom County, from the Sunday Comics. Not only is the art stunning. The story is such a wonderful tale about a little boy that no longer believes in Santa, if he ever did. Until he calls on well, Santa. Set in the depression about a little boy on Vashon Island. You may recognize the author Berkeley Breathed from the funny papers. The book is hysterical and if the performance by Book-IT theater in Seattle even better! If this production is ever at a small theater near you - GO!
I simply love this story and am sort of giving away part of the ending...
When my father comes to town we love to go on little adventures. Usually in between sales calls or meetings. We often find a little antique store or some where interesting to explore. I love these visits with my father. He comes to town on business several times of year and a day or two riding along with him in the car talking and laughing keeps me going to rest of the year when I miss him so!
And in November 2011 we found it! We decided to take the $25 ferry ride to Vashon Island. We met Aunt Vi's at the Country Store and she even signed some books for us! Then we found it! The treed bicycle! Near 20312 Vashon Hwy. SW, Vashon Island, WA The bike tree is off of Vashon Highway (which runs between the Seattle and Tacoma ferry ports on either end of the island) on the northeast corner of the Vashon Highway and SW 204 St. intersection, about 50-60 ft (very rough guesstimate) into the woods on the north side of Sound Food Cafe.
There are so many stories about this hidden gem. Sometimes this picture is forwarded around with a story about a young man that went off to war and never returned. The bike is very small, for a small child and this is certainly not true. I found this tidbit online trying to find the true history of the treed bicycle. Above is a picture that is often passed around on the internet.
The tree is believed to
have belonged to Claire Hartvigsson (her married name, her husband also grew up
on Vashon) by her twin brother, Bud. He was a real prankster. These families
settled on Vashon in the early days of Washington and more than a few generations
of Norwegians were born and raised there. Bud never would admit he had done it,
but he chewed the end of his cigar and snickered when people tried to get him
to admit it. Both of them are long gone now, but I know Claire's daughter and
the family has always called it "Claire's bicycle."
Posted by Wendy Sutich
on Mon Dec 06, 2010 at 09:54 PM
Grandpa Awsumb and Awsumb
Current condition 11-30-11 missing handlebars
one of the pedals...
Point Robinson Lighthouse
The coolest beach ever with HUGE clam shells!
Mt Rainier as seen from Vashon Island
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