La De Da Parade

 I have a backlog of  posting to do, but here goes.  

On July 4th, SWIFTY (swallows in flight to Yachats) had an entry in the annual Yachats La De Da Parade.  We drafted Lorie and Brian to join us on vintage bikes, and Jim enlisted several kids and adults to wave pole kites of swallows.  A friend of Jim's sewed up some feathered cloaks for a few people, too.

Here I am giving my bike a test ride sans costume.  I had Bluetooth speakers inside the box and a playlist of 4 bird themed songs.  Unfortunately, at the parade site, Bluetooth wouldn't work.  It worked perfectly when I got back home.  The rig was pretty shaky and hard to balance at parade speed.  The bike was bought new in 1953 by Aunt Freda and she rode it well into her 70's.  It is a Raleigh.

Jim carried the sign and did a great job of running from side to side and explaining to folks what SWIFTY was about.  Gail and Lorie are on bikes entering the parade route on the right.

Since Wally is such a big part of the Trails Committee, he couldn't be with SWIFTY.  That's Wally on the left.

Gail in all her glory!  She made the smaller signs, the swallows in the bike spokes, and polished up four of our vintage bikes while I was in Colorado.

That's me and the swallow box mobile.  Lorie is in blue wig.

Our swallow kites circling the sky.  At about this point I noticed a whale spouting close to shore.  I heard that there were several gray whales and orcas putting on a show.  It was a perfect day.

Three of our parade bikes which Gail decorated and polished up.  The yellow bike is one of a matched pair that my parents bought in 1974 (Schwinn Collegiates).

Selfie time!  Someone yelled "Rod Stewart" as I passed by.

Later in the day, we went to Brian's retirement party barbecue.  They recently left on a two month road trip around the country in their newly acquired RV.

Well, look for more posts soon, as I'm determined to catch up now that the yard is coming under control.