Steepless in Seattle – Seattle, WA

The Fremont Market

No, not really, I guess. We weren’t steepless at all. More like steepfull. We pretty much served tea all weekend here. I contacted my friend Pepper Proud upon arrival and asked what was happening and where would there be people who might like tea. The first night, Friday, her and I went out to Ballard Ave. to just serve tea to strangers. It was hard as heck to find the right parking, but once we did it was great. A jazz festival was happening and people were drifting down the sidewalks. Pepper played her guitar in a doorway across the sidewalk and serenaded all who walked by.

Random Ballard Ave folks (with Pilgrim, Pepper, and Raquel)

Inside the bus our dear friend Pilgrim (remember him from Sh’Bang?) and his friend Raquel, as well as many other random folks, sipped tea. We shared stories about adventures and music and vehicle/boat conversions. It was amazing.

That night Pilgrim invited me to come park at the marina where he was living aboard a sailboat he is work-trading for. Its a great little project, and reminiscent of River’s boat (see Bellingham blog entry) both because it is a sailboat restoration project, but also because both of them want to create sailing vessels that bring music to people. And they both have dreads. Remind me to connect those two. Pilgrim gave me the combo to the bathrooms and showers, and no one hassled my when sleeping there. Good spot.

Usually when I cruise through Seattle I stop on Capitol Hill and serve tea to the crazy variety of people there. Someone in Bellingham suggested Fremont, and I basically spent most of my time in Ballard/Fremont area, which turned out to be so much fun.

Good folks at the Fremont Market.

Saturday night we headed over to OmCulture, a yoga studio that hosts a once a month dance called Dream Dance. It was a super fun place to meet and see people. There was already a tea zone upstairs, but we still got so many people coming in for tea.

Sunday morning came early and brought Edna and I to the Fremont Market. I’d heard good things about it, so I arrived early to try and snag a spot near the end on the street. There was a fellow working the back end of the market directing people and cars who looked intently as I pulled a U-turn. He signaled and I parked temporarily. Curious about the bus, I told him what it was all about. “Oh, we can just put you here in the market. It’s free? Oh, we’ll just consider you a non-profit and you don’t have to pay anything to be here. Oh, and you need to leave early to get to another event, we can work that out.” I really wish I remembered this guy’s name, because he was a saint.

It worked out really well to be there at the market. We got a spot right on the street where all the happenings are and many many people stopped by. I got to see my old from Colin from San Juan Island (my favorite economist), and got to hear about his new project Polis. I saw my dear friend Elena, who many of you have heard about something she said to me that tipped the scales and made me decide to make serving free tea my life’s mission. Many new faces appeared and we drank a ton of tea.

The Nectar Lounge for the Renunu Fashion Show

We left early to get to our reserved parking spot outside The Nectar Lounge for the Renunu Fashion Show, which highlighted clothing made from recycled/salvaged material. We had PRIME parking right where everyone walked in and out. Because the green room was packed with clothing and models, we provided an expanded green room with all kinds of food/snacks for some of the musicians and models, as well as any of the guests. It was a grand time with a fashion show, live music by Pepper Proud, The Mongrel Jews, and Nu Klezmer Army, as well as a burlesque show. Love these kinds of events!

Pickled Okra (Paisley and Todd) Raquel and another.

After serving tea for about 30 hours straight I decided to take it easy a bit. Pepper and her partner Charlie were kind enough to let me base myself there at their house in North Ballard for much of the time I was in Seattle. It was such a blessing. Sometimes it feels like I’m out at work, putting all my energy outwards, feeding people tea and love and energy. And then finding myself in a house that is a sanctuary of good people and good food and good energy, is the best thing I could ask for. I had to do some video editing work, so it was nice to sit on my butt for a couple days after all that tea serving.

I was eager to roll down the road, so I headed to Woodinville on Wednesday, where I had stashed Freddie (the horse trailer) the day I got the the Seattle area at my buddy Rowan’s place. It had been great to get to connect with his family. His kids LOVED the bus, as did his grandma, who was a peace activist for a long time. I had such a great time connecting with everyone in the family. I made up a hug batch of soup and canned it for the road.

The Shook Twins at Bear Creek.

That Wednesday night I headed over to Bear Creek Studio, where I had been in January working with Elephant Revival. This time, my friends The Shook Twins were recording their new album. After an evening of “becoming the teabag” (sitting in the hot tub), I spent the next day shooting some video for them. Love all the folks in this band!

It felt like I was leaving Seattle without doing many things I had hoped. There were places I wanted to serve tea, old friends I had wanted to connect with, and different areas I wanted to explore… But the allure of making it to Olympia for their Spring Art Walk and Procession of the Species Parade was too great. I hooked up that night and drove through the darkness to Olympia with Freddie in tow.

Kyle at Bear Creek – he’s got a sweet bus!

My buddy Nico, shredding it at Bear Creek.

Renunu Fashion Show

Pilgrim and someone’s kid at the Fremont Market.