Skaters are family
Grand Rapids, Michigan is my favorite place to longboard. West Michigan supports diverse lifestyles offering four distinct seasons and activities for each. Lakes provide refreshing relaxation during the summer, the slopes boats smooth runs in the winter and the between seasons are a great time for wind powered sports. I enjoy all four corners of Grand Rapids because every path leads to something exciting. Cruise down any street and you’ll see, hear and smell a beautiful city.
The residents of Grand Rapids, Michigan are relaxed and happy.I returned to Michigan for Labor Day weekend, and spent my weekend out on the lake. Labor day Weekend during my return home to Michigan some good friends and I decided to spend an evening at a local chill spot in Grand Rapids, the Meanwhile Bar. Uncomfortably in a friend’s car and holding board in hand I was eager to skate the Michigan streets. We got to the bar, the bouncer asked for ID. Instantly I remembered what I wanted to do and I turned, dropped my board and pushed away.
Bypassing initial plans to enjoy PBR with friends, I allowed my wheels to decide my evening journey. Suddenly a girl on a longboard passed and I instinctively followed. Quickly approaching the earthy rider she turned, somewhat surprised that she was being followed. Avoiding a creepy situation, I offered a Bustin Boards, Co flyer and a smile. We locked in to some good carves as the Brick pavement vibrated our urethane wheels. Confirming my new longboard friend, I extended my fist and we exchanged taps, acknowledging our alliance. A sharp carve to the right and I swiftly changed direction and skated away, as my fellow longboarder continued on the path unknown….
Back at the bar and oblivious to my important encounter, our crew ordered routine pitchers and found seats on the back patio where local hipsters sipped strong local beers and passed the time. Noticing a few longboards against the beer garden wall, I reached into my back pocket for some Bustin flyers and approached the table. Two girls on longboards…nice! With a smile I introduced myself and gave the girls some skate information. Not ten minutes had passed and I had encountered three riders! I was ready for a good night.
We rapidly finished the Pabst Beer and ordered another $2.50 round of pitchers. Waiting on the cocktail waitress and two pitchers deep, we signaled the girls to join us. Without hesitation, the boarders and I decided to ride. Leaving the bar, I was invited to one of their apartments. Inside I found a collection of longboards, some of which I recognized. Also sitting comfortably inside was the roommate of the nice girl whom invited me in, who turned out to be the girl I chased down earlier. Crazy! The three of us laughed and enjoyed a bottle of wine from the bottle as we planned a session.
Setting forth, we skated into the night. First skating toward the local cemetery, my riding partner and I chatted about the road conditions in Grand Rapids and shared wild stories from our many sessions around the city. Along the route, we passed many bikers. Lots of whom I had shared skate sessions with in the past. Grand Rapids is a melting pot of sub-cultural hip enthusiasts, and green transportation is the leading discipline. I am impressed with the progress of the city since I left 3 years ago.
From Wealthy we skated to the Fountain Cemetary. Wanting my music player, I encouraged Morgan to skate with me to Wallingwood and Fulton, many miles out of the way, where my car s parked. Retrieving the goods, we broke into my friend Burn’s house and snagged water and a beer. Finishing the drinks we headed down the fresh paved Fountain to Lafayette and took a right on Fulton. Down the main hill to Ottawa and we dashed to Pearl. Dropping down Pearl, and turning onto Monroe we passed the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel and decided to stop. In the main doors we stepped and directly to the Tower elevators we walked. The quiet hallways increased our eagerness as we attemted to reach the Pinnacle Room at the apex of the tower. Up 24 floors we went and exited the main elevators to the pantry where we hitched a ride on the service elevators to the 27th floor. Inside the pantry on the 27th I opened the Hobbit sized food service elevator, which is the only other way to the top besides the locked stairwell. Nervously I shut the gate and I asked my skater friend to press the 29 button. Up the small elevator shaft I went and stopped at 29 where I exited to a vacant meeting room, atop the hotel. Morgan was too scared to take the elevator so I propped the doors on 29 and Morgan walked the stairs.
Leaving the tower, we put headphones in and took the elevator maze to the lower lobby where we dodged security cameras and exited the building. Across the Grand River we approached the river run path and thrashed it. Leaving the West side of Grand Rapids we hopped on the Michigan Street Bridge and turned on Ottawa. To Calder Plaza we skated and jumped up on the enormous tire swing, clanking the chains on the iron structure as we violently swung side to side until I was sea-sick.
Lots of laughs and a subluxed shoulder later, we jumped off the swing and skated toward the skater house. Navigating from downtown Grand Rapids to Eastown our tired legs used the all remaining energy and I was offered a place to crash. Perfect, since I had nowhere else. Waking on a comfortable couch with a good night skate and a sufficient sleep, I collected my belongings and sat with the skater girls for a ceremonial goodbye. I have new friends in the name of longboarding and I am happy about that.
April 9th, 2009 at 10:50 am
Oh what a spontaneous, fun night! Come back soon and we will make more adventures!