Vashon Island, Washington: Bicycle Eaten by Tree

Photo of the Bicycle Eaten by Tree taken on July 15, 2006 with handle-bar/front-wheel assemblage reattached.

Accessibility note: The short trail leading to the bike has a 1-2 foot rough ledge that may be difficult for elderly or handicapped visitors to climb.

"Aunt Vy's" son Jim, a friend of Berkeley Breathed, has recently cleared out around the Bicycle Tree and repaired the bike. In addition, "Aunt Vy" has been given a copy of the "original" history of this fun Vashon legend by the woman who lived it and wrote it; copies are available at the Country Store and Gardens, across the street from the Bicycle Tree.

Bicycle being eaten by a tree. The bike has been vandalized. But it is still there, and quite a site to behold.

A great destination for families whose children have read Berkeley Breathed's book,"Red Ranger Came Calling". This is the actual tree, engulfing the vintage bicycle, which inspired the story. The handlebars were removed by a (former) island author (guess who?)and hidden away until the day a big-time movie producer buys the rights to produce a film based on the book.

The "Aunt Vy" character in the book will autograph books if you visit her at her Country Store, across the street from the Bicycle Tree. You can't miss the Country Store. The Red Ranger book is sold there if anyone needs a copy!

Last time we went to see the "bicycle eaten by a tree," some idiots had vandalized it and removed the wheel and anything else that they could. We were heartbroken. In 1994, Berkeley Breathed of Outland Comics fame wrote a beautiful little Christmas book about the bicycle and how it came to be. We sent the book to all our friends and relatives for Christmas with a photo of our girls in front of the tree! It made the best gift!