The late afternoon sun dipped below the Bremerton skyline, casting an orange glow across the gleaming paint of the 2024 Jeep Wrangler in unapologetic Tuscadero pink. I grinned at Sarah, my best friend since high school, who was fiddling with the radio. "This thing practically roars, doesn't it?" I remarked, feeling the rumble of the 3.6L Pentastar V6 engine beneath us.
"Roars? More like purrs," Sarah corrected, finally landing on a classic rock station pumping out Fleetwood Mac. "Especially in this color. It's more like a victory lap."
We'd just picked up the Wrangler from West Hills Chrysler Jeep Dodge Ram, which, as Sarah reminded me enthusiastically, was hosting their annual Breast Cancer Awareness event throughout October. The dealership was decked out in pink ribbons and banners, and the showroom gleamed with a lineup of pink vehicles, including the Gladiator, that practically winked at us from across the floor.
"Victory lap, huh?" I mused. "That's actually a pretty good way to put it."
Sarah, a breast cancer survivor herself, nodded fiercely. "Absolutely. Early detection is key, you know? That's what makes events like the one at West Hills so important."
I glanced at her, catching the glint of determination in her eyes. "I know, right? I saw the brochure. All the proceeds go to the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, right?"
"Yep," Sarah confirmed. "Every penny. They do amazing work there. Early detection and treatment advancements are making such a difference these days."
We fell silent for a moment, the only sound of the wind whipping through our hair and the music playing faintly. The conversation, however, remained heavy in the air, a reminder of Sarah's battle and the strength it took to come through it.
"So, tell me more about this event they're having," I prompted, eager to shift the focus and learn more. "I want to make sure I spread the word."
Sarah, ever the champion of all things pink and informative, perked up. "Okay, so picture this: It's all October long, right? They have this giant pink ribbon display outside the dealership. It's pretty impressive."
"I can imagine," I chuckled.
“It’s not just the Jeep store that is hosting this event. All West Hills Auto Plex dealerships are committed to the fight against Breast Cancer. They donate twenty-five dollars for every vehicle sold and another five dollars for every vehicle serviced throughout the entire month! The whole hill is awash in pink.”
"That's fantastic," I said, feeling a surge of admiration for West Hills. "It's kind of like a pink whirlwind of fundraising sweeping through Bremerton, huh?"
Sarah laughed. "Exactly! Plus, at the Jeep store, you can enter to win a pair of Bose headphones just for having your photo taken with one of their Jeeps.” Her eyes widened.
"Wait, really?"
"Yep," Sarah confirmed. "A pink one, of course."
We continued discussing the event details as we cruised along Highway 305, the crisp autumn air invigorating. Briefly, Sarah pointed out the new highway interchange in Silverdale, a testament to the ever-growing community.
Soon, the charming town of Poulsbo came into view, its waterfront lined with colorful sailboats. Then, nestled amidst rolling green hills, Bushel and Barrel Cidery appeared. The warm scent of apples and yeast drifted in the air, a tantalizing welcome. Sprawling outdoor seating with colorful umbrellas stretched across a manicured lawn.
The cidery itself was a charming converted warehouse, its exposed brick walls and wooden beams creating a warm, inviting atmosphere. Long wooden tables stretched across the space, and families and friends gathered around, enjoying their beverages and snacks.
We snagged a seat towards the back, where a young man strummed an acoustic guitar, his music adding a mellow soundtrack to our conversation. "This place is great," I remarked, taking in the ambiance.
"Isn't it?" Sarah agreed, eyeing the flight of ciders on the menu. "I'm going for the 'Scrumpybear' You in?"
"Absolutely," I replied, raising an eyebrow. " Think I’m going to go with the Raspberry Ginger, though. Sounds delicious."
The ciders arrived, a kaleidoscope of golden amber in small glasses. We clinked them together, the sound light and bubbly, mirroring our mood. As we took our first sips, Sarah leaned forward.
"You know, Fred Hutch is truly a world-renowned research center," she began, a touch of seriousness creeping back into her voice. "They're constantly developing new treatments and pushing the boundaries in terms of fighting this disease."
"That's incredible," I said, taking another sip of the cider.
The next few hours were a delightful blur of conversation and cider. We sampled different flavors, each bursting with crisp apple notes while soaking in the warm atmosphere. The live music from a local folk duo filled the air, creating a relaxed yet vibrant mood.
"You know," Sarah said, leaning back in her chair, "this whole day – the pink Jeep, this amazing cider place, the music – it just feels…hopeful. Like we're making a difference."
"We are," I agreed, raising my cider in a silent toast. "Maybe it starts with a special-edition car color, but that leads to awareness, which leads to funding, which leads to research, which leads to a cure. It's a ripple effect, Sarah."
The music swelled a joyful melody that echoed our sentiment. As the last rays of the sun dipped below the horizon, we left Bushel and Barrel, the laughter still ringing in our ears.
