LUCKY LAGER AND THE SPICY WENCH Episode 53 Pirate Coffee Company. 10 Vista St, Depoe Bay, OR 97341 While traveling north on the 101 we encountered the charming town of DePoe Bay, Oregon. The base of Pirate Coffee Company, the whale watching capital of the Oregon coast, and home to the world’s smallest navigable harbor. Here we met owners Shae Palmer and her sister Bree Boaz. There is more to this family than we would have liked to cover, but we ran out of time! These sisters give the phrase “family ties” new meaning. If you want to be a member of this clan you better have a business plan….everyone works, even Shae’s children. Mom and dad live upstairs and are “retired” but still make the bakery component of this store out of this world. Made from scratch and NO RECIPES. If you go, ask for the blueberry cinnamon coffee cake. They don’t have it? don't be surprised, Mom makes whatever the spirit moves her to make. So do not ask what the special will be tomorrow, just show up and be amazed! They roast their own beans and you can get their great coffee online. Our first guest Shae, at the tender age of 12 trained for the Olympics in water polo. At 13 she won the US Nationals. At 17 she was the first female to receive a full scholarship for water polo and became the NCAA all American. What then happened in her senior year that changed her life’s trajectory. Once you hear how Shae’s journey led her to Depoe Bay you won’t be surprised. From engineer and software developer in Silicon Valley, to coffee shop owner in Texas. See how family has influenced her decision making process. How many horses does one have to go through to get the “right one”? What one very devoted mother went through to get her daughter a horse perfect for barrel racing. Was the horse a gift? Shae should get parent of the year for teachable moments. Her children may call her a busy body, but do you know what that means? All is not what it seems. Sisters Bree,( a former Bank manager), and Amber (former chiropractor) also came back to Depoe Bay from Texas. What are their roles in the coffee business? Bree shared the secret of why Pirate Coffee Co is the most popular coffee shop in DePoe Bay, and the answer may have something to do with Switzerland! A man walked into Pirate Coffee Co, ordered his coffee, and left without paying. Today that man and Bree are married! How does that work? Did he ever pay for his coffee? Bree’s discussion about children both the 2 and 4 legged kind will leave you with a new found insight into wanting to be a parent, when sometimes things don’t work out as you planned. The answer is heartwarming, and amazing. Coming to grips with the fact that you may never have children is hard and Bree shared their very personal story. A story that may lift hearts, and give hope to people facing the same obstacle. Our next interview with 11 year old Justice will explain it all. Moving from a state with multiple options for schooling to DePoe Bay where school was one hour away (with no bus service) what were the options? And how has that worked out. Save time for helping out in the store and contributing to the coffee menu! Not only does he have a keen sense of humor, his very articulate responses to some of our questions may make you rethink traditional education. Justice explained the nuances of online homeschooling. Can he wear his pajamas to class? His 20 year projection may, or may not include taking over the coffee business, becoming a coder, or an archer on horseback. The possibilities are endless. You will thoroughly enjoy our conversation with this youngest barista, who just wants to focus on his goals. Some people may drive a “couple” of miles for a great roast. Our next guests,Judy and Eugene hold our podcast distance record. What makes Pirate Coffee so special you fill your gas take to get here? What do you do with a high school boy who “just keeps showing up at your house”? Call the police or get married!