Ketchup

This photo has absolutely nothing to do with the blog post, but it's such a pretty painting by Deb http://www.debpero.com/ that I wanted to put it on my blog. :-)

Let's see... it's been awhile since I've posted, mostly because of general busy-ness and limited computer time while traveling since I'd rather be out exploring.

Portland was awesome! I really liked it there, especially Forest Park, which I mentioned in the previous post. Chris kindly crewed while I ran the super groovy 30-mile Wildwood Trail that Sunday, the 10th. It's been awhile since I've done a run of that length so was really happy to do the whole thing AND feel good throughout. Never did get out to the Gorge or Mt. Hood to play in the snow because most of the remaining days were spent "redlining" the side trails in Forest Park -- think I ran about 90% of 'em -- and exploring different sections of the city. Also did a couple of yoga classes at the Y.

We flew back to Santa Barbara (SO much more enjoyable than LAX!) Friday night, the next day did some trail work with a great team of folks on the Horn Canyon Trail, part of the upcoming Coyote 2 Moon course, and also stashed all the water up on the ridge for the race. The road was a bit snow covered and unfortunately not without a couple of mishaps: one vehicle got stuck in the snow and had to be pulled out, then same vehicle sustained a punctured tire due to a buried rock. Ouch, sorry about that H'ard!

On Monday we were off on a work trip to Vegas, not my favorite of places even though I seem to end up there a lot. However, there is really some great hiking/running just outside the city. I ventured down to Bootleg Canyon in Boulder City and, while climbing Black Mtn., counted 28 (!) bighorn sheep, the sprawl of the city a distant backdrop. Also ventured up Mountain Spring Peak in the beautiful Spring Mtns. and Frenchman Mtn. just west and east of the city respectively. Okay, so we did walk the Strip one night, too, but just to people watch and drink one of those giant, 2-foot frozen margaritas. Heh, heh.

Back to Oxnerd on Thursday night, a ribbon-tying party for C2M course markers on Friday night, and a couple of nice runs in Pt. Mugu State Park over the weekend. Still spinning, doing weights, and yoga when I can fit it in, 2-3 times/week (although this morning I stuck myself WAY in the back of the room during spinning class 'cuz I was tired!).

Off on the next adventure Thursday...!! More on that in a couple of weeks. Oh, so coy... :p

Portland

We've been in Portland, Oregon, all week and will be here a week more. The city strikes me as progressive, hip, cool... but my gosh, the RAIN! It has rained every single day, and more is forecast every day for the next five days. (The optimist would say "If only California and the rest of the Southwest would be so lucky.") Of course, all this precip is falling in the form of SNOW in the mountains -- the Cascades are getting dumped on! I hope to get out toward Mt. Hood or the Gorge next week for some skiing or snowshoeing.

Having done just a brief drive through of Portland last summer after climbing Hood, I hadn't spent any real time exploring the city and consequently knew nothing of Forest Park or the Wildwood Trail. Forest Park is said to be the largest urban park in the country at around 5,000 acres, and it has about 50 miles of trail. (Not sure why the Blue Hills Reservation south of Boston isn't considered the largest at 7,000 acres -- perhaps too far outside the city boundaries?) Anyway, the Wildwood Trail is simply an awesome running trail; in fact, it seems the trail was built FOR running, with its miles and miles of smooth serpentine singletrack. Mountain bikes are not allowed though it sure would be a fun ride! I hope to do the entire ~30-mile trail on Sunday, the only thing barring an excursion of that length being the weather, seeing as how I am a wimpy California gal now and can't be out in the cold rain very long. ;-)

I also got out of the city and ran around Hagg Lake (14 miles) on Wednesday. Being a midweek February day, I had the trail entirely to myself save for one man walking his dog and a bunch of ducks on the lake. Except for the sprawling lumber mill just before the lake's dam, it was really pretty and quiet.

The hotel has a decent fitness center, so I've been able to keep up on my upper body weight work, and I did one yoga class at the Y a few blocks away. Last but not least, I discovered the amazing Powell's Books, "the largest independent used and new bookstore in the world." It took me almost two hours to get through the first (of four) levels. To say, I could spend a lot of time there!

All in all a fun week of exploring a new area, eating some great food, and hitting some awesome trails. :-)