Winter Comes to Bend

Mid-February, snow was in the forecast, there was but one thing to do.

Time to visit Central Oregon!

A snowy Mt. Washington

After that snowy Thursday (the one that had my skiing friends doing the happy dance), the clouds opened up.  Although Mt. Hood only gained a couple of inches, Central Oregon was the big winner in the snowfall jackpot.  Mt. Bachelor reported a whopping 6 inches.  Even in town, Bend boasted a thick blanket of the white stuff.

My brother's snow-covered front yard

Early Saturday morning found me traveling over the Cascades, Bend-bound.  Winding down Santiam Pass, I just had to stop and take some photos of Mt. Washington's breathtaking snow-covered peak.

Some of the neighborhood locals

Pulling into my brother's street, I was greeted by a herd of locals, calmly munching on the neighbor's landscaping.

Lovely winter scene

Although I was eager to sample Mt. Bachelor's new snow, they were reporting high winds (aka 60 mph gusts) that effectively shut down most of the lifts.  With skiing no longer an option, my brother invited me hiking.

Snow covered bushes

You know me, I never say no to a hike!

Domino loves chasing snowballs

So my brother, his wife, and their young dog Domino all headed to one of their favorite trails on the outskirts of Bend.

A happy pup

There's a huge trail network west of town that follows the Deschutes River.  My brother comes here often to exercise his dog.  Domino always has lots of energy, and it's the perfect place to let her run.

Wind-blown snow makes a pretty scene

We parked near a closed road, covered in a thick blanket of white fluff.  Following the road, I marveled at the lovely snow-covered trees.  Mother Nature does a great job of decorating!

A sunburst peeps through the forest

So... many.... photo subjects!  I lagged behind from the very beginning.

"Domino, fetch!"

The road we followed was above the Deschutes River.  Every once and awhile the trees would part enough to give me a teaser glimpse of it.

Deschutes River view

Meanwhile Domino was having a blast running after pinecones, and jumping in the air trying to catch snowballs in her mouth.

 Snowball action shot

Is that a happy dog, or what?

Face of a happy dog

After a short trek, we drove down to the banks of the Deschutes.  While Domino took a dip in it's frigid waters, I roamed the bank looking for interesting subjects.

Lovely white bushes at river's edge

Of course, I found tons of stuff to photograph.  Such as these snowy bushes.  Or some colorful vegetation lining the river bank.

Bright colors along the Deschutes

It was wonderful to take a walk in the newly-fallen snow.  And nice to be outside on a sunny winter's day (and be reminded that, yes it is indeed still winter!)


Sharing with:  Saturday's Critters and Scenic Weekends.

Running Along the Deschutes

Along with hiking and traveling to visit family, this summer I've also been busy preparing for the Portland Marathon.  They say the hard part about running a marathon isn't the race itself, but the enormous amount of training required.  So true!  What seemed like a good idea when I first signed up last fall, morphed into a huge obligation, taking precious time away from hiking and photography activities.

Well-signed trails

Still, I did my best to work in the required training runs around my other stuff.  The weekend I traveled to Bend, after hiking both Friday and Saturday, Sunday was dedicated to a weekly long run.

The mighty Deschutes.with Mt. Bachelor in the background

Lucky for me, Bend is an outdoor enthusiasts playground.  Trails abound throughout town, reaching out into the surrounding plains and foothills.  And I'd heard the trail that followed the Deschutes River was the most scenic of them all.  A perfect place to get my run in!

Yellow vegetation lined the river

The Deschutes River winds through the town of Bend.  Numerous parks and trails line it's banks.  Some areas are very developed, while others are wild and unimproved.

Morning reflections

Because hot temps were predicted for Sunday, I started my run as soon as it was light.  Parking at Riverbend Park, I did a warm-up loop to the north, passing by the Les Schwab Amphitheater and Old Mill District.  The morning chill felt good, and I kept my long sleeve shirt on for most of the first two miles.

Nice wide path

Stopping back at my car for a water break, I ditched the long sleeves, and grabbed my point and shoot camera.  Time to explore the trail south of Riverbend Park. 

A rougher portion of the river

Oh was I in for a treat!  The river bank, lit up by the early morning light, was stunning.  Large yellow-fringed bushes (I have no idea the name) lined the river.  The combination of the yellow vegetation and blue water made for some gorgeous photo ops.  At one point, I even glimpsed a tiny Mt. Bachelor wayyy off in the distance.

Admiring views from the bridge

As I ran south, the trail became narrower, rocky and much more rugged.  The river's placid current was replaced by fast-moving water.  The developed parks and adjacent homes disappeared.  I felt like I was back in wilderness.

A bit of fall color

After a couple of miles, my trail crossed the Deschutes on a high pedestrian bridge, and I headed back on the opposite side.  The closer I traveled towards the park, the more people I began to see on the trail.  There were walkers, runners, dogs, kids, all enjoying a beautiful September morning.  People who live in Bend are so lucky to have this amazing trail network along such a lovely river.

Heading back towards town

I made a couple of loops around the river, trying to get in the required 16 miles.  However, two prior days of hiking were taking their toll.  My body fatigued fast, and my pace became turtle-slow.  After 11 miles, the heat and my growling stomach persuaded me to finish (that and a breakfast burrito was calling my name).

Tall, rocky cliffs

About a mile from my car, I stopped to capture a final photo of the lovely, wild scenery.  A lady walking by generously offered to take my picture.  This is what I look like after running 11 miles on a hot morning.  (Yep, you can tell I need that breakfast burrito!)

A nice lady took my picture

Back at my car, I noticed this sticker on the SUV parked next to me.  Some runners post "13.1" or "26.2" stickers on their cars (indicating they've run a half or full marathon).  But this sticker made me laugh - especially since I'd just finished a run.

This car sticker made me laugh

You're probably wondering when I'm running the Portland Marathon.  Well, I already ran it about a week and a half ago, on October 5th.  I'm working on a recap, and in my next post I'll tell you all the gory details.  :)

Christmas Tree Search - Central Oregon Style

After Thanksgiving, my parents and I journeyed to Central Oregon to visit my brother Dale and his family.  They live in the wonderful town of Bend, an outdoor recreation paradise.


Size matters!  Click on any photo to enjoy a larger version.

Our prey

During our visit, Dale planned to cut the family's Christmas tree.  He bought a permit from the Forest Service that allowed harvesting a tree from anywhere within the adjacent National Forest.

Our search begins

The Sunday after Thanksgiving, everyone piled into Dale's SUV and headed to the woods.  Our mission - find the perfect yuletide tree.  Dale knew of a great place.  In the forest south of town, a long strip of land had been cleared years ago for a new gas line.  Since that time, vegetation had reestablished itself over the alignment.  All the young saplings had now reached perfect Christmas tree height.

JJ is a tree hugger!

Dale found the correct road that led to this special place.  We parked, everyone rolled out of the car, and the search was on! 

How about this one?

It's a difficult task to find just the right Christmas tree.  And it's especially tough to get everyone's agreement on a particular choice.  Not only did Dale have his wife and kids, he also had my folks and I along, freely offering our opinions.   Of course, everyone "helped" pointing out possible contenders.

Max begins to cut

Although we spotted a few fir trees in the area, the trees in this clearing (and in most of Central Oregon) were predominantly Ponderosa pines. After much walking and discussion, Dale and his family settled on a fine Ponderosa specimen.

JJ tries his hand at the saw

Time to fell the tree!  Dale handed his saw to oldest son, Max.  Max started a cut in the tree's base, but the damp wood and dull saw made for tough cutting.  He quickly passed off to little brother JJ.

 

A little help from Dad

JJ tried valiantly to make some progress but the cut didn't grow.  Not one to give up easily, he kept at it, working much longer than his brother.  Finally, after many long minutes of watching his struggle, Dale stepped in to assist.

Everyone gathers to watch the show

My nephews stood back to let their dad finish the job.  Dale whittled away at the tree's base, while my Dad pushed on the trunk.

TIIIMMMBERRR!!

And TIMBER!  Dale's tree toppled over and landed on the forest floor with a soft thud.  Success!

Group tree photo

Time for a group victory photo!

Father, son, and grandson carry the tree

Next step - transport the tree back to Dale's vehicle.  Luckily, my Dad had driven it up the dirt road and parked close by, so it wasn't a long trip.  I love the above photo.  Three generations - father, son, and grandson - are carrying the Christmas tree.

Back at home, it's time to decorate

Arriving back at Dale's house, the tree was immediately put into a stand.  It was then taken indoors and placed in a special spot by the front window.  Let the decorating begin!

Max hangs an ornament

Dale's family had a huge box chock-full of interesting ornaments.  Dale's wife buys the boys a special ornament every year, noting the date on the back of each one.  My nephews have quite a collection. It was fun to see Max and JJ finding their special decorations and reminiscing about each one.

Godzilla??

Max and JJ's trinkets run the gamut between Sponge Bob, Homer Simpson, and the more traditional decorated balls.  But I was surprised to see a small plastic Godzilla hanging from one of the branches.  That's one ornament I've never seen on a Christmas tree before!

The tree is getting full

The boys ended up pooping out about halfway through the decoration process, leaving their parents to finish up.  Once all the colorful balls and trinkets were placed, this little tree looked quite magnificent.

Even the dog gets some decor

Now it was time to decorate the rest of the house.  Nothing was safe.  Even T-Bone the dog got festooned with a merry garland.  (And you can tell how thrilled he is!)

Since my kids are grown, purchasing our tree at a local lot has taken the place of a trip to the woods.  So it was fun to be a part of my nephew's tree cutting tradition.  I'm looking forward to getting our own tree very soon.

Linking to:  Share Your Cup Thursday and This or That Thursday and Orange You Glad It's Friday.

Haulin' Aspen X 3

They say the third time's a charm.  Maybe that's true for other things, but I don't think it works for running races.  This was my third straight year finishing the Haulin' Aspen Half Marathon, and let me tell you, it doesn't get any easier.


Size matters!  Click on any photo to enjoy a larger image.

Starting line Mt. Bachelor view

This race is hands-down the toughest half I run.  The course is almost entirely on gravel roads, hiking, or mountain biking trails on the outskirts of Bend, OR.  Running on rocky, uneven surfaces is difficult.  One must be super-vigilant and watch their footing to avoid taking a tumble.  The weather is usually hot and the trails dusty.  Then there is the hill.  Ah yes, the "Hill from Hell."  Two and a half miles of climbing up a shadeless gravel road.

Gettin' ready to race in the hot sun

So why do I keep coming back?  Well, I like a challenge.  It's a great excuse to visit Bend in the summertime.  The swag is great - usually a hat and nice t-shirt.  And the post-race refreshments are amazing.  Lots of good food, and all the Deschutes beer you can drink!  (Did I mention there was beer?)

Mile four marker

Sunday's weather promised nice hot temps.  Our summer so far had been unseasonably cool, so I wasn't at all thrilled to be running in the heat.  Upon hearing the forecast, I pondered picking up my t-shirt and bagging out of the race.  But I'm not one to waste good money.  Or miss the opportunity to sweat in the dust and sun.  Besides, remember I said there was beer at the finish line?  In order to get the beer, you had to run the race.

We begin the "Hill from Hell"

It was already baking in the sun just before the race's 8:30 am start.  Bend is a huge outdoor sports town, and at the starting line I was surrounded by tons of super-fit hardbodied people - some quite a bit older than me.  Yes, mighty intimidating to this chunky, late-40's mom!  I was feeling tired from my hike the day before, and the heat was already zapping my energy.  As I lined up with the other runners, I wasn't feeling much excitement for this race. 

A couch - just in case you needed a break

 

But off we went - across the road and smack into the mountain biking trails.  The pounding from hundreds of feet made the dust fly.   I tried to keep my mouth shut, but when you're gasping for breath that's hard to do.  I didn't take long for grit to accumulate between my teeth.

 

Nice lady in red scooter cheering the runners

I'd long ago considered today's race to be my weekly marathon training long run.  So I gave myself permission to run at a slower pace.  It was a good thing, because right away I wasn't feelin' the urge to race at all.  Dogging along the dusty trail, I was passed by dozens of runners.  This wasn't always a bad thing.  I got passed by a couple of shirtless guys (nice eye candy!)  Focusing on the nice scenery (ahem, and I don't mean the trees) got me through the next couple of miles.

My brother caught me near mile 12

After four miles of dusty bike trails, the course emptied out onto a wide gravel road.  The runners were able to spread out, just in time for the killer hill.  And what a  hill it is!  Over two miles of solid climbing.  The past two times running this race I'd prided myself with running up the entire thing, no stopping.  But last year it about did me in, so today I decided there was no shame in walking.  Especially since the hill is almost entirely in the sun.

 

Headin' to the finish

Up I struggled.  About halfway, I spied an old couch on the side of the road.  Funny to see out in the middle of nowhere. Guess that was for any runner that needed a break!  Near the top of the steepest incline, a nice lady with a red scooter was ringing a cowbell and offering encouragement.  Much appreciated!

Around mile 5.5, in the throes of the heat and hill climbing, I thought to myself "This sucks!  What was I thinking?  Why do I run this race?  I'm not doing this again next year!"  (The very same things I muttered while running this hill last year)

Yahoo!  I survived!

After a few walk breaks, and running the absolute slowest pace ever, I finally reached the summit of "Hill from Hell."  Back on more trails, I was happy to see things were all downhill.  After sucking down a Gu near mile 8.5, I suddenly got a second wind.  Don't know if it was the wonderful downgrade or if my body finally woke up, but my groove came back in a big way.  I felt as if my feet had sprouted wings.  My pace increased and I screamed down the dusty path.  Now it was my turn to pass people.  And pass I did!

 

A well-earned medal

My competitive spirit restored, the rest of the race I concentrated on holding a fast pace.  Near mile 12, I burst out of the forest and onto Shevlin Park's access road.  I heard someone calling my name and looked up to see my brother Dale behind the lens of a camera.  So wonderful to see him!

Trail running = dirty legs & feet

 

I motored down the access road, the only pavement on the course.  It felt really weird to be running on asphalt again.  I passed a few more struggling people who seemed to be withering in the heat.  But I knew the faster I ran, the quicker I'd finish, and the faster I'd get that beer!  And about then I was mighty thirsty.

Jumping in the icy waters of Tumalo Creek

 

The final half mile of the course wound through Shevlin Park itself.  I kept hearing people cheering and many times thought the finish line was just around the bend.  The last 0.1 mile was the longest of my life!  But finally there it was, the finish arch.  I willed my legs to give a final burst of speed and crossed the timing mats.  Done!

Dale was there to congratulate me. After sucking down lots of water, I ambled over to the beer tent to retrieve my reward. And then I followed many other runners into the icy waters of Tumalo Creek to cool off my poor aching feet. The combination of beer and cold water did wonders to revive my tired body. 

I feel much better now!

I survived yet another running of the Haulin' Aspen.  Although my time was slower than last year's, I blame the heat and my hike the day before.  Will I run this race again?  Ask me again next spring when I've forgotten all about the hot sun and killer hill!

After spending the rest of the afternoon sprawled on the coach at Dale's house watching the Olympics, (those women marathoners were incredible - they ran the full as fast as I ran my half!) I recovered enough for one final hike on my way home the next day.  Be sure not to miss my next post, the most wonderful trail in my great Central Oregon weekend.