Karen M's writings: 2007

Happy Thanksgiving! Today was clear and cold, and colder with the north winds. But that beats cold and rainy, any day! Portland Turkey Trot is a 4 mile run, starting outside the Forestry Center, running down to the Japanese Gardens, then back up and finishing in the zoo.

What a fun way to start the day -- I got there an hour early, because I know how busy the parking lot usually is. And it was, for this is the biggest Turkey Trot in years. 1800 people pre-registered (I'm sure the weather forecast makes a big difference). They even did two starts waves, one at 8:00, and the other at 8:15, for those who got hung up in traffic and picking up race stuff. I ordered the tech shirt this year -- bright red with the zoo animals. :) I don't always order a shirt (they're extra cost) but my old one was getting too old. :)

It was clear and cold this morning, with the north winds. Brrr...I got my stuff, then went back to sit in my car, out of the wind. I wore tights, the long-sleeve Portland marathon shirt, and my Flying Pig jacket, which is one layer warmer than the Tyvek. It also has lots of zipper pockets, so I had a place to keep my keys and phone and camera close by, but secure. In the race packet was a coupon that I made sure I put in a zippered pocket for after the race -- a hunk of fudge (plus 10% discount on purchases) from the Zoo store. :) I didn't make other purchases, though they have lots of really cute things, including a strand of Christmas lights that are penguins. :) But I got the great hunk of fudge! :)

About 15 minutes before the race started, I went to stand on the curb near the start line with my back to the wind. I met a Dad and his daughter, Alex. She was so cute - and so cold, about 7. Her mom and little brother stayed home. Dad hadn't done this race before, so I told him about the down and up, and ending in the zoo. He asked about where to meet if they got separated, and my suggestion was the elephant display, since that's the closest animals to where we finish. She had a bright pink ski cap that I was going to look for, for she took off at the start. :) A track star in the making. But she must've taken it off when she got warmed up, for I didn't see it again.

Lots of families were doing the 4 mile race, and the kids were doing the kids' race, too, which is scheduled enough later for both. There were Matt and Mark, really young ones, running really well at the start. Not overdoing it, but fast. Their dad was trying to keep them running side by side, and right in front of him, for there were so many runners out there, and the boys were so small. They didn't take their first walk break till about 12 minutes. :)
I carried the camera, but not all the pictures turned out. I think a new camera is now on my Christmas wish list. :)

We ran to the parking lot for the Japanese Garden, where there was a water station. Then it was back uphill. Baby steps on the uphill. Going up, I caught up with Austin and his dad. Austin loved the gravity-assisted downhill, but he was working going up. Baby steps going up. Run tall and quiet. I passed him, but I don't think he ever walked it -- his goal was to run the whole race. :) He was 9 years old. :)

We got to the top and turned to go into the zoo. It's a wonderful downhill finish, not at all steep. And all the way through the zoo to the amphitheater near the far end. The "Gobble Gobble" bibs were all you needed to finish the race and have zoo admission. :) The clock at the finish line was 42 something, so I was pleased with the pace average between the down and up! :) There was water at the end, then you were directed to the real goody line -- we got our chocolate turkey, some zoo animal crackers, and oranges and bananas. After the race, I stayed and saw almost all the zoo. The penguins were active this morning, and the polar bears. The Northwest section had lots of actvity, too, black bears and otters and birds, and even the cougars were where you could see them. But not all the animals like the windchill -- none of the primates were out, the elephants even were inside, the lorikeets came to their open window but wouldn't venture out for the 'juice' treats. A very good day.

Now for some zoo pics:

This is the section of the zoo with birds and animals of the Northwest:

There's also a section with some farm animals (lots of petting). And lots of Christmas lights, too -- Zoo Lights. I like the flying pig lights on the barn:

Portland Zoo also has a wonderful penguin exhibit:

And lots of sculptures, all over the zoo. Then I went to see the lorikeets, but they didn't like the freezing temps!

I was getting so cold that I finally got my hunk of fudge and went to the car and headed for home. :) This pic was in front of the Zoo Store -- there a two stuffed bears there. And even bigger stuffed teddy bears inside -- I think you'd need a pickup truck to take one home, they'd be too big to fit in our Buick! :)

Got Thanksgiving dinner done about 2:00 -- no turkey, but a cashew nut casserole that was perfect with the mashed potatoes and salad and pumpkin pie. :) Then, after getting that cleaned up, I did a little crocheting, then we did the batch of pizzelles. MMmmmm... :)

...is L. L. "Stub" Stewart State Park, in the coastal range between Banks and Vernonia. They have some camping areas already done (more being developed), some cabins done, and a walk-in tent camp area. There are many trails (the bike/hike trail that connects Banks and Vernonia, the old railroad grade, goes through the park). Many of the trails on the map are not completed yet, and are closed off, and many that are open aren't signed well, but the park is just beginning and things can only get better.

We were there late Saturday afternoon last week, and here are some pics:

The trails are mostly on old logging road/skidder trails. It is beautiful forest up there! Very muddy after the rains, so we had to hike carefully and step carefully on some of the marshy trails.

This is a very hilly area, so some of the trails are not easy ones. But they (at least the ones that were opened) are all doable -- and beautiful in the fall!