Let's go for a long run!

Mid-February, and we're getting Oregon's hint of spring. Warm enough for shorts for running, and real sunshine! This was my 22+ mile long run last weekend -- I carried my camera, and had a good morning!

I chose to run to town and back, using several out and back and neighborhoods once I got to town to get the miles in. All good running areas. First, down the hill and turn at the church. The big field behind the church was full of Canadian geese!

Shortly after this was the burn pile from one of the filbert orchard prunings. I could tell which way the wind was blowing, and passing the pile on the way back (on that side of the road), I could feel the heat from the smoldering.

Next, an out and back my country road that's almost flat. Lots to see this morning! Here's the view of Bald Peak -- it's not so bald anymore, the trees are growing up on top!

Here is the Boer goat farm, with kids just starting to show. They look like beagle puppies!

Here's one of the creeks that the road crosses -- when it floods, this is as far as I go!

This tree was a bee tree a few summers ago.

These are Jacob sheep, at Bide-a-Wee farm, my turnaround place at their old red barn.

It's spring! Pussy willow is starting!

And some white-face babies:

On the road heading towards town again.

Oregon is beautiful!

The horses didn't come down to the fence today, but they were enjoying the sunshine, too.

These are some views of Bailey Nursery, a commercial farm that specializes in trees, often mixing ornamental trees with rows of flowers.

Under a set of power lines...

The filbert orchards are all pollinating now.

This old grange is being remodeled into a church. There are beautiful chandeliers hanging in there now. Before we knew it was turning into a church, we wondered about it becoming a ballroom.

Here's where I turn off onto a gravel road that is a safer way to the residential neighborhoods for my run. There's a pond near the turn.

The edge of town. Still farm stuff on one side, and suburbia on the other.

Spots of color in some of the yards:

I was meandering around the different neighborhood streets, on my way to Jaquith Park.

This park has everything - baseball, tennis, basketball, horseshoes, playground, covered picnic area -- and a restroom for a needed stop, plus refilling the G'ade bottle, plus a Gu.

Headed back through neighborhoods going out of town -- this house still had Christmas balls in the tree over the sidewalk!

Back on the gravel road at last!

This mask was decorating the fencepost, just out along the orchard.

Again, Oregon is gorgeous!

Across the road from where the nursery pics were, I found these little blue and white flowers on the edge of the ditch.

This is one of 'my' dog buddies who'll bark and run along the fence every time I pass!

The Chehalem Valley is full of vineyards!

Coming up on the neighborhood school, one of the oldest around. The bell is from the structure that this newer building replaced.

One more out and back section:

This air field does helicopter rides and lessons, and one was happening as I went by:

This is a beautiful home and yard that is used for outdoor weddings and parties.

There's that burn pile again!

The last hill!

Spring asters are starting to bloom!

Cattails in front of the vineyard:

Some winter mustard -- these plants have been in bloom since fall. The spring mustard, which is slightly smaller, doesn't come out until next month.

Buds on the redbud!

Home at last!

So, that's 4.5 hours and about 22.5 miles. My run/walk routine was 4/1/4/1/4/1/4/2, where on the 2 minute walk break, I'd drink some Gatorade. It works!