Week 2 in Stumptown

Still no sign of snow - but lots of sun! Apparently Portland has one of the highest rates of depression in the US - possibly attributed to the 222 overcast days per year - so I think we are getting pretty lucky since we've had a fair share of the nice days.


Did a couple of cool bike rides over the weekend sans Finn as we were relieved of him by Grandma Mac. Georgi and I did a ride on for historic Columbia River Highway - it is the 1920's vintage road through the Columbia River gorge and they have re-opened a 5 mile segment for bikes and walkers only. A perfectly smooth paved road with no cars - it even has a tunnel to bike through.




Watch this bike-video of the 1-mile downhill run at the end of the trail. (note the bobble at the end where I happen to notice a gate ahead coming up at the last minute!)


(Larger versions of these videos are here)

After the bike ride, went to Full Sail Brewing's tasting room in Hood River.

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Then the next day, we did the the "Worst Day of the Year Ride" - which is a 18-mile recreational ride through the streets of Portland. 3500 people on bikes, silly costumes, lots of donuts and three-snack stops en-route.



Even a cool syncopated drummer band at the start. (see video)

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After sending Grandma Mac back home, I went to the Portland Humpin' Hash House Harriers (Wednesday) - lets just say this hash was more about the beer than the running, and a much younger crowd. Not one, not two, but at least four beer checks enoute (there may have been 5 beer checks, but things were getting fuzzy). However, there was lots of good views along the run. The nice thing too is that the transit system is so good, I figured out how to get the hashes with bus +/- bike, so no driving restrictions!

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I also went and saw Redfern's hoverbarge - after working for two years on permitting this mythical beast I finally laid eyes on it. It is pretty much finished, just needed one engine cover put on and some of the skirting installed. Pretty sad really.

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Lastly, Finn and I went to an aerospace museum about an hour out of town - somewhere in farm country. Wow, I was amazed - it was such a cool, huge place, and we had it all to ourselves. Finn went nuts with all the levers, buttons, dials and even mini-helicopters to play in. Also, I took Finn to his first movie - but it was a 3D IMAX, so I suppose he will disappointed forevermore with the theater in Whitehorse.