Well I'm back from the meeting... oh man, what a mess. For DS, his high school used a software package that submitted the entire application electronically: transcripts, letters of recommendations from the teachers, all of it... and of course the college application itself. At DD's school, only the electronic application is electronic. She needs envelopes, stamps, forms signed and resigned by guidance, approval to request a letter of recommendation before it's even written by the teachers! Such ridiculous red tape... I'm only glad this isn't our first child to go through the process of applying to schools, so we have a pretty good handle on what's expected to be done and when. I swear, this school of hers seems to work extra hard to complicate a process that's challenging at times to begin with.

So back to running and my vacation... I neglected to mention that the day before the 10k, MrOM had run 19 miles! Me, I only ran 6 that day....

I really liked Portland. I had heard of this place, but the line to get in was too long:

But at least I got a good sense of the town, during the time we spent there.

The next day after the race (Monday), we left Portland and drove the scenic route to Mt. Hood, stopping along the way at Multnomah Falls.

Eventually we made it to Timberline Lodge. We got there mid-afternoon, just in time for our half-day Bike and Beer Tour (noticing a trend there yet?).

It was 3 hours of mountain biking followed by a tour of a local brewery and a beer tasting with dinner there. Oh, have I mentioned that I've never mountain-biked before?? In true adherence to my rule of "always try something twice, just to make sure you hate it", after I fell the second time, I opted to walk the bike through all the subsequent hills and treacherous twist and turns. My bruises are nice and colorful now, more than a week later. Once again, thank goodness for the beer!

Here's a couple shots of MrOM going down that last hill, the one I knew better than to even try:

What a natural!

After a short morning hike on Tuesday

we left Mt. Hood and drove the Fruit Loop (through various orchards and farms where you can buy/pick the fruit) on our way to Seattle. No more falls or races there, just lots of coffee....

Did you know there are 117 Starbucks within the city limits? We learned that and some other useless (but amazing) facts on Bill Speidel's Underground Tour of Seattle, as well as the Ride the Ducks Tour -- now that's living the dream!

Ran in the mornings there with MrOM, 9 miles on Wednesday and 7 miles on Thursday, all along the waterfront.

Wednesday was the actual date of our anniversary, and we had dinner reservations at The Pink Door. When I first called to make the reservation several weeks before, I had mentioned it was our 25th, and they had literally the best table in the house reserved for us. Though it wasn't one of the nights with the trapeze entertainment, the food, the ambiance and the champagne (oh my!) were absolutely perfect. The next night we had dinner at SkyCity, the revolving restaurant at the top of the Space Needle.

Very pretty views of the city indeed... though for some odd reason, I kept on thinking they were going to roll back Time at any moment for the next show....

On Friday we took the Victoria Clipper ferry to Victoria, BC for the day, where we had lunch with the famous Sans Souci! It was a lovely little vegetarian restaurant, and while there was beer on the menu, I opted (for once) to abstain. Afterward, we visited the beautiful Butchart Gardens, had an early dinner at a local brew pub (beer, yes!), then boarded the ferry for the three-hour return trip to Seattle. We flew home the next day.

Thanks all for indulging me with this story. I've been having trouble writing lately, and my mood and usually positive attitude have been really failing. Probably a delayed reaction to the trauma of my recent health issues, like a form of PTSD perhaps. It really hit me hard last week, when talking to SS and I mentioned that my second surgery was only two months ago. Only two months. I think the act of telling someone that made it finally sink in. Two months is not a long time. No wonder I've been feeling so lousy lately; and worse, feeling fed up and disappointed with myself that I'm not back to how I used to be before. It's one thing when you have a definitive injury and you can't run. It's another when you just have to wait and let your heart and mind recover, at a schedule that your body doesn't dictate.

Thanks again for listening, my friends.

MTA: Added some photos, might have some more later.

Sounds like you had a great trip, OM.  I wish you were feeling better, now, though.  Just so you know--you're in my morning prayers. 

DD managed to blow through $100 on the weekend buying food  mostly at restaurants) ... and she has a meal plan. Maybe she should have gone to school in rural North Dakota.... San Francisco is too tempting.

My son goes to school in North Dakota and is on a meal plan -- still goes out to eat quite often...

Meant to add the hugs before...

{{{Mari}}}

{{{Ribs}}}

{{{everyone else}}}

Go check out my previous two posts if you didn't see before; I added some pictures.

OM, Happy Anniversary, and welcome back!  We missed you!  Sounds like you had a great trip, with beer for breakfast and everything,  Great pictures, too.  Either you're very short, or Mr OM is very tall, or both. My brother lives in Portland - I'm thinking it's past time we paid him a visit, since it looks great!

Mike, I'm not familiar with that AC tattoo your DS got.  What does that mean? 

No tattoos for me or my DH.  Just not our thing.  Looks like it would hurt, and I'm a wuss. 

Mari and Ribs, condolences to the families of your friends.    And hugs to you both.

5 miles RAW on a flatland trail.  Nice that it's cool enough to run a flat trail for a change, after a summer of steep trail running.  I love running in the mountains, but if I have a limited time to run since I have to get home and cook dinner, I can go farther on a flat trail. 

Trail race tomorrow evening.  Looks like it will be IRC!

Orange Mat - what a lovely trip with your DH! Thanks for sharing it with us, and here's a few {{{hugs}}} back at you.