Go play on the freeway…
October 15th, 2007
Seriously. Go play on the freeway. Or at least here in Astoria… go play on US 101. Yesterday was the 26th annual Great Columbia Crossing. Starting on the Washington side, over the Astoria/Megler bridge and finishing at Astoria High School on the Oregon side. I know of no other time one can walk or run across our little bridge. It’s no Bay to Breakers, nor is it the Golden Gate… but it is big in fun and community pride.
Our youngest son was volunteering at the race (along with his XC teammates) . Finally a chance to get to see him run in an event. DS2 is on the Cross Country and Golf teams at school. Both not very good spectator sports for parents. This was a great opportunity for us to see him run like the wind and cheer him on! Ooooooh mahm.
I dragged DH out of bed and pumped him up with some coffee and off we went. The city of Astoria and ODOT did a fantastic job of diverting traffic and staging those of us who wished to drive across the bridge. We could see the hundred’s of people on the top span and hoped we wouldn’t miss seeing our son. The runners are not visible in this photo… but there were gobs of them.
While waiting to get onto the bridge (what felt like ferry parking), there was our Oregon State Senator Betsy Johnson (who I adore) handing out treats while we waited. And I think she brought the sunshine in her goodie bucket as well. We discussed the benefits of running - and buns of steel. And we both agreed the best buns of steel were dusted with cinnamon sugar and drizzled with icing.
And here’s our boy! I couldn’t believe we actually found him in the thousands of runners. DS2 is in the gray sweatshirt/black shorts. The back of his team XC shirt says, “Our sport is your sport’s punishment”.
This year’s Great Columbia Crossing poster/t-shirt (in the top photo) was done by local (Ilwaco, WA) artist Don Nisbett. I love this man’s work. Paula has a nice sample of his work as well (I think I saw it on her blog, but now I can’t find it - if that’s where I even saw it). Anyhoo… I especially love what Nisbett did from a photo by Lori Assa for the Daily Astorian/Coast Weekend from an article about our quilt guild a few years back. When art imitates life. Something like that.
Posted in I Heart Oregon |
Farting around with needle & thread and then blogging about it.
Isn’t that wonderful? I just love town festivities like that. I bet everyone just had a fabulous time.
October 15th, 2007I really was going to cross the Columbia this year. No really, stop looking at me like that ~ I was!! It just snuck up on me again ~ Great picture of your DS2. How fun for you to get that.
I think you saw my Don Nesbitt (sp?) in my kitchen, you silly goose! I can’t remember it ever being on my blog, but - HEY - good idea!!
October 15th, 2007Ooh, how fun! I love what your son’s shirt says! Really, any sport is my punishment, but I love to watch! What a fabulous event and weather to match!
October 15th, 2007Woo hoo running DS2! He looks happy. Frankie ran CC as well only when she’d see me with a camera she’d be making a mean face and giving me the knock it the @#%& off gesture.
October 15th, 2007Love the crabby art. And love that Monterrey Medallion quilt! Great photos!
What a beautiful fall day! Your son looks amazing with the wind in his hair. What a fun event to look forward to each year.
Now I have to admit, I’m not sure I’d be happy being called a quilting crab. Although that’s what I become when I have to stop and fix dinner!
October 15th, 2007That is awesome…what a wonderful community event!!! LOVE it!
October 15th, 2007Love the crab postcard and you must be so proud of your son for running in that. The bridge looks wayyyyy long. Very cool.
October 15th, 2007I love those quilting crabs - Maryland is for crabs, ya know. :o)
October 16th, 2007WOW! What a GORGEOUS day. What a HANDSOME kiddo. Looks and sounds like you guys had a great time. I wanna come home and play too! :)
October 16th, 2007That is the coolest sight…all of those people crossing the bridge. Wish I lived closer.
October 16th, 2007That looks like a ton of fun - and well done to your son! I am loving the quilting crabs - so clever. It reminds me that if I don’t my quilting in for the day I get crabby lol I know, it’s a bad one….!
October 16th, 2007Good for your son! I know seeing him made you smile. I love the quilt pictures–so lovely.
October 16th, 2007How long is the bridge?
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According to the GCC website, the bridge is 4.1 miles long. Though many a time I’ve been stuck traveling behind a motor-home and I could swear that bridge is 20 miles long! - Monica
October 16th, 2007The more I hear/see/read about Oregon the more I want to move there. Astoria, especially, calls to me. Posts like yours have me starting to pack.
What a fabulous day.
October 16th, 2007It sounds like you all had a great day! I’ll pass on the running myself (the hip, you know.) and, uh, I’ll also pass on walking over a bridge because it would make me pass out with fear. But, I’ll take one of those treats!! And I would have cheered your DS2 on as well. Really loudly!
Looks like it was a gorgeous day for a fun event.
October 16th, 2007That’s really cool! We enjoy cheering on our XC runner, too. Although we also tell him that if he doesn’t run faster, he’ll have to walk home.
October 17th, 2007Just a note to thank you for stopping by my blog…I thought I had left you a note the other day, but evidently not…Did you make the cake?
I’m making sticky buns today. LOVE THEM!
October 17th, 2007I just have to remember to take pictures before eating them! LOL
God bless.
Terri
It sounds like such a fun time! I’ve always thought that the Astoria bridge is one of the prettiest bridges.
October 17th, 2007Oh Monica! Once again you are making me homesick! Love, love, love the photos - what a beautiful day!! Thank you so much for sharing! Hooray for DS2!
October 23rd, 2007Hey Monica thanks for your lovely comment on my fabric..I think it’s a real winner too! Enjoy…
October 25th, 2007