At some point, I really do plan to sit down and write about some of the adventures we've been having lately. But sometimes it's just easier to make a film about it. In July, Bill and I rode the southern half of the Oregon Timber Trail, with 3 other friends. At some point along the way, we started talking about how we could totally make a movie about it... so we did. This past weekend, we had a big premiere and played the long form version and gave a talk on how it all went for us. We had around 50 people come, and we raised some cash for the Oregon Timber Trail Alliance! While YouTube won't let me upload the long version without paying them cash, I was able to pop the short form version up there to share.

I drive down the South Santiam River corridor every time I make my way from our home in the Valley out to Eastern Oregon. Every time I'm on the road, I find myself wishing I had the time to stop. But being as it's always been a path to some destination I have in mind, in my hurry, I never do. 
About a week ago I had a free day with no agenda - a rarity in this life. We've had non-stop sun this entire November (Novembruly?), a terribly disconcerting and simultaneous joy as we all contemplate our next fire season. But putting the unpleasant thoughts of climate change to the back of my mind for a minute, I decided to grab my new camera and just take a cruise through the pass, stopping wherever I felt like it. In the process, I found a couple new swimming holes for next summer, scouted a bike packing route down the santiam wagon road, and found a trail system I had heard of but never discovered for myself. I also made this little video.

My husband, Bill, and I have been helping to coach a youth mountain bike team here in Corvallis. These kids worked hard all summer long learning skills and getting in shape on the bike, and the payoff was really amazing. Here's a recap of our last race of the season, in Bend, OR.