A Quiet Ride in the Woods

Considering the reputation that Portland has as an outdoor sports mecca, there really isn't much mountain biking close to town.  This spot is about 30 minutes from downtown and is one of my favorites.  Unfortunately its existence is somewhat tenuous as it is on private property, but for now the trails are open to enjoy.

The video wasn't really intended to be anything special, I was just goofing around on a nice day.  It was shot with an Oregon Scientific underwater camera and a pocket tripod. For best results, use the controls at the bottom of the frame and watch in HD on full screen mode.

Porsche Aircraft Experience

Did this today as a guest of Sunset Porsche Audi.  Connie and I both drove a Porsche Panamera and a Cayenne.  We also both took track rides with instructors in a Cayman and a Carrera 4S.  They had some small jets and planes to look at, but for for us the main attraction was definitely the cars.

I've got to say that Sunset Audi has treated us well.  In addition to this event, last year they hosted a track day at Portland International Raceway, giving in-car instruction at speed on the track.  Generally, my experience with  auto dealerships hasn't been great, but Sunset Audi has been a pleasant surprise.

Planning for the Moving Pod

We are planning on using the PODS moving system.  They'll deliver a 16ft x 8ft x 8ft container to our door, we'll spend a day loading it, and they'll pick it up the next day.  The POD will be shipped to Florida and put in storage until we're ready to retrieve it.

The problem is, we weren't sure if the POD would be large enough for all of our belongings.  So here's what we did.  We measured every piece of furniture, and planned boxes for all of the other goods.  Then we used Google Sketch-up to produce a model of the POD and everything that needed to fit into it.

Will it all fit?

Looks like it might, as long as there are no surprises.

Portland's Alpenrose Velodrome

There is racing here all Summer, nearly every day of the week.

Banks Vernonia Linear Trail

This trail was the first "rails to trails" in Oregon.   The railroad was originally built in the 1920's to service the lumber mill in Vernonia.  The mill closed in 1957, but the line wasn't abandoned until the 1960's.  After that, the state began purchasing right-of-way and trail building began in 1991.  The trail is presently 21 miles each way.

Most of the trail looks like this:

An old Farmall along the way.

An old trestle a few miles from Buxton.

At the Vernonia end of the trail, there is a little lake once used by the mill.  We also found a cafe in town for a mid-ride break.  Wow, nothing says Summer quite like fresh strawberry shortcake. 

Vernonia Lake

Next to the lake was this building, apparently it was used to store fuel for the mill.  Looks plain enough on the outside. 

A real gem inside.  

Not your average graffiti.

Here is another site that is definitely not in the brochure.

What could go wrong here?

That's all for now.