Handbell concert

Wanna hear some handbell music?? You're in luck! My Newberg Friends handbell choir is part of a concert this Sunday.

We'll join the George Fox University and First United Methodist choirs, along with a harpist (yay, Stephanie!) and the Newberg Community Band. We'll each play our own music, then we'll come together for two joint pieces. Should be fun!

The concert is at 4 p.m. at Chehalem Valley Middle School. There's no admission cost, but they will take a free-will offering for Newberg Habitat for Humanity if you're interested in donating.

See you there! :)

Super Sweaty Saturday

Brad and I both did doubles Saturday - long runs and a kickboxing class. Maybe not the smartest idea but lots of fun :)

It was long-run day, which meant 10+ for my marathon-training hubby and 6+ for my half-marathon-training self. The air was still chilly in the shade when I left the house shortly after 9 a.m. But before 2 miles, it was plenty warm enough to ditch the long-sleeved over shirt.

Because of a Garmin-pausing incident, I ended up running long - 7.25 in all. And I nailed my 9:30 average goal. That pace took a tiny bit more effort than I expected, but no biggie. 

Brad was home and cleaning up when I finished. He said he nailed his training run, too! Soaking from my sunny run, I also jumped in the shower for a quick clean and change before heading to Fierce for a technique class:

The very first thing we did was shuffle the width of the room - over and over and over again. Then, we did a series of kick/leg drills that involved holding one leg in kick position and hopping the width of the room - over and over and over again. MAN! That was really hard on tired legs. Talk about a brick workout!

We had a great time and learned some good tips to work on in class - including hand and foot positions. Plus we got another sweaty workout.

Group pictures after class:

A very fun way to spend out Saturday :)

Adventure Thursday: Trail Running Tryon

Because it's super close and we can't think of anything more exciting, we hit up Tryon Creek State Park yet again for Adventure Thursday. This week, schedules allowed Mom to join us.

We did about 3 miles in an hour, some running, some walking. Dad got all jazzed and ran a whole bunch of it - including a couple UP hills and flats. He usually just runs the downs because of his ouchy back. He was practically giddy when we finished:

Mom's battling a shoulder injury which results in little sleep and lots of fatigue. Still, she motored up and down the hilly route, not too far behind Speedy Dad.

Happy feet all the way around:

What should we do next week - after Daylight Saving Time???

:)

Frosty start

I'm trying to get back on the bike wagon. I love to ride Sherm to school, but after-work obligations often force me to drive instead. I'm making an effort to ride more - most days, in fact. Grouping appointments helps, as does getting all my gear out the night before.

It was chilly this morning - but not a cloud in the sky!

Frosty grass:

 So bright!

I need to start all my mornings like this :)

Ice cream toast to Grandma

Friday was hiking with Dad, dinner at the Pelican Pub and a rousing game of May I (I think I won - or at least didn't come in last!) at the grandparents' house in Oceanside.

Saturday, the fam spent the morning planning our summer baseball trip to Florida and Georgia - Marlins, Rays and Braves, here we come!

Then we all hit the Bayocean spit for some sweating. I started with Eryn, then did a couple faster, solo miles before catching up to her so we could finish together. Just over 6 trail miles for me. The weather was amazing, and tank tops were totally called for.

Happy feet:

We refueled with Tillamook Subway and discovered a Taco del Mar is going in next door. I love their fish tacos!

Then we had to stop at the Tillamook Cheese Factory for some kiddy cones.

An ice cream toast to Grandma, who loved, loved, loved chocolate. She died one year ago this weekend.

A nice getaway with the family :)

Adventure Thursday - Wilson River Trail

A series of events led my family (minus Brad, who was busy with his own adventure) to take a quick beach trip this weekend.

Dad and I postponed Adventure Thursday until Friday and hiked about 4.5 miles on the Wilson River Trail on the way to the family house in Oceanside.

We planned to park at the Jones Creek Day-Use Area, but signs warned that the gate was locked at sunset. We didn't think we'd be out that late, but just in case something slowed us, or we decided to hike farther, we didn't want to be stuck. So we parked in the ungated Smith Homestead Day Use Area, just up the road.

We thought it would be rainy, but the weather ended up being perfect. Sprinkles fell for just a brief couple minutes, but we stayed dry.

The Tillamook Forest Center:

 

At the turn-around point... and apparently taking a little snooze:

Wilson Falls:

Getting a selfie with the tall falls was a bit tricky:

The falls runs right over the trail before heading down to the river:

On the return trip we spotted a heron land in a tree. Can you spot him - right in the middle of the photo:

A beautiful, tiny waterfall:

Made it back safe and sound - and all the car windows were intact!

I explored around the Smith Homestead for a few minutes. It's a gorgeous, historical spot. I can't believe I've never been before.

The section of trail we hiked is very flat and easy. There was a little elevation gain to reach the falls, but nothing difficult. And since it's been so dry all winter, the path was in good shape, only muddy in a couple spots.

While we were hiking, Mom and Eryn were finishing up at work and driving to meet us in Tillamook. We met up at the Pelican Pub, where I refueled with a veggie sandwich and beer cheese soup, split with Eryn:

The sandwich and fries were excellent, but the soup was just OK. It was really heavy on the beer, and I just don't love that flavor. I didn't dislike it but would not order it again.

I love hiking with my dad :)

Happy March!

:)