RACE FOR HOPE –Saturday April 28^th, 2012

5k Walk/Run Benefit Widows and Orphans

Location: Beaverton, Oregon

ROLLING HILLS RUN 2012– Saturday April 28^th, 2012

10k Run-5k Run/Walk-1 Mile Kids’ Fun Run

Location: Heppner, Oregon-Morrow County Fairgrounds

CHERRY BLOSSOM FITNESS FESTIVAL DUATHLON– Sunday April 29^th, 2012

5k Run, 30k Bike

Location:  The Dalles, Oregon

RUNNING BUDDY 2012 –Thursday May 3^rd, 2012

5k Run –share your excitement for running as Running Buddy Volunteer.

Location: Gabriel Park Southwest Vermont and 45^th Avenue

MAMABABY HAITI RUN– Saturday May 5^th, 2012

5k Walk/Run, 10k Walk/Run, Kid’s 1 mile (under 12yrs)

Location: Heiser Farms on Grand Island – 21425 SE Grand Island Loop Dayton, Oregon

RUNNING FOR FAITH RACE– Saturday May 5^th, 2012

5k & 10k Run/Walk

Location: Banks-Vernonia Linear trail

ORRC HAGG LAKE RUN– Saturday May 5^th, 2012

10.4 mile Road race/Walk on scenic bike path

Location:  Henry Hagg Lake- Gaston, Oregon

BUTTE CHALLENGE –Saturday May12th, 2012

All road races 5k Run/Walk, 10k Run, Kid’s Butte Scoot (Race & Clinic) will be chip-timed

Location: Hermiston Butte Park Corner of NW 7th St & W. Fulton Ave

BLOOMIN FUN TRAIL RUN –Saturday May 12^th, 2012

5k & 10k Run

Location:  3718 W 13th The Dalles, OR

HIPPIE CHICK HALF & QUARTER MARATHON –Saturday May 12^th, 2012

½ marathon, ¼ marathon, Kids Dash (non-timed)

Location: Gordon Faber Recreational Complex

RUN GIRLFRIEND RUN –Sunday May 20^th, 2012

5k and 10k runs benefiting the American Heart Association and Scholarships for young women.

Location: Mt Hood Athletic Club 37095 Hwy 26 Sandy, OR

NEWPORT MARATHON –Saturday June 2^nd, 2012

Newport Marathon Run/Walk

Location: Yaquina Bay State Park Newport, OR

HELVETIA HALF & WIDMER 10K –Saturday June 9^th, 2012

10K-12^TH Annual Helvetia Half Marathon

Location: Hillsboro Stadium 4400 NW 229th Avenue Hillsboro, OR

THREE SISTERS MARATHON –Saturday June 9^th, 2012

Three Sisters Marathon Run & Walk and Relay, 5k Run/Walk

Location: Eagle Crest Resort Redmond, Oregon

MT. HOOD SCRAMBLE XVII –Sunday June 17^th, 2012

Roughly a 6-mile adventure!

Location: White River West Snow Park Mt. Hood, OR

RACE FOR ANIMALS –Saturday June 23^rd, 2012

5k/10k fundraising trail run/walk in Forest Park

Location: Forest Park, Portland, OR 97210.

MOUNTAIN DAYS MADNESS RUN –Saturday July 14^th, 2012

5k and 10k run- enjoy a scenic run with a few hills (10K only) ending on a nature trail.

Location: Mount Hood Athletic Club 37095 Hwy 26 Sandy, OR

DESCHUTES DASH WEEKEND SPORTS FESTIVAL –Saturday & Sunday July 14 & 15^th, 2012

Saturday –Olympic Distance Triathlon, Duathlon, Aquabike, and 10k run, COPAKid’s Splash ‘N Dash (ages 3-10)

Sunday—Spring Distance Triathlon, Duathlon, Aquabike, 5k run, Youth Triathlon

Location: Old Mill District Bend, OR

22^nd ANNUAL MANZANITA BEACH WALK/RUN –Saturday July 21^st, 2012

5k Walk/Run, 10k Run

Location: Manzanita Beach Laneda Ave. Manzanita, OR

46^TH ANNUAL SEASIDE BEACH RUN –Saturday July 21^st, 2012

5k Run/Walk and 10k Run, FREE Kid’s Sand Dash and Treasure Hunt

Location: Seaside Beach 12th Avenue and North Promenade Seaside, OR

TIMBERLINE MT. RUN – Sunday August 5^th, 2012

6 to 8 mile race

Location: Wy’East Day Lodge Timberline Lodge, Mt. Hood, Oregon

CRAWFISH CRAWL 2012 – Saturday August 11^th, 2012

5k road race through the paths of Tualatin City Park

Location: The Tualatin Commons 8515 SW Tualatin-Sherwood Road Tualatin, OR 97062 Tualatin, OR

XTERRA PORTLAND TRAIL RUN — Sunday August, 12^th, 2012

Portland Trail Run Off Road 22k & 10k

Location: Hagg Lake

HIGHWAY TO WELL HALF MARATHON — Saturday August 25^th, 2012

1 mile Walk/Run, 5k Walk/Run, 10k Run, Half Marathon

Location: Community Park 1200 SW 44th St Pendleton, OR

PORTLAND MARATHON 2012 –Sunday October 7^th, 2012

Marathon Race

Location: Portland, Oregon

Just in case you have missed my awe-inspiring real estate opinions, I’ve been on vacation! Yes…VACA…and for 3 weeks, no less! So, here are my experiences in a VERY “Reader’s Digest Condensed Version”. Enjoy…

Traveling is a great gift, especially the experiencing of different cultures! It brings a new revitalized appreciation of home, a feeling of just how small and inter-connected we all really are juxtaposed with a sense of wonder at how simultaneously unique and special are the differences!!

My recent opportunity to travel with my sister and brother-in-law in Australia and New Zealand was fantastic. The people in both countries have cultivated a ever-so-relaxed and un-rehearsed friendliness that welcomes and embraces visitors. I attempted to post as many photos on Facebook (www.facebook/janeesejackson plus I’ve included a gallery of photos at the end of my post) along the way as time and free and/or accessible Internet connection allowed! As with all my various travels, I tried to be grateful for the chance for this experience!

Our travels began in Sydney, Australia where a long-time fascination with the Iconic Sydney Opera House was rewarded. I’m not huge on organized tours, but took one of the Opera House and learned a lot about the planning and building (not to mention $$$) involved in such an over-whelming project. It was an impressive feat of engineering to say the very least (a “shout-out” to the patience and vision of the powers-that-were)!!!  We enjoyed views from the Sydney Tower.  And, the Sydney aquarium was another highlight, where you walked thru glass tunnels as the various sea creatures swam by you! Sharks, turtles and fish… Oh my!

Ferry from Manly Beach viewing Sydney Australia Opera House!

Views from Sydney Tower, Sydney Australia

Jellyfish @Sydney Australia Aquarium

Sydney was an exciting city but we left to head north to tropical Cairns (pronounced “Cans”), Port Douglas and the Great Barrier Reef! We signed on with a group called “Wave Lengths” for an outstanding day snorkeling at three different sites on the reef. We saw sharks, large turtles, Parrot fish, giant clams, a multitude of exciting and colorful fish and the living, breathing reef itself!!! We also took the sky rail tram, which lifted us up over the rainforest (with several scenic stops) to Kuranda Village. The rain forest foliage alone was worth the trip! We took the view-filled train ride back from Kuranda back to Cairns (not quite as awesome as depicted nor as inspiring as the sky rail, in my opinion). Fresh and delicious seafood dinners were a highlight in the small vacation town of Port Douglas!

Barron Falls, Rain Forest, Kuranda Australia

Next we flew south to the sub-tropical city of Brisbane (pronounced “Bris-Bun”). What a fun, cosmopolitan and beautiful city!!! I kept commenting that it reminded me of the “Portland of Australia” with it’s myriad of bridges crossing the river and various waterfront venues. Portland should mimic their man-made inner-city beach and “hop-on, hop-off” combo bus and water taxi system to navigate their fair city!

South Bank man-made beach, Brisbane, Australia

View of Brisbane, Australia from South Bank

We left Australia and flew next to Christchurch, New Zealand where my brother-in-law had been teaching at the University of Canterbury. The next couple of days were spent enjoying the city and lamenting the loss of life and commanding historic buildings to the whims of Mother Nature and her recent earthquakes!!

remains of church after earthquake, Christchurch, New Zealand

earthquake destroys historic bldg, downtown Christchurch, NZ

Road Trip!!! We rented a car and my brother-in-law bravely volunteered to drive (on the “wrong” side of the road, no less) as we headed north for Abel Tasman National Park through some gloriously beautiful countryside! We spent one day in the park with a group that took you a ways into the park via water taxi, rented kayaks and paddled out to Tonga Island to visit a seal colony. The seals would swim and frolic alongside your boat (and were reported to often jump on the boats). The second half of the day involved hiking from our lunch spot to Torrence Bay enjoying great vistas along the Tasman Sea. We stayed that night at a picturesque apple farm called Eden’s Edge that rented to travelers referred to as “backpacker” lodges (very European) …tho’ not fancy this one was very comfortable. It’s relatively inexpensive lodging and what a fabulous setting!

Eden's Edge near Abel Tasman Nat'l Park, New Zealand

After two nights at Eden’s Edge we continued north thru the cute town of Nelson where we stopped at the WOW Museum of Classic Cars and Wearable Art, strolled South St (the oldest, preserved street in New Zealand…of course they’re a pretty young country), visited the Nelson Cathedral and shopped for “All Blacks” rugby paraphernalia. This country is nuts over its rugby team and since at this writing they’ve progressed to the finals against France, the frenzy is palpable. We pushed onward to spend the night at the Tombstone Backpacker Lodge in the gritty seaport town of Picton (where we would catch the ferry to the north island the following morning). These backpackers lodges are communal living with shared kitchens and common areas, private and group rooms (with and without private baths..we opted for the “private” option). Some include a light breakfast (as this one did).

Ferry ride from south island to north island, New Zealand

more ferry views NZ

The weather decided to cooperate on our three-hour ferry ride from Picton on the south island to Wellington on the north island. The city of Wellington is infamous for it’s windy, less-than-perfect weather but you would not have guessed it on this Tuesday in October (remember its early Spring in this hemisphere)!! We disembarked the ferry to partly sunny skies, checked into our hotel and headed for the famous Te Papa Museum. This interesting and FREE museum celebrates the Maori ancestry and European colonization. We stayed near Cuba St, which I had just seen on some food network show touting the culinary choices and nightlife, so we enjoyed a great dinner!

Cuba St, Wellington, New Zealand

The next morning had us heading further north over a mountain range with a hang-onto-your-stomach winding road and through major wine country to Napier on the Eastern coast. The rolling farmland countryside was fluorescent green dotted with small villages, sheep and cows…very pretty! We stopped at the Temata Winery for a bit of wine tasting where we met two brothers also traveling together. We “adopted” our new found friends for a night of dinner, too much wine (for me) and karaoke in the art deco city of Napier! This very dapper little city was leveled by an earthquake in1931 and rebuilt in the art deco styling of the time.

wine country, north island New Zealand

art deco city of Napier, New Zealand

We left Napier towards Taupo and stopped for an excellent hike heavily touted in my sister’s “Lonely Planet” book. The hike was steep and I paid my penance for the night before’s revelry but was rewarded with stunning views overlooking the valley, Lake Taupo, the city of Taupo and the three volcanoes in the distance!

views of Lake Taupo, New Zealand

And, onward to Rotorua (New Zealand’s answer to our Yellowstone Park and “ol Faithful”) with thermal pools, bubbling mud and spewing steam! A surprising highlight was the very informative and interesting museum which chronicled the initial clash and eventual melding of the indigenous Maori people and the European settlers. I have to say that New Zealand appears to have succeeded at this union much better than we did with our American Indian counterparts!

Azalea bush, Rotorua, New Zealand

thermal pools, Rotorua, New Zealand

We by-passed Tuaranga, billed as the “Riviera of New Zealand” due to the oil spill off that coast and headed for the beginning of the Coromandel Peninsula and Waihi Beach. The coastline was a reminder of the Oregon Coast…rugged and beautiful!

Waihi Beach, New Zealand

Waihi Beach, New Zealand

My last day in NZ included the beautiful Karangahake Gorge and tramping a short track there, ending in Hamilton where my sister and brother-in-law reunited with friends that had lived in the US. I thought they were, perhaps a little too happy to put me on the transport to Auckland where I would catch my plane home the next morning! .

Karangahare Gorge, New Zealand

My extremely enjoyable visit to Australia and New Zealand was over, but I was definitely ready to go home. Three weeks was a long vacation for me. I need to get back to my routine, my work, my life, my family and friends. The extra bonus of getting a second chance at Spring did not go unappreciated (especially after our rather dismal excuse for a springtime in 2011 in the Pacific NW)! I also appreciate our cheap gas, electricity and abundant wireless access in the US!

I learned to like the game of rugby!  It’s fast and furious, few commercials and I was relieved to hear that the New Zealand “All Blacks” finally brought the World Cup trophy home again.  I learned about the HAKA (originally a Maori tribe ritual to instill fear and trepidation into their potential enemies..now a pre-game rugby ritual for the All Blacks).

two fellow "trackers" demonstrate the "HAKA"

I learned to appreciate how New Zealand has incorporated the Maori culture into their everyday lives.  The Maori museum in Rotorua was very informative!

I took away some impressions, such as the fierce independence of the Australians (they have a very large and rugged country) and the inclusive friendliness of the New Zealanders (they have a very small country). Somehow, there’s probably a correlation there!

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I know I’m totally “off-subject” (maybe that’s a relief???).  I’m always writing about real estate: Blah! Blah! Blah! But, there is something I want to share!  When I’m not obsessing about real estate, one of my core values is health & fitness!  I’ve always embraced some physical fitness obsession since I was in high school.  I had a teenage crush on Phil “Fang” Volk of Paul Revere and the Raiders and he was the first person I ever heard discuss a passion for fitness!  I was a “southern girl” languishing in the shade with a lemonade and fan, when first I developed my fascination for athletics!  And, so I biked, swam, danced, played tennis, down-hill skied, skate skied, added aerobics and weights, attempted to speed skate (till I broke my elbow) performed with a dance troupe and taught dance.  There was always a passion coupled with discipline!  Yet, somehow I never caught Fang’s eye????  But, I digress…

As one ages (hrummmmppppfffff!), one must try harder to keep a modicum of fitness (and stay in the same size clothes).  The laws of physics prevail and body parts you didn’t even know you had begin to sag (is that TMI???).  I am always looking for new, creative and effective ways to continue to enjoy and simultaneously be challenged by my daily work-outs.  I also need “bang for my buck” because my work schedule can be daunting.

Recently, in another of my regular work-outs at “24-Hour Fitness” a fellow devotee asked if I’d ever been a dancer.  I answered “yes, but in another life” (which is often how it feels).  She recommended the “Bar Method” in the Pearl District (located at NW 9th & Hoyt), as it combined some Pilates techniques with ballet barre.  Sounds like a reasonable combo, does it not?  So, I decided to give it a try.

WOW!

First, in the spirit of full disclosure, this is not an inexpensive work-out alternative and there’s definitely no magic pill!! This is a full commitment, tough work-out that combines building physical strength and flexibility with mental endurance and discipline!  The instructors are knowledgeable, assertive, consistent and relentless in their constant correction and attention.  This lessens the chance that you and your body learn ways to “manipulate” the system and find short-cuts to get through the exercises.  I have always appreciated classroom exercise experiences as I would never do to myself what I can accomplish with the power of “peer pressure”!!!  Often I feel I cannot complete the exercise, but continue out of pure competition and stubbornness.  I’ve been doing these “Bar Method” class since May and I’m definitely a convert.  I have already enjoyed subtle changes and increased definition in my body.  It may not be the “Fountain of Youth” but it’s a sip of the nectar of a time gone by…..

Remember:  consistency of the effort often overrides the magnitude of the effort!!!

“On the Rogue again…just can’t wait to get on the Rogue again”.  (Forgive me Willy).  So, I’ll be taking off tomorrow to raft the  Rogue River  in Southern Oregon for a well-deserved and way-too-short vacation.  However, I’m grateful for whatever time I can spend with friends on a river!  This is our annual “Girls Getaway” and we have been doing some version of this trip since around 1984!!  Its “girl-time”, camaraderie, laughs, peace and quiet, great food and drink.  We raft and camp along the Rogue River in Southern Oregon and most of it is classified “wild and scenic” and is protected wilderness.  I have done many raft trips in my time down the Deschutes River, Lower Klamath, Middle and Main Forks of the Salmon and the “grandmother” of all river trips, the Colorado River!  I do love the Rogue because of it’s accessibility, beauty and challenging, fun rapids.  The river allows for actually “getting away”!  No phones, no faxes, no e-mails (what???!!!)……so, it allows for a true rejuvenation of the mind, body, spirit!  This will be a short trip but effective, none-the-less!  Back soon…..

So, I had a terrific opportunity to share a road trip to Vancouver and Victoria BC and other than enjoying some well-deserved “R n R”, I was fascinated by the similarities between Vancouver, British Columbia Canada and Portland, Oregon USA! We seemed to be “sisters by a different mother”. There are some obvious comparisons, our weather patterns are comparable (enjoyed sunny and gorgeous weather all weekend) and the people open, friendly and welcoming (not unlike my local experiences). They enjoy a bit more water exposure but we don’t usually have their winds. Their city was very clean, extremely bike and pedestrian-friendly much like Portland. Vancouver is also a “foodie’s delight” and share’s Portland’s reputation for excellent and diverse dining experiences (I had some incredibly delectable and FRESH fish while there). I see where our downtown neighborhoods such as the Pearl and the South Waterfront received their inspiration, as the Vancouver skyline is speckled with high-rise condos and cranes and much construction is still underway. I couldn’t help but inquire of the locals as to the “state of their real estate market”.  It seems, both from personal inquiries and watching the news reports, that Vancouver BC has not seen a dramatic downturn nor has suffered the USA-type real estate bubble.  They are “so close and yet so far away”.  I’m fascinated by why the downturn in the real estate markets did not affect them?  Are they more “business friendly” and allow for new business influx and, thus, more jobs?  Did the Canadian financial markets not have the ominous “behind the scenes” misrepresentation in the system of buying and selling packages of Mortgage-Backed-Securities that so deeply affected our secondary mortgage markets?                                                                                        

Vancouver BC Skyline

Vancouver Art Gallery

So, my only disappointment was the well-touted Capilano Suspension Bridge on the way to the Grouse Mt ski resort in North Vancouver. I usually don’t participate in the “touristy traps” unless they have incredible historical significance, but I just couldn’t ignore all the hype about this bridge. In my world, it was a glorified ride at “Disneyland” and would’ve been exciting with young children (the swaying bridge, the tree houses, etc). But, I could’ve spent the $30 bucks more wisely.

                   “It’s a Beautiful Morning”:  The Rascals

In my continuing attempt to explore Portland metro area parks, I decided to try the downtown urban core area (and, yes, there are quite a few parks). It doesn’t get much more “spring-like” than the Portland Farmer’s Market in the south Park blocks adjacent to Portland State University.

Opening Day at Portland Farmer's Market

The market is great for fresh, local produce and a myriad of other “foodie delights” plus some world-class “people watching”.       

Fresh flowers at Portland Farmer's Market

So, I didn’t stop there.  I decided to visit several of the “urban parks” (of course, not including our incredible Forest Park in Northwest Portland or Kelley Park in NoPo or Hoyt Arboretum  which I’ve visited prior).  My focus today was Portland’s version of “inner-city” parks within the core downtown area.  We have many more in the close-in eastside (don’t worry, I’ll get there) and NW and SW Portland (I’ll be there too)!!

A little bit of sunshine brings out the “children in all of us”.   It’s not quite hot enough yet for the cascading waterfalls that usually dress Jamison Square in the Pearl District, but just warm enough to start bringing the children, dogs and families to enjoy the sunshine! 

Jamison Square Park in the Pearl

And, then there’s the “Contemplative Park” or Tanner Springs Park also in the Pearl District.  No dogs allowed as it is a “wetlands wonderland”.  Many children also enjoy this park, plus readers, sun worshipers and strollers.

I can’t forget the North Park Blocks as they offer a great entrance to Portland’s Chinatown plus basketball, bocci ball, a children’s playground and more!

North Park Blocks Playground

 There are many lesser know parks such as the peaceful park across from the Portlandia Building with our elegant and powerful statue of Portlandia .                                        

Entrance to the North Park Blocks

Portlandia

Kelley Point Park

So many Portland Parks, so little time!  I’m continuing my ”vacation in my own backyard” by exploring the many parks in the greater Portland metro area.  Kelley Point Park is located in the St Johns neighborhood of NoPo (North Portland, for those not familiar with real estate jargon).  St Johns was busy re-inventing itself during the real estate boom times and was fast become the destination for those looking for the “next big thing in real estate” due to it’s affordability.  Kelley Point Park, at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers, offers a 40-mile loop of walking, running and/or biking trails but is not all that great a work-out due to the flat terrain (unless you run or bike).  It also offers small beaches down by the water’s edge.  The area is somewhat industrial mixed with across the water views of Sauvie Island, Forest Park and even Mt Hood!  You can watch the big ships come in and out of the Port of Portland.   It is mostly deciduous Cottonwood trees, so I’m sure it will be much more lush and green in the Springtime. 

Trails at Kelley Point Park

However, the driftwood made for interesting art….. 

Cherry blossoms in bloom along the westbank of the Willamette River!

It definitely doesn’t rain ALL the time in Portland Oregon.  As a matter of fact, we often enjoy these unexpected explosions of early Springtime.  If we weren’t true Oregonians, we’d be packing away our sweater and galoshes and pulling out the flip-flops and shorts.  But, we know this is just a welcome “tease”.  As I was “tooling along on my townie”, I noted that I am constantly amazed at the beauty, the cleanliness and the diversity of Portland!  I enjoy seeing that “Spring had Sprung”, then bike over one of the ten outstanding bridges in downtown to the eastbank of the Willamette River and check out rowing lessons.  

Rowing lessons offered on the eastbank of the river!

A little further down the eastbank is the OMSI (Oregon Museum of Science and Industry) with the ever-changing array of exhibits and the IMAX theatre. More info at OMSI .

Oregon Museum of Science and Industry

 Then back across the Hawthorne Bridge to head down to the South Waterfront and check out the new construction there.  Despite a challenged real estate market, they continue with the development.  The park is almost finished and will add an inviting element for the enclave.  The tram to OHSU still a relative new addition to the Portland skyline.  Tram info (including schedule): OHSU Tram

The tram on it's way up "Pill Hill" to OHSU

 Biking back to downtown with what seemed like the entire population of the Portland metro area all enjoying the sunshine and warmth, you would occasionally see what “keeps Portland weird”.  

Bagpiper on unicycle Strolling musician!

 And, finally a bite to eat at the Saturday Market.  Today market the “Grand Opening” of the 37th annual Portland Saturday Market!  See Saturday Market .

Tie-dye and flambuoyance at the Portland Saturday Market!

And, a possible Jimi Hendrix sighting???   

Jimi, is that you???

One of my favorite Jimi Hendrix tunes:  “All Along the Watchtower”