Silver Falls State Park, Oregon - 50K Trail Race

I ran my first 50K trail race at Silver Falls State Park this past weekend.  I had planned to do this race last year, but a last minute ankle injury dashed those hopes, forcing me to watch the race from the sidelines.  Fortunately, this year's training was more successful, and I headed up to Portland on Thursday night to meet up with Keith and Melissa.  We left Portland on Friday afternoon for the hour and a half drive to Silver Falls.  Everything seemed vividly familiar from last year's trip; it was hard to believe that an entire year passed.  The only thing different was the pre-race jitters that I didn't get to experience last year.  We stayed in an Upper Smith Creek cabin this year and found it to be a much nicer than the lower cabin we had last year, despite the fact that the showers were in a nearby building.  The cabin was very cozy and spacious, and part of me wished I didn't have to race the next morning so that I could relax and enjoy the beautiful surroundings.

Upper Smith Creek cabin 7

After getting settled at the cabin, we headed over to the packet pickup area to collect our race items.  It was quick and efficient, but we were disappointed that there wasn't a roaring fire or an unattended beer tap like last year.  We decided to head back to the cabin and make our own fire in one of the nearby fire rings.  The wet conditions and damp wood made starting a fire a bit of challenge, but Keith always manages to get one going.  We sat around the fire for a few hours, surrounded by beautiful old growth forest, enjoying the quiet with some good pre-race beers.  Then it was off to bed for some sleep before the big race on Saturday.

Keith ran the full marathon at 8am, and I ran the 50K which started 30 minutes earlier.  We headed over to the start line around 7am in total darkness.  I  hadn't anticipated it being so dark, and some runners were wearing headlamps at the start line.  I stood around the starting line, being overly anxious, noting that almost everyone had warmer clothes and trail packs.  I decided to wear shorts and a long sleeve shirt, a running hat, and gloves.  I am a warm exerciser, even in cold conditions, so I didn't want to be overdressed.  I also hate wearing hydration packs, so I was hoping the aid stations every 6 or so miles would we sufficient.  In the end, my choices were perfect, and I was glad I didn't have excess clothing or a pack.

At the start line for the 50K

Keith at the start line for the marathon

At 7am, I was off for a 31 mile run through the beautiful forests of Silver Falls State Park.  The first few miles looped us through the campground and then back past the starting line, so there were quite a few people out and about.  After that, we headed into the backcountry, and we were on our own in the quiet forests of Silver Falls State Park.  The rain began to fall about an hour into the race, and it continued for the rest of the day.  It wasn't a downpour, but it was a continuous light rain that made the muddy trails even muddier and full of puddles.  Staying dry wasn't an option.  The scenery was absolutely beautiful, and as the runners began to  spread out, it became more and more peaceful.  I attempted to keep up with a leading pack of runners, but everyone turned out to be much better downhill runners than me.  I didn't have the confidence or experience to run down slippery, wet hills at full speed.  Eventually I fell back a bit, frequently passing people on the uphills, only to be re-passed on the way down.  It was a little frustrating, but I didn't want to risk a fall after finally making it past the starting line.  Around mile 12, we ran through a very cold, shin deep river.  The ups and downs continued until around mile 20, when the course took us down into the canyon containing the many famous waterfalls of Silver Falls State Park.

Entering the canyon

One of the many beautiful waterfalls of Silver Falls State Park

Behind North Falls

On the climb out of the canyon

I was beginning to feel fatigued before entering the canyon, but the incredible scenery and beautiful waterfalls really brightened my mood.  The trail takes you behind some of the largest waterfalls, offering a unique way to view the cascading water.  The 5 miles inside the canyon really flew by, and it wasn't long before I was faced with the steep climb out of the canyon behind South Falls.  At this point in the race, you are very close to the finish line.  You can hear the cheering and the music, but you take a sharp turn away from the finish to do a  loop above the canyon.  As you head back towards the finish line, the course takes you on another detour, a painfully steep hill with a sign at the bottom proclaiming it to be "nutcracker hill".  After nearly 31 miles, the name was accurate.  Finally, a steep, muddy, extremely slippery descent takes you to the finish line.  I finished with a time of 5:15, right were I had estimated, and 25th place overall.  I was pretty happy with the results for my first 50K trail race, especially in wet, slippery conditions that I'm not used to.  The rest of the afternoon consisted of beer, celebration, and warm fireplaces.

Keith after his marathon

Keeping warm at the finish line

Melissa and Jane ran the half marathon on Sunday.  The weather was much nicer, with blue skies and lots of sunshine.  While both of them ran, Keith and I wandered around the waterfalls and cheered them on at various points during the race.

Melissa and Jane ready for their half marathon

Jane running through an aid station

South Falls

Keith at Middle Falls

Melissa running the half marathon

Everyone has great races at Silver Falls this year.  A big thanks to Keith, Melissa, and Jane for making it such a fun weekend!  The Silver Falls Trail Runs are wonderfully organized and incredibly scenic.  It is a top-notch event, and there is good reason why it sells out so quickly each year.  I am so thankful that I was able to participate this year!

Celebrating our great races

Ouray, Colorado - Hiking

After leaving Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park on Thursday morning, we made the drive south through the towns of Montrose and Ridgway on the way to Ouray.  I've enjoyed blog postings on boxcanyonblog.blogspot.com about the town of Ouray and the beautiful surroundings, and it seemed liked the perfect destination to end our Colorado trip and enjoy an epic 4th of July celebration.

Ouray, Colorado

We arrived before our room was ready at the Hot Springs Inn, so we decided to check out two waterfalls in close proximity to the town.  The short hike into Box Canyon Waterfall was incredible - the thunderous roar of the partially hidden waterfall shook the entire canyon.  A trail leading across the "high bridge" over Box Canyon provides spectacular views and a case of vertigo for anyone uneasy with heights.  The hike to Cascade Falls, visible from Main Street, was also quick and provided access to the base of the falls.

Box Canyon Waterfall

View from the bridge over Box Canyon

Cascade Falls

We planned Friday to be our hiking day and we were overwhelmed with the choices available in the Ouray area.  Mt. Sneffels, a famous 14er near Ouray, seemed particularly awesome, but we figured it was too early in the season and we weren't equipped with good snow climbing gear.  Roger picked the hike to Ice Lake and we headed south on Friday morning to the trailhead near South Mineral Campground between Ouray and Silverton.  We were greeted with low clouds and rain as we began the hike, but no lightning to turn us back.  The trail emerged from the pine forest into a grassy meadow filled with flowers, waterfalls, and patches of snow.

Rainy hike to Ice Lake

Waterfalls in every direction on the way to Ice Lake

Columbines on the way to Ice Lake

As we reached Ice Lake, just under 4 miles from the trailhead, the skies began to clear.  The scenery was quintessential Colorado - absolutely spectacular.  We spent quite a bit of time at the lake enjoying the sunshine and the spectacular views before heading back down the trail.  Along the way, we were passed by a parade a backpackers heading up to the lake.  I imagine it was quite a crowd up at Ice Lake for the 4th of July weekend, and the campgrounds around the trailhead were overflowing when we returned.

Approaching Ice Lake

Approaching Ice Lake

We made it to Ice Lake

Ice Lake - full of ice

Views around Ice Lake

River crossing on the Ice Lake Trail

We had a good dinner at one of the livelier places on Main Street, the Ouray Brewery, and I was particularly excited about the quart sized beer cans available for purchase - the perfect size for post-adventure refreshment.  Wholesome Roger is not interested in beer, but he could not resist the sweet temptations of Mouse's Chocolates across the street!

Hiking reward

The 4th of July is a big deal in Ouray, like Christmas Day in Whoville.  The day started with a fundraising pancake breakfast and the Ourayce 10K, followed by a parade and water fights in the street, music in the park, and a great fireworks display to finish off the evening.  It was a fun way to celebrate the 4th of July and a fantastic finish to our trip through Colorado.

Finishing the Ourayce 10K

Happy Birthday America and Roger!

Ouray 4th of July parade

Ouray 4th of July parade

Ouray water fights

Ouray water fights

Ouray water fights

Costa Rica - Sightseeing

Everything works out in Costa Rica. At least it seems that way after a fantastic week in paradise with good friends and great adventures.


Costa Rica sunset - near La Fortuna

My friend Josh travels to Costa Rica each year to surf and relax, and this year he invited me to join him. I'm not a surfer, but I'm definitely a big fan of sunshine and warmth. Especially in January! Josh arrived a few days before me so that gave him a chance to get some surfing in before I joined him. In typical Josh fashion, my instructions for meeting up with him were vague and lacking much detail or backup plans. I stressed about this on my flight to San Jose, Costa Rica. I really wanted to meet up with him, but I wasn't holding my breath. Something about Charley's place in Alajuela when I arrived, and a van to Montezuma. I wondered who Charley was and whether a van would actually appear the next morning.

I made it to Charley's Place around midnight - an acceptable and basic hostel not far from the airport. It's always disorienting arriving in a foreign country, especially at night. I had to ring the doorbell to get let in to the hostel, but apparently I was expected. I got a few hours of sleep and woke up just before 6am, hoping a van would appear. It did - right at 6am! It always seems like the United States is one of the few places on the planet where schedules actually mean anything, so I was a bit surprised at the timely van. I was glad Josh had done such a good job arranging things for me ... no more stress...

The trip to Montezuma involved taking a ferry from Puntarenas to Paquera on the Nicoya Peninsula where another van was supposed to be waiting to complete the trip to Montezuma. A ferry strike put an end to this plan, but between my weak Spanish skills and a helpful fellow traveler, I figured out I was supposed to take another ferry to Playa Naranjo and hope for a van to Montezuma. A big delay and a side trip through more of Costa Rica than I had planned .. I was hoping Josh didn't think I got lost.

I met an awesome guy on the ferry who packed up his stuff in Israel and headed to Costa Rica with no plan, except to live and surf there. We talked about the violence in his country and the peaceful beauty of Costa Rica, his fear of moving halfway around the world alone, and how easy it is to get sucked into a life without adventure. He was as passionate about the ocean as I am about the desert.

There was actually a van waiting for me in Playa Naranjo, and eventually I made it to Montezuma on a very rough road a few hours later than planned. I was relieved to see how small the town was - it would make finding Josh easier. Within seconds of hopping off the van, I heard a familiar voice calling my name. Josh had been waiting at the local bar, on the lookout for the van. He introduced me to his new friend, Sherry from Maine, who had surfed with him earlier in the week at Mal Pais. After two days of traveling I was excited to actually start enjoying Costa Rica.

We spent the rest of the day hiking to the Montezuma Waterfalls, walking on the beach, and later enjoying beers on the beach while looking at the stars.


Montezuma Beach

Me on Montezuma Beach

Montezuma Waterfall

Montezuma Beach

Montezuma Beach

I really enjoyed our time in Montezuma. In addition to Josh and Sherry, a guy named Patrick joined us as well. He was also surfing with Josh in Mal Pais and was spending the next few weeks in Costa Rica. Sherry and Patrick were a ton of fun - it was nice to have a group of people to adventure with. We spent time swimming in the waterfalls, walking on the beach, and enjoying the lively atmosphere of Montezuma.


Sunrise in Montezuma

A monkey!

On our last full day in Montezuma, we hitched a ride in the back of a truck to the tiny town of Cabuya at the end of the Nicoya Peninsula. We became friends with some interesting characters at the Howler Monkey Inn, scored some snorkeling gear, and swam out to Cemetery Island through some strangely hot ocean water. I really hate swimming in the ocean (creepy things live in it!) so this felt like a major accomplishment for me to swim to an island. We didn't want to spend lots of money on a snorkeling tour and we couldn't find any gear in Montezuma .. but everything worked out in the end!


Hitching a ride to Cabuya

Sherry

Having a beer with Patrick at bar near Cabuya

Tim loves colones and cocktails

Sherry, Josh, pocket Nicaraguan, me, Patrick

Josh and I parted ways with Patrick in Montezuma and headed to a town called La Fortuna, near the famous Arenal Volcano. A day later we were joined by Sherry at our swanky backpacker hostel. The town was much more hectic and touristy than Montezuma, but the views of the volcano were amazing!


La Fortuna and Volcan Arenal

Josh and I spent one day hiking to Cerro Chato, and extinct volcanic crater filled with water. The hike was intense, mostly due to the heat and humidity. Everything dripped with water in the rain forest and the flowers looked like something out of a botanical garden.


Hiking to Cerro Chato

Beautiful flowers

Rain forest

Hiking to Cerro Chato

Cerro Chato

Sherry and Josh really enjoyed playing on a rope swing at a local swimming hole. I was content to watch.


Sherry on the rope swing

Josh and Sherry at the swimming hole near La Fortuna

We spent another day visiting Arenal Volcano and were fortunate enough to have some clear weather for some incredible views of the peak. The volcano shot off a few minor eruptions during the day and we even saw a bit of lava after dark. We spent the evening soaking in the volcanic-heated waters of Baldi Hot Springs. The place was over the top. Unbelievable! I am a huge fan of hot springs .. this place was heaven with dozens of hot spring pools of varying temperatures, giant hot spring waterfalls, and even a scorching hot pool at 150 degrees! I could have stayed there forever!


Arenal Volcano giving us a show

Arenal Volcano

Arenal Volcano

Baldi Hot Springs

Josh, Sherry, and I spent our last day in La Fortuna doing some bird watching. The birds and other wildlife were cool, but the best part was our guide. He spends his life saving as much wilderness as possible, planting rare trees, and sharing his knowledge of plants an animals with anyone who joins him. A true environmental hero, and one of the many people working to preserve and promote the natural paradise that is Costa Rica.


Preserved area near La Fortuna

Bird!

A little bird watching to end our trip

Thank you Josh for sharing Costa Rica with me, and thank you Sherry and Patrick for sharing the fun. This was the type of trip that refocuses my priorities and keeps me craving new adventures.