Track Town, USA: I must confess - the past few days have been very relaxing. Maybe too relaxing. DT and I have actually conducted conversations with sentences including adverbs and words with more than three syllables. Occasionally, we have spoken about subjects that do not include track, field or the Olympic Trials. We may have even listened to NPR and read a newspaper.
This afternoon, we loaded-up our Honda CRV for a week (or more) of vacation and drove two hours south to Track Town and our beautiful motorhome. Tomorrow morning, the Magna Peregrinus will enjoy her annual servicing and then we will continue over to the beach for a little (much deserved by DT) holiday.
DT wanted to have look at how things were progressing on the "tear-down" of the 2012 Olympic Trials.
It may seem difficult to believe that a week ago... this:
... is now this:
Crews have been working around the clock to tear-down the infrastructure that held the greatest track & field trials EVER (I am talking to you, Sacramento!).The Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria have set sail.
Not only is the fan festival completely dismantled, the University of Oregon is hosting a huge lacrosse camp on these fields tomorrow. Who says America has lost her edge in the work force?
DT and I also went under the west grandstands at Historic Hayward Field. This is the area where athletes work-out on a rare rainy Oregon day. Hallowed Ground.
Bill Bowerman
I wonder what the Big Guy would think of all this activity at his track?
One last photo from last week at the Olympic Trials:
Me, Leo, Donelle & Lisa
One of my Mom's best friends works for the University of Oregon. In her "spare time" Donelle also administers several orphanages in Mazatlan, Mexico and divides her time between Oregon and Mazatlan. (My parents volunteered for years at one of the orphanages in Mazatlan.) My Mom, who passed away in February 2010, would threaten me with a wooden spoon if I didn't take Leo by Donelle's office at the U, so we did - and we all cried knowing how happy my Mom would be to see Little Leo in Donelle's arms.
Bittersweet Moment last week in Track Town.
Before six o'clock, we were done for the day and starving. We went to dinner at a little Italian place right near the Oregon Track Club office, Osteria Sfizio and had a great meal at the bar.
It was nearly 90° in Eugene, Oregon today, so a Negroni was perfect! Equal parts gin, Campari and sweet vermouth - with an orange rind garnish - this little herbal quencher was just what I needed to set me straight after a long hot day. I usually serve this cocktail over ice in an old fashioned glass, but it was perfect served in a martini glass tonight.
And though we are heading over to the Oregon Coast this week, I couldn't help but order just-caught Oregon salmon, served with spinach, basil leaves, asparagus, tomatoes, olives and fava beans.An early dinner makes for an early night. Our RV has to be at Cummins Northwest by 8 o'clock Tuesday morning.
Until my next update, I remain, your turning-in-early correspondent.
PS: The RV Goddess July newsletter went out last weekend. If you would like to receive this once-a-month email, click on the link below my wrinkled face to the left to sign-up.
Another PS: Get ready for some contesting this week!