Sacramento, California: We spent yesterday with chores and errands, but enjoyed a great evening with Brother Steve and Gina, and Dave's nieces - all live in the Sacramento area.
The USA Track & Field Championships began today at Sacramento State University. The track circles the football field and is flanked on the straightaways by aluminum bleachers. The bleachers are not covered/shaded.
It was 107 degrees in Sacramento today.

As I have written so many times before, big national meets always have a bit of a "changing of the guard" feel. The top three finishers at this meet will represent the USA at the World Championships in London this August. This is a prestigious honor - a chance to win medals and a big fat paycheck. A few older athletes, knowing they have reached the end of their career, give it one last go. Many know it is most-likely their swan song. Their final encore. Some don't want to give up the ghost. Popular athletes want to hear the roar of the crowd one last time.
Track fans are knowledgeable. We are loyal and supportive of old favorites. The knowledgeable fans are also supportive of the young new-comers. We love a winner, but we also love a loser. We love the struggle. The fight. We understand the fight, so cheer as loudly for the champion as we do the straggler finishing a lap behind the champion. It is the true essence of Our Sport. One athlete - running, jumping or throwing - competing against others, but mostly competing within themselves.
Oh, I do go on...

Meet results can be found here, but here are a few background stories I found interesting:
Alysia Montano ran her 800m heat while five months pregnant with her second child. Montano wore a Wonder Woman bra-top as she was inspired to learn actress Gal Gadot had filmed the new Wonder Woman movie while five months pregnant. Mrs. Montano finished last in her heat. She finished with every fan on their feet, cheering loudly, for the admired athlete.

31-year-old miler, Gabriele Grunewald, has just finished a three-week chemotherapy session to fight a rare metastatic cancer. Her torso is covered with a scar from liver surgery. This is the fourth time Ms. Grunewald has fought cancer. She finished last in her heat, but first in the hearts of the fans.
Many (current or alumni) Duck sprinters, women and men, moved on to the semi-finals in their races. A few Duck alums, notably Andy Wheating (800m), Mac Fleet (1500m), and Galen Rupp (10000m) did not.
But there is one 33-year-old athlete still in the game: decathlete Trey Hardee. The Texas alum is hoping to compete in London and keep training for the Tokyo games. With the World's Greatest Athlete, Ashton Eaton, retired from the sport, the top step on the podium is open. After the first day (first half) of the decathlon, Mr. Hardee is in second place.

It was a great day of sport, with so many interesting back-stories, but the heat was completely draining - and I was sitting in the shady hospitality area provided USATF. The temperature is predicted to be ONLY 100° tomorrow, 97° Saturday, and 92° Sunday (the final day of the competition). I'll remember to bring a sweater.

Until my next update, I remain, your medium-rare correspondent.
You may also like:
Official meet results
Coverage from The Oregonian
Photos from the Sacramento Bee
RV Park: Cal-Expo RV Park - Why is it our campsites are so often at Native American casinos or fairgrounds? Cal-Expo is on the California State Fairgrounds and is constantly busy due to the various events scheduled at the fairgrounds. Always make a reservation! Campers have two choices - paved campsites in a tilted parking lot or flat campsites in a gravel lot. Big Rigs should always choose the gravel lot. (Our airbags can never get us level in the paved area.) 30/50 amp full-service, pull-through and back-in sites. Friendly staff. Laundry and bathhouse. No pool. No spa. On the American River with miles of bike/walking paths. Shops (a huge mall - NORDSTROM!), restaurants and grocers very close. We are paying $225 for the week.