This blog itself was born in the wee hours of the night following Superbowl XLIII while anxiously anticipating the late arrival of baby River into the world. But my biological clock shifted gears when I turned 40 over the summer. Suddenly, I can hardly keep my eyes open past midnight and awaken promptly at the crack of dawn.Even after hosting a late-night holiday party last weekend, I rose early with the sun - a tad hungover and wishing to fall back into the abyss of sleep. Then River woke up, too. Lately all he talks about is 'ball-ball' (football) and 'choo-choo' (trains). This morning was no different. Looking outside, a warm tropical front had blown in a brief respite from weeks of rain & cold. A perfect opportunity for a long ride. So, I packed River on the back of the bike and headed out on a ball-ball & choo-choo adventure.
With our Hawaiian vacation right around the corner, we rode a tailwind out to the airport to watch planes take off. Then caught light rail trains across town to the Springwater Corridor bike path.
Along our return, we happened upon the Holiday Express steam train gearing up at Oaks Park.
News to me, the Oregon Rail Historic Foundation operates annual holiday rides on this relic from a century past. All aboard!
Children of every age entered the passenger cars as River & I were blown away by full-blast horns and high-pressure steam spraying from the mammoth engine. The train chugged away slowly down the tracks and then raced us along the Willamette River.
Our big bike adventure ended at the Hedge House to watch the Steelers eeek out another tight win. River's 1-year-old passion for football is adored by the Pittsburgh fans who congregate here religiously every Sunday during the season.
At the crack of dawn on this last day of Autumn, I woke to a choir of tropical birds. Soon joined by River with his usual request for ball-ball, then Lilly, then Bunny. The family relived the whole Super Bowl XLIII experience on DVD (a special Christmas gift request for Bubby :~) remembering River's last days in utero.
Happy Holydays!
