@seansharp

Posts from the “fall” Category

Smoke on the Water & Paul

Posted on October 25, 2026

On Saturdays I meet up with the UO Noon Running Group, which really does not meet at noon anymore as most of the runners are retired now. However, we do meet up on Saturday and have a route that takes us over the Autzen Footbridge across the Willamette River. On this run yesterday, the fog atop the water was beautiful as the rising sun captured it. I also walked, instead of run, as my knees have been giving me some challenges lately. I walked with Paul Slovic, the founder of the group (from back in 1969!) and our elder runner (he’s 88). Plus walking with Paul is great as I get to talk with him and listen as we try to solve the world’s…

McKenzie River Trail

Posted on October 19, 2026

Spent most of yesterday in the mountains just east of Eugene, on a trail run along the McKenzie River Trail and around Clear Lake. I’ve been going to Clear Lake for years now and find it a beautiful place, nestled among the lava flows, a few giant sequoias and many vine maple trees. Yesterday was simply beautiful. Photos below. The trail itself is a trail along a “National Wild and Scenic River,” the McKenzie River and the trail parallels the river for most of it. It starts just north of Clear Lake and my goal was to run from the parking lot, around Clear Lake, and back. This is the bridge at the start of the run that goes across a dry creek bed.…

Rainbow Ridge 20k & 50k

Posted on October 11, 2026

Yesterday I volunteered at the Rainbow Ridge 20k & 50k Trail Run which took place up the McKenzie River about a two hour drive from home. The runners endured the beautiful trails and worked so hard at this . . . it was impressive. Photos below: I stopped at a boat launch to use a forest service restroom and took this photo. In the distance is remnants of the wildfire from 2020 known as the Holiday Farm Fire. It was huge and caused a lot of damage. Six years on, though, and nature is returning. The air was cool this morning, with some sunlight coming from behind me as I looked West. There are many covered bridges in rural parts of Oregon, including this…

Fall 2026

Posted on September 20, 2026

I’ve been recovering from my running injury that I got this past June and I got out for two easy miles this morning in the lovely fog. It is feeling like Fall even though we are close to 80 degrees on some days. Updated my Now page as well. A ground web showing itself. The Japanese maple tree in our backyard is turning a bit. Across the field.