I just wanted to take a moment to wish everyone a Happy New Year! All the best to everyone who might read this and everyone else that I know who won’t. I wish each and every one of you luck and good life in the coming year. It’s destinted to be a doosy but hopfully the world around us will benifit from what’s coming around the corner.
Aaron at Manzanita Beach 2008
For me there will be another member of our family this year, the first one will start school, work will be more consistantly busy than previous years, which I hope that will prove enough not to have it just disappear all of a sudden, and I’m sure there will be my share of unknown surprises. Here’s to riding my bike more often, working on more personal technological projects to make myself smarter, and having a blast adventuring with my family. Here is a toast to you in what the new year brings to your plate. And here’s a toast to the World, good luck with that one, you’ve got your work cut out for you.
Alright, after a long lame streak for updates of my life and interesting things involved in that life I’ve made some moves to motivate myself to do it and some easier ways to post content. I’m “all up in the tubes” as they say..
Anyway, last Sunday was adventure day for me, Lavi and Nellie. We caught a break in the rain showers and headed into Forest Park for some exploring. We had a great time most of the first part of Leif Erikson Trail is uphill from where we started but Lavi does a great job trudging up and up.
Fooling around in Forest Park
Follow that smell
I think they’ve found a treasure!
One of the most entertaining and interesting things to see was when I realized that Lavi was following Nellie around and mimicking her own exploration. At one point Nellie went up to a tree and Lavi was hanging back about a foot behind her. She smelled the tree and then moved on and he walked right up to the same tree put his nose to the bark and sniffed. Then he proceeded to move on the exact path Nellie did when she left the tree. I thought that was awesome.
Also, I saw a woodpecker. I heard it off the side of the trail and was able to scan the forest and locate it’s position.. Nice pecker. So lets see how it goes from here shall we…
I wasn’t able to join the crew for this trip but without a doubt it appears to be another outstanding encounter with the Wookie.
Joey and G just shred the trail ultimately blazing past T-bone like he’s out of breath or something.. Man I love these trails..
Here’s video from the 007 Equinox Tour. That’s Joey in the lead and G sporting the Helmet cam.. I’m blown away by G’s ability to keep Joey in mid frame at those speeds… SICK.
Couple of days of vacation under my belt now. And dad and I have been working our asses off. Dad and Mom are in town from Ohio. Thursday we trimmed back all of the rodies and bushes around the house and yard, I hung the reed fencing along the back fence, we picked up the doors at lowes, and we cleaned the 40 gallon fish tank and set it in Lavi’s room. Today Dad and I applied two coats of urethane to the doors and jambs. Tomorrow is fence day, picking up the two man auger and we’re going to dig post holes and set posts.
Tons of work going on. And more to go. I’m off until the end of next week and plan on projects the entire time. We’re going to have to do something fun tomorrow too so I don’t just overwork Dad while he’s on vacation too.
Veggin’ like crazy now. Big day again tomorrow. Laterz.
Once again the solstice marks the annual trek to the heart of the Siskiyou Mountains of Southern Oregon. It was indeed an epic year. I’m totally swamped now that I’m back but hopefully I’ll have some more stuff about the trip later..
Here’s some media of the trip, all copyright Johnathon Allen..
Just thought I would follow up on this one. After an amazing out pouring of support from the Portland biking community and the Mayor finding a magical 2 million more dollars for his budget.. The Platinum Bicycle Master Plan is going to be funded. bikeportland.org has more HERE
I also got a “thoughtful” email from the “Mayor”
Greetings:
You are receiving this email in response to your concerns that the Platinum Bicycle Master Plan was not included in Mayor Potter’s initial proposed budget.
The City’s Office of Management and Finance has reported an additional (and unexpected) $2 million in revenue for FY 06-07. This gives Mayor Potter the opportunity to fund several important projects that were not included in the initial proposed budget. This will include the Platinum Bicycle Master Plan. Please read the attached memo for more details.
I appreciate your interest.
Sincerely,
Jeremy Van Keuren
Public Advocate
Office of Mayor Tom Potter
Portland, Oregon
503-823-4125 jvankeuren@ci.portland.or.us
Last year, Transportation Commissioner Sam Adams received $50,000 to fund the first stages of Portland’s Bicycle Master Plan Update process. But this year, Adams’ office was surprised to see that the Mayor has decided to not continue funding this project.
I find this extremely unfortunate. I sent an email to the Mayor’s Public Advocate, Jeremy Van Keuren at jvankeuren@ci.portland.or.us
Please pass onto the Mayor my concern that funding the Bicycle Master Plan is extremely important to the City of Portland. Discontinuing his part of the budget would be a major setback for the future and safety of Portland and the success of it’s world leading alternative transportation goals.
A-
bikeportland also has more contact information regarding the issue so that you can let them know your opinion as well.
Mayor’s Public Advocate:
Jeremy Van Keuren at jvankeuren@ci.portland.or.us, or call (503) 823-4120
City Council:
Dan Salztman – dsaltzman@ci.portland.or.us
Erik Sten – erik@ci.portland.or.us
Randy Leonard – rleonard@ci.portland.or.us
