What was I thinking? I flashed back to Senator Hatfield who once said that he and Mrs. Hatfield tried walking (they were not too athletically inclined) and "didn't like it." Day 1 on the treadmill at 3mph was a lot to take in! haha. From downtown, I got a little past the Sylvan exit today which reminded me of all the great times turning off to go in either direction to visit friends. It made me think of a great walking route I love . . . take the MAX from Goose Hollow to the Zoo, walk up Highland Road past the Racquet Club, down Fairview, and back to the Zoo via Washington Park.
Brookwood Parkway in Hillsboro comes into view - the Hillsboro Airport is the site of the most unusual board meeting of my non-profit volunteering life. As SOLVE board members, we would rotate board meetings to all of our offices - and in six years of service to that organization I saw plenty of great conference rooms throughout the city. Louisiana-Pacific's former hangar held some nice business jets, so we had our post-meeting happy hour on one of them after sitting next to it for our meeting. Fun! Incidentally, you can view the Nike Hangar on Brookwood. Nike's 40,000sf building can hold three Gulfstream V jets and was designed by TVA, a renowned firm whose principal is the husband of one of my colleagues in our Portland Heights Windermere Realty Trust office.
Sunday, May 5:
I've hit Exit 57 - Go South to Glencoe High School or North to - you guessed it - North Plains, Oregon's "City to the Sunset" pop 3,396. Let it not be said that the city's founders were not creative with its name! While the city itself is currently "finding itself" at the crossroads with development and expansion of the urban growth boundary, Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club has played host to numerous tournaments since opening in 1992 - founded by three partners including former University of Oregon Foundation Trustee and Portland Business Leader Gay Davis. The club hosted the first US iteration of the controversial Saudi Royal Fund-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series event in 2022. On the less controversial side, I was asked to lead the marketing for what could be considered the state mortgage association's most successful golf tournament in the mid-2000s. If you haven't been golfing here, it's really a peaceful place.
Monday, May 6:
Landing at the intersection of the Wilson River Highway (6) and 26, I am reminded of everything the South of Sunset brings at this location. If one wouldn't be venturing to Manzanita, a trip down the road less traveled to "Sip 47" (a name created by Rudy Marchesi and his daughter Kristin of Montinore Estate) via Forest Grove will drop you into the middle of some of Oregon's great winemakers from the Yamhill-Carlton AVA. Alas, staying focused on the route ahead will take us into a more tranquil and scenic part of our journey.
Tuesday, May 7:
The intersection of Hwy 47 itself at 26 is our last agri-centric stop before we begin our initial ascent into the North Section of the Oregon Coast Range.
Wednesday, May 8:
We're dead center between the Hornshuh Creek Fire Station #14 and the Apple Valley Airport. Who knew that Ramblin' Rod Anders constructed this airstrip (OR61) in 1994. The airport is used as a base for spraying crops. The fire station is relatively new (2020) with 4 bays, training room, office, dorm, and kitchen.
Thursday, May 9:
The Sunset Highway shares alignment with Hwy 47 for about four miles. Manning, an unicorporated community, is close by and takes its name from Martin Manning who took up a land claim there in 1865.
Friday, May 10:
We hit Milepost 44 and could turn at NW Conway Dr, but proceed on!
Saturday, May 11:
Walking through a tunnel, on the right hand side (south) looks like a relatively significant lumber operation site at NW Ridge Road (MP41. Check out the economics of our lumber industry at the Oregon Forest Resources Institute.
Sunday, May 12:
A Small respite lies ahead just beyond MP38 at the 26 Market at Timber Rd.
Monday, May 13:
Between MP 37-35, Wolf Creek sits parallel to 26. Did you know that the road was originally called Wolf Creek Hwy before it was named the Sunset? For those into firearms, this is your turnoff to the North Fork Wolf Creek Shooting Lanes. And, just beyond you'll find the Four County Point Trailhead.
Tuesday, May 14:
MP 32 - just in the distance will be NW Wheeler Rd but we enter the Clatsop State Forest at Music Rd.
Wednesday, May 15:
MP 29 - We are at the South Fork of Rock Creek for this segment between McGregor and Olson Roads and at a half-way point of our journey toward The Little Apple!