Day 5: Old Oregon Trail and Senator Wyden

Perfect day for running, weather started in the 50’s and eventually the upper 60’s.  Started the morning running through La Grande on the Old Oregon Trail, so much history and beautiful farmland.  It was a bit windy but nothing like the previous days where I felt I was running in quicksand.

The afternoon I began the ascent into the Blue Mountains on the Emigrant Creek Scenic route.  It was so cool to transition from open prairies and farmlands of the last week where I rarely saw trees and had no shade to being in a forest canopy.  The elevation was a challenge but I took my time and enjoyed the peacefulness as there was rarely a car that went by.

The final event of the day was a personal meeting with Senator Ron Wyden.  He was in La Grande to hold a Town Hall and my friend Jane Hill, a former staffer to the senator, arranged for him to meet with me just prior to the Town Hall.  He recorded a nice video, and said he will announce this event on the floor of the U.S. Senate when he returns!  I gave him a ROCCS shirt and commemorative coin and he gave me his senate coin.  

Best day of running so far.  Looking forward to getting to Blue Mountain Community College this weekend.