2002 8th
Memorial Day Fun
U-Park-It Run
Portland, OR
Report 4

Later  Run

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The route crossed the “cathedralesque” St. John’s Bridge taking drivers and navigators over the Willamette River after passing Delta Park. That was just before entering Forest Park south of the River. Once in the park, speedsters were tested on Germantown Rd. A twisty switch back laden climb that warmed radiators and deafened the ears with roaring exhaust notes. On top of the hill, this driver’s navigator instructed to turn left on Cornelius Pass Rd. It was supposed to be “OLD” Cornelius Pass Rd. We had just driven past Sunset Highway and about to the visit the Hills house in Hillsboro before turning around to find the correct route. Later counseling from Padre Jepperson calmed the nerves.

As tough a time each navigator had in finding road names, they were also multi-tasked to find answers to questions within the directions for roadside attractions.  Like, “What can you buy at a certain address on Phillips Rd?”  Or, “What year is the model train display?”  “Where is Henry?”  Not “Ford”, but “Bishop” buried in a turn of the century church park graveyard.  The local Portlanders may have thought they had an advantage on this run, but some of the out of towners faired well enough to end up in the top three.  The bottom line is that in order to answer some of the questions you had to “Park It” and get out of your vehicle to go look.  Not all answers were on the side of the road.  It just so happened that any time you had to “Park” your car to find some thing, you were usually at a “Park” too.  On two levels, “U-Parked It” just like the run theme promised.  It was an excellent way to stop and enjoy the many Portland area parks, stretch your legs or use the park facilities.  Things you wouldn’t see from I-5 as you pass through going somewhere else. 

Once past the old church park above, the route turned northward on Logie Trail Rd.  It climbed straight up and over Skyline Blvd with lower gear ascents and brake burning descents back towards the Willamette River and Highway 30.  Tom and Kelly Godish were responsible for route instructions, which were superb, if we just read what was on ‘em.  They turned us Southeast to Portland on a four-lane that allowed the speedsters to stretch their legs with speeds in excess of 50mph.  Of note here is that the route returned to Island driving within the Sauvie Island Wildlife Area.  Smack in the middle of this island is a huge lake called Sturgeon Lake.  It was the answer to one of the questions too.  This loop was worthwhile for the flat easy driving and because there was a checkpoint hosted by Beth.  She gave out candy for the short ride back to headquarters.  No test is complete without “extra credit” so the directions also contained clues for different auto makes or types like “Messenger of the Gods.” You could score extra points with a correct name.

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