Weekend!!!!!

My first full weekend in Oregon can only be described in one word....success! I took so many pictures, but unfortunately the chord I need to transfer the pictures to my laptop is in my dad's basement in Tennessee right now. So a trip to Best Buy is coming later today so I can get that. In the meantime I have this picture of one of the great things we did....we bought bicycles. People on bikes are all over this part of the country. I don't consider myself a cyclist but my husband likes riding so it's something we can do together. Our first ride on Saturday evening was great. We discovered the side streets of this cozy little lake town we are calling home and it's beautiful. We rode next to the lake and saw so many families out enjoying the beautiful weather we were having.

We also went to the most amazing farmers market and took the short drive over to Cannon Beach...those pictures to come later today or tomorrow. Be blessed!

J

the hills of Tennessee

I have been running now for just over two years. And next to my husband I have to say it is definitely the love of my life. My passion for running started more like hating it with a passion and not loving it with a passion. Here I am two years later and I do love it. Of all the places to start running, the hills of Tennessee had to be the most beautiful to run. I am at least 6 pairs of running shoes in and lots of lessons that I have learned (some harder than others) about this very welcoming recreation.

We are here in Oregon now. I finally ventured out a couple of days ago and got in my first few miles. The landscape of this state will definitely help to make my runs more scenic. Today I ran my first set of hills in Lake Oswego, Oregon. Well, in Tennessee we have hills. Here in Oregon they have mountains. I thought Percy Warner Park in Nashville, Tennessee was as bad as it gets. I was quickly corrected today.

Here are some of the gorgeous views in what is now our home away from home.

Welcome to Oregon!!

Here I am on my 4th full day here in Lake Oswego, Oregon. This Tennessee girl is very impressed with Oregon so far. The trees here are beautiful and look like something out of a dream come true Christmas card. Just a few things I have noticed pretty quickly about this serene place I will call home for at least a few months:

* Lack of humidity. Tennessee is historically known for it's ridiculously high humidity levels. I don't know what the actual % of humidity is but even when it's in the low 90's the weather is very comfortable. Running in Tennessee in August usually has to happen by 5 in the morning. Here, I can do it anytime. Today will be my first low humidity run. Stay tuned for that update.

* Tree huggers. I know many people here may be referred to as "tree huggers" on this side of the country, but I think my home state could learn a little from the Oregonians. Everywhere you look there are the most amazing trees. It's as though  they only need 5 acres to build a new Target and actually only cut down or remove 5 acres of landscape instead of removing everything for 10-15 acres. The trees are everywhere and make for the most beautiful landscape these blue eyes have ever seen.

* From 39 to 14. These are the 2011 healthy state rankings Tennessee vs. Oregon. I am a health nut so I am most excited to be here, inspired, and surrounded by such a healthy state. Tennessee was ranked 39 and Oregon was ranked 14. All I see are people everywhere running (my love) and biking. I have already made my trip to REI to check out bikes. And I haven't seen a single person smoking a cigarette. I am certain there are those people but I haven't seen it yet.

This picture was taken really close to where we live. See how gorgeous it is? Love it!! More to come on my running and traveling adventures....be blessed!