You might remember my PAD and story last Friday when I hiked 6 miles up and back down Spencer Butte. It was a very tough day. See the story accompanying my 9/11 PAD. I doubted I would make the climb again. Well, that thought lasted less than a week! The dedication of the rebuilt trail to the top was today, instead of last week as I thought. I just couldn't miss it and an opportunity to see Carrie and Kelly, my friends at Eugene Parks, which hosted the event. So I did it again, this time with my friend, John! This time I found a much shorter route. So I hiked about 2 miles instead of 6, but still a very steep climb. Anyway, I made it and enjoyed spending some time at the top.

What was accomplished in this project is amazing! There is a beautiful trail and some stone steps up there near the top, where I got lost for a bit several years back. The trail at the top then was indistinct and unmarked. Now it is wonderful, a real credit to Eugene Parks and Open Spaces! My photo today shows some of those who worked on this project as they got ready to pose for the photographer in the foreground.

The other photo shown is of a group heading for the top after the dedication program. There was a steady flow of visitors on the trail today!


And hey, I made it twice in the last couple weeks! Not bad for 79! The moral of the story is - never say, 'never again'!