Where the part of the heart was left...

The weekend was all and more I ever could wish for. Every friend made me feel so very special, so loved, so warm...despite the not-so-warm temperatures by my new Texan standards. The part of the trip that caused the trip was wonderful and will be in my soul forever. Every minute was so full of something meaningful and touching, and just simply full, I was tired yet couldn't wipe the smile off my face. Of course, there were Gorge runs, both days. Saturday one just leisure outing to Multnomah Falls/Larch Mt./Whakeena Falls for a 16 miles exploration of the rain, snow and a bit of sun at the end, with Gail and Mike, just the way it was before, and meeting a couple more locals on trails. Sunday had 17 miles at Herman creek area with a date with Ronda and Micheal for PCT hill repeats (ok, they did 3 of those, Mike and I did only one on PCT, then ventured to Nick Eaton crazy climb and pushed it too). Apparently, my fitness proved to be pretty darn good, especially considering I haven't done anything remotely like this for a year. I forgot just how long 3M uphill at LT is! My eyes were close to pop out by mid-point, but I made it all the way, and only a mere 30 seconds off my best time ever. Bombing downhill wasn't as successful, almost 2 minutes off, but I felt relaxed and easy, and that was still pretty good time, very usual for me there. Hard hiking Nick Eaton with much more steepness gave time of 2 minutes over best - and I have to admit, this was by far fastest in a couple of years anyway. All in all, I was pleased. Seeing Ronda was great, too bad we never trained together, I could have learnt a lot from this girl in "push it" style. But even more so I was pleased to just be there, in my Cathedral, the best place in Universe...and being with my bestest friends, people who I don't need to explain much, who accept me as is, who can finish my sentence, and who I can be silent with just as comfortable as saying anything that comes to mind. I love you all, and a huge piece of my heart will forever be with you, in this magical place...one day I'll have the best of all worlds, and that is worth dreaming of.
As usual, when it comes to Gorge, I hardly can pick which shots to post, thus I put a few. Commentary are not necessary...