Runscapes #8

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Runscapes #1

This is my first endeavor with video editing using IMovie .
Plus -- my very first YouTube Video! w00t!
A time consuming activity for sure – but FUN.
Now I’m really looking forward to shooting more video on my
next run!
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A Tree

--- Trees I Run By ---

When I run by this tree I feel her strength. I am honored by her very existance. There is no other tree like her around here. The trunk base must be 6 feet in diameter!

"Tapered trunks withstand greater stress (wind, vandals) than those that have little or no taper. A tapered trunk decreases in diameter with height."

I’ve had a difficult time finding her actual name. (Any ideas?)
A giant Redwood or perhaps a Cedar? Whatever - she is wise and sturdy and very old.

Sitting way too close to this house – she waits for us to eventually fade away…

An update to the identity of this tree. I emailed a local group called," The Eugene Tree Foundation" and they kindly replied with this.
That's a giant sequoia, or Sequoiadendron giganteum,
Kewl!

Both images taken with my cellphone.

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Favorite Running Path

This weeks TIART topic is - Your Favorite Run in Pictures!

I feel fortunate to live in a city that has a path system that follows along a river. The 12-mile Ruth Bascom Riverbank Path. pdf
Many parts of the trail are under a canopy of trees for shade in the summer.
I love crossing the numerous foot bridges and the sounds of the river. On the East bank there is a patch of wild anise – that smells so divine. The only pitfall to this path is that I have to drive to reach it, so I can’t run it as often as I would like...

Autzen Footbridge

And in the rain...

PS. My current header image is also from this very pathway.

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Indoorsman

“Outdoor activities have declined by 18-25 percent since 1980s.”

In the last issue of Nature Conservancy there’s an article subtitled,
“Is There Room for Nature in a Digital Age?”
Herds of humans observe nature from the safe confines of home. (Nature video junkies.) But will this replace the actual emersion into nature?
One of The conservancy’s chief scientists was quoted; This trend is more foreboding than tropical-forest loss or global warming.
I don’t profess to be an outdoor fanatic. But, I sense when I’m running down a path in the woods, that I actually belong there. I love that feeling!
Perhaps humans are evolving into a pack of indoorsman…This could be a good thing for us who are happiest outdoors.

Benefits (IMHO)

• Less trash in the landscape. Insiders would have a conveyor belt directly under their chair - transporting trash to a centralized underground repository.
• No crowds any season for camping, hiking, beachcombing, sailing, trail running…etc.
• Peace and quiet. Insiders would work from home – only venturing out occasionally to visit friends.
• Animals would be free to survive as anticipated.

What do you think will happen to us as we move away from actuality?

PS. I don’t expect to see the completion of this metamorphosis during my life time.

Videophilia
The World Without Us
The Big Trees

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Trees I Run By

Under every tree - patches of light – dancing. As I run by, sunlight filters through the canopy - catching the dust as it settles.

--- Trees I Run By ---

Corylus avellana L.
common filbert

In the summer I run along the north side of this filbert / hazelnut orchard. Not only do I appreciate the shade, but the serene surroundings.
There are still several small orchards around my neighborhood. They are interspersed between subdivisions and power lines. In a battle of who will survive – I think urban sprawl is winning…
Luckily, a bird dropped a nut in our backyard 2 years ago and we now have a healthy 3 foot shrub.

Notes:

• Indians used hazelnuts to make soup.
• The nut falls out of the lacy husk when it is ripe.
• They are rich in nutrients! Including Iron.
• The first commercial filbert orchard in the United States was here in the Eugene area at Dorris Ranch.
• Frangelico is a liqueur made with hazelnuts.

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Running Under Trees

I love running along this path even though it follows along private backyard fences. The canopy blocks the sun and filters the rain. The branches reach out awkwardly overhead - almost off balance...
In the winter, ponds form at the base of these trees – Ducks splash down as I run by.
Sadly, the city cut down a few of these trees – I guess home owners worried the branches would break off...

--- Trees I Run By ---

Oregon Ash

Notes:

• Snakes were said to be repelled by ash leaves or a circle drawn by an ash branch.
• Irish folklore claims that shadows from an ash tree would damage crops.
• It is in the olive family.
• It is 1 of 16 species of ash in the United States.
• And the only ash native to the Pacific Northwest.

Pinnate Leaflet
I carried home

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Earth Day Preamble

The last race I ran – they handed out, with the bib #, the usual goodie bag including race notices, coupons etc. But this year the bag was a paper manila envelope and inside a note saying bring this envelope back so we can re–use it! I always recycle all paper products anyways but what a cool idea.
Here’s my action list:

• Bring my own bags when I go shopping.
• Continue a Vegetarian diet - strive towards vegan.
• Turn off the lights and TV when I leave the room.
• Maintain my vegetable garden and an herb garden.
• Compost wastes using a tumbler.
• Take old stuff to the second hand store. (Actually my husband does this for me : )
• Recycle books always! Member of paperback swap and library.
• Rarely go clothes shopping.

• Drive to work.
• Still use little plastic bags for some produce items.
• Watch too much television!
• Should buy more items in bulk.
• Support local shops and buy fresh produce – even if it costs more!
• Not using recycled toilet paper.
• Wean myself off paper plates.
  

Every day is Earth Day!

Earth day – a day to re-examine our activities. Can we do better?

This site has tons of information and ideas. David Suzuki Foundation

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Running By An Old Tree

I take it as a sign. This morning I spotted a young woman performing yoga under one of my favorite old trees in Eugene. I’ve just started thinking seriously about getting into yoga. The many years of running has left me inflexible and prone to injury. Now I know it must be the right time...

--- Trees I Run By ---

I frequently divert my run off the river path to run through the
Owen Rose Garden. It’s so fragrant when the roses are in bloom. (Over 4,500 rose bushes.)
But it’s this magnificent cherry tree that really draws me in. The limbs all knarly as they reach out over the roses. Like some wise Yoda it stands guard. Sadly, some of the lower braches are now supported with metal poles – we all get old...Today it was in full bloom.

A Black Tartarian Cherry
Live Web Cam
Prunus avium

This tree is 140 - 155 years old. Its trunk circumference 21 feet!
It continues to flowers profusely in the spring.
It is considered the largest cherry tree in Oregon, and possibly the entire United States!
Ref. Eugene Tree Foundation (pdf)

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Torrents of Rain

Today’s long run was particularly unpleasant. I’m not one to complain about the weather but when every item of clothing including cap are soaked and your feet are sloshing about in your runners - that’s when I get mad. This, of course, just made me run faster.
(Sorry Mr. Galloway; my long run was faster than you suggested.)
I did survive. And this quote now makes sense.

“That which does not kill us makes us stronger.” – Nietzsche

--- Trees I Run By ---

The route I took this morning follows the Willamette River. All along the shore are tall trees with their branches reaching out. They have just started to show signs of life - tiny sprigs with 5 shiny leaves are appearing. They have pleasant medicinal scent to them.
These numerous trees are Black Cotton Woods.
It is easy to link the word cotton to their name because in the spring they produce massive amounts of floating fluffs.
(Not so wonderful if you have allergies.)

Populus balsamifera
Black cotton wood

Notes:
In the Willamette Valley of Oregon, black cottonwood matures in 60 years or less , but studies show that the species grows well for as long as 200 years.

• has a resinous fragrance from the sticky buds.
• this resin has a sweet, balsam odor.
• the resin from the buds is used for natural health ointments.
• bees use this sticky resin as a caulking in their hives.
• the species are endangered in Illinois, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.

Ever run with an umbrella?

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Running In The Rain

A cheery sight. An explosion of tiny pink blossoms.
Nothing shouts out Spring to me more than the sight of the first flowering trees.
In the rain I can even smell their scent before I round the corner. (Running in the rain does have some rewards.)
This beautiful blossom was pinched from a small group of trees along the boulevard.
To note: It is native to central and eastern Europe – not Oregon.

--- Trees I Run By ---

Prunus cerasifera
purple leaf plum

Characteristics:

• fragrant.
• blooms before leaves emerge.
• fruit attracts birds.
• one of the first trees to flower.(Around here.)

start to finish

pencil (When did they become not reusable?)
vaseline lip gloss
yellow of a toy truck
blossoms in the puddles...

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Exotic Tree

Admittedly – I didn’t spend a lot of time running while I was in Hawaii. It was to warm for really long runs and time always seemed to be an issue - >Way too many things to do. Like:: snorkeling, swimming, beachcombing, lighthouse viewing, whale watching, sunrises, kayaking, bird watching, hiking, playing in waterfalls, cider cone climbing, sand sifting, Geocaching, Miller times and fine dinning...just to name a few.

--- Trees I Run By ---

The Banyan Tree
ficus benghalensis

One of my runs took me through this grove of Banyan Trees. Jungle like the roots dangling overhead. [A little creepy.] The leaf looked like a magnolia tree so I was surprised to read it was related the fig.

"Banyans will generate roots from our branches that will extend down to the ground creating another tree without the need to produce flowers, fruit or seeds to generate offspring."

Apparently Banyan trees did not originate in Hawaii – they were imported from places like India.
They were given as gifts to the Hawaiian Queens and Kings.
From looking at this leaf, I found nearby, I would say this was a fiscus_benghalensis or Indian Banyan.




Banyan Tree Trivia
The first banyan tree in the U.S. was planted by Thomas Alva Edison it was given to Edison by Harvey Firestone after Firestone visited India in 1925 and was planted in the Edison and Ford Winter Estates. The tree, originally only 4 feet (1.2 m) tall, now covers 400 feet (120 m).
Have a great day!

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Going on Vacation

I’m starting to plan next week’s runs – I will be on vacation! And I have no idea where I will be running. (Kind of exciting.)
Running is a critical part of my life – so I never forego workouts even when I’m away.
So looking forward to early morning runs, sunrises, - going snorkeling and gorging on fresh pineapple!
This is my last running post for the moment.
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Introducing a new segment...I will identify and research one new tree each run. No, I won’t be sidestepping into people’s yards – just picking up leaves or twigs along the way.

--- Trees I Run By ---

Today, at the 2.2 mile mark, I passed under a magnificent Douglas-fir tree.

The Douglas Fir
Pseudotsuga menziesii

I found this sprig at the base of a very large tree. (For surviving in city limits.) Diameter 2 - 2.5 feet! This grove of very large Douglas fir trees are found in a small area in North Eugene. Why these trees were not chopped down for lumber is unknown to me. But I am in awe every time I run under them.
: )
BTW - It's Oregon's State Tree

Reference
National Audubon Society Field Guide To TREES

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