After a breakfast of re-heated Poutine (from Potato Champion, the Belgian Fries Cart on Hawthorne and 12th), I rode to the Seven Virtues Cafe on 60th and NE Glisan to meet Shawn Granton and folks for the 5th Annual Palm Tree Ride (pictures forthcoming!). It was a sunny, beautiful day with harsh winds pounding out of the Gorge. Riding East (and sometimes North) was trying, but of the approx. 28 people who started the ride, I only know of one person falling (taking pictures while riding can be hazardous).
Shawn talked several times about the beauty of evergreens and palm trees as sources of green and life in the winter. Coming from Sacramento, I suppose I took this for granted. But when I think about all of the Chinese Windmill Palms, Monkey Puzzle Trees, Ceders, Madrones, Southern Magnolias, eucalyptus, and the many other green plants across town, I think he is on to something. There is a beauty in finding the things that make it through winter; like cyclists coming together in the wind, or a tall and dignified Cryptomeria…
