Seeking a bit of exercise, I headed up to Wildwood Trail. But no way was I going to share my hike with a bunch of disease-riddled humans. So I parked my car at sunset and hit the trail, knowing darkness would keep people away. My first encounter with people was about an hour in. I was surprised. I bet they were even more surprised, as I still didn't have my headlamp on. A couple more just after that, and once it was totally dark and my headlamp went on, I never saw another human. However, around the arboretum I was getting closer to a cougher. Yikes. I never had to pass him; presumably he was on spur trail. Really, these days anybody with a cough shouldn't go out at all. Cripes.
I haven't been in Forest Park in ages, except a short stroll a couple years ago that barely counts. It was fun to get reacquainted, and also to see what's new. And seeing the familiar places in a new (lack of) light. Probably most interesting was a section that drew close to the NW industrial part of the city. At night, with the lights cutting through gaps in the trees, it paradoxically seemed closer and more imposing than it appears in daylight. Strange feeling to be in the woods but also so close to heavy industry.
When I arrived at the Vietnam Vets' memorial I realized it was the end of Wildwood. I didn't know that until I got there. That gave me a nice sense of satisfaction, a place to turn back without feeling like I had given up.
Lots of critters about. More that I remember seeing in my countless daylight hikes. Most startling was a frog that hopped down the trail right at me. Small and harmless, but it's only natural to be startled when something is coming right at you.
I've wondered if I could do all 30 miles of Wildwood in a day. Last night I covered 15 miles continuously without a break, and it was a wake-up call. I was hoping to cover 20, but no way. I'm in pretty bad shape. By the time I returned to my car, I was getting a bit achy. I think I could do the full 30 miles, but I absolutely would need some rest stops along the way. I'd have to make a full day (or night) of it.
An excerpt from an Oregonian opinion piece that pertains to my last two pics:
Funny that those just happened to be the two I took notice of.There are 1,648 park benches in Portland parks, and since 2007, memorial plaques have been installed on 56 of them. Some are haunting, none more so perhaps than the message on a bench near Pittock Mansion for Margee and Ian, ages 1 and 4, killed March 7, 1989, by a drunken driver. "We will miss those paths we will never have a chance to travel together," wrote their parents, Dr. and Mrs. Charles Bellville, "and knowing those paths you would have chosen for yourselves."
A bench in Hoyt Arboretum adds directions to Neverland: "My dogs Blossom and Denver. Died 1991. Go to the first star. Turn right. Head straight on till morning. Have a wonderful flight. We'll all meet you there."