I gave myself a goal at the beginning of 2017. The goal was to sign up & complete all the virtual events hosted by Hogwarts Running Club this year.

This was my first experience with HRC and I’m quite impressed with the organization.

They host six events in a year, plus have a seventh challenge medal. The registration fees this year were reasonable at $25 per race. HRC is non profit and the majority of the registration cost goes straight to a charity of their choosing. Because of this, most of the registration cost is tax deductible.

For your $25 you are donating to a charity, receiving a medal in the mail, and can download a digital bib. There is also the option to purchase shirts.

They are active on Facebook for those who like the social aspects. They have multiple groups including the Great Hall and common rooms for each house. I am part of the Ravenclaw Common Room.

Charity Miles

Hogwarts Running Club uses the Charity Miles app to track mileage for special events like the House Cup. By using the app, not only are you helping your house, but you are earning 25¢ per mile to a charity of your choice.

* 2017 Events *

Alastor “Mad-Eye” Moody Constant Vigilance 5k

Charity Partner: Limbs for Life Foundation

The first event of 2017 was the Mad Eye Moody 5k. The medal is fun – the eye spins around.

Whether during a run or on a stroll with the kids, I enjoy spotting Great Blue Herons. They make me happy, even though they aren’t terribly fond of people. When I see one while running, I consider it good luck. It seemed fitting that I saw one during my first HRC event.

I printed my bib and brought it with me to Universal Studios, then stamped the back of it at the Owl Post.

The 10K and Spew

Charity Partner: Harry Potter Alliance and their Granger Leadership Academy

It’s all in the details.
When your owl delivers your mail, the package comes with a quirky saying. Love that! Also, many of the medals come with a saying or decor on the back.

This bib was also printed and stamped in Hogsmeade at Universal Studios.

I bought a basic athletic shirt and used my silhouette and heat press to create my own Ravenclaw shirt to run in.

Unmasked 10 mile Run for your life

Charity Partner: To Write Love On Her Arms

Sportin’ my Ravenclaw pride socks.

Even though it’s on the dark side, I love this medal. And, the charity is for an important cause.

Sirius Half Marathon

Charity Partner: Mission K9 Rescue

An event dedicated to Sirius Black.

The medal has a bit of a stained glass effect. The back is engraved with one of my favorite quotes:

If you want to know what a man’s like, take a good look at how he treats his inferiors, not his equals.
– Sirius Black

The Eternal Glory Four Miler!

Charity Partner: Back on My Feet

A four mile event highlighting the Goblet of Fire.

You get to pick the name and number that goes on your digital bib. My number is always 262 – for the 26.2 miles I completed during the Portland Marathon. I chose a different name for each event.

Platform 9 3/4 Year Four

Charity Partner: Antarctic & Southern Ocean Coalition

Another amazing medal. The light on the train really turns on and off.

The bib is designed to look like a train ticket.

Again, I love all the attention to detail.

* Time Turner *

The Time Turner happens in October. This is when HRC turns back the clock and reopens registration for previous events. You can also sign up for the Challenge medal and the Perfect Prefect pin.

Challenge Medal

The Challenge medal was available to HRC members who registered for at least three of the 2017 events.

The fun part about being in the Facebook groups are the added encouragement and challenges along the way. For instance, The Ravenclaw Common Room provided us an optional challenge for earning this medal. Our “position” during our “Quidditch match” was based on our monthly total miles.  I ended up being a beater because I ran between 50 & 99 miles. You can be as active or inactive in the optional challenges as you would like.

The Patronus 5k

I had already registered for all the 2017 events. So, instead I registered for 2015’s Patronus 5K during the time turner.

I registered for this event in October, but technically there was no race date. I hadn’t gotten around to completing it until the first week in 2018. I brought the medal with me on a girl’s trip to the Dominican Republic as motivation to run at least once on the trip. And, I did. I ran only the one time during that week.

Possible Fun Fact: Pottermore helped me discover that my patronus is a ragdoll cat.
A cat? That hardly seems correct. I don’t dislike cats, and ragdoll cats are beautiful. But, I’m more of a bird and aquatic animal person. Or, goat. I do love goats. We don’t even have a pet cat because we don’t want one in the house and the two we tried having outside both got eaten by coyotes. So, no cats for us. Yet, my patronus is a cat. Weird.

Perfect Prefect

I never thought it could be – but yet, it’s true. I am a Perfect Prefect. I highlighted my name on Ravenclaw’s Wall of Fame.

To be a Perfect Prefect you must register for all six events and the Challenge medal. The pin is free, as long as you tell them you want it.

HRC Cheer Squad

The Cheer Squad at this year’s Disneyland Half Marathon weekend. I don’t know these women personally, but I was more than happy to have their support during the 5K. The heat and humidity during the half marathon was brutal. The Cheer Squad had ice! I am not exaggerating when I say that it almost brought me to tears. I was miserable by this point in the race. I truly needed that ice to cool down. More than that, it just felt good knowing someone had my back. It was the encouragement I needed to finish.

Universal Studios Hollywood

To celebrate our son’s birthday, we surprised the kids with a quick trip to LA primarily to visit the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I brought my Ravenclaw shirt to wear and created shirts for the rest of the family. All the boys, hubby included, are Hufflepuff and my daughter is Gryffindor.

We went early in the year, so I only had 2 event bibs to bring with me. I brought them for the sole purpose of stamping them with the Hogsmeade postmark.

I enjoyed these virtual events so much that I already preregistered for all 2018 events. So, yippy! I should be a Perfect Prefect in 2018, too. I can’t wait to see the themes for each event. The first event has already been announced – the Nargle 9K.

Because I’m a sucker for things I adore, and excuses to run, and themed events, I recently joined HRC’s sister group based on Gilmore Girls, the Chilton Running Club.

There is also the Whovian Running Club, if you are a Doctor Who fan.

Now to work on my 2018 Perfect Prefect status!
Happy Running!

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In August I completed the Bridge of the Gods Half Marathon. It was an event I’d heard about and thought about doing. So, when my friend, Molly, asked if I would do it with her for her first half marathon, I said, “Of course!”

The actual Bridge of the Gods spans the Columbia River connecting Washington & Oregon. Recently the bridge has gained popularity due to Cheryl Strayed ending her Pacific Crest Trail journey here as she describes in her book, Wild.

THE SHUTTLE

Parking for the event was on the Oregon side of the Columbia River. However, the start line was on the Washington side. Near the parking areas were buses to shuttle us across the bridge.

THE START

The start line, in Washington. We met Molly’s cousin there and gave our well wishes and awesome race vibes to each other.

This was a first sight for me. There was a drone taking pics at the start line.

THE COURSE

And, we’re off.

The openness of the metal grates while running across the bridge was an odd feeling. It was my favorite part of the race.

That small island off to the left is the finish line location.

Running past the Bridge of the Gods Trailhead along the Pacific Crest Trail.

I wasn’t aware there was such a nice trail along this section of the Columbia River. It was great.

We made it to the Stairway of Heaven. Not gonna lie, this was about the point where the fun ended.

The trail was well marked and well maintained. But, I was just not feeling it that day. Well… I should say I was feeling it too much. I’d been hill training, but those elevation changes hit me hard. I didn’t sleep well the night before. I didn’t eat quite as many calories that morning as I typically do on race days. I started my period that day. Possibly a combination of all these things contributed to the rougher than normal race. I’m not sure. But after the first few miles, it sucked and my body was paying for it.

The view of the Columbia Gorge was beautiful. The weather was perfect.
In the top photo you can see I-84 & the powerhouse at Bonneville Dam.

Oh, thank goodness we made it to the half way mark! I’m smiling, but cringing inside.
I did/do love the new tank I bought from Sparkle Athletic. I don’t often run in tanks, but I kinda liked it.

I didn’t take any photos on the way back to Cascade Locks. I was too busy struggling to get myself up and back down those damn hills.

Once, though, we saw the bridge it was such a beautiful sight I had to snap a pic.

This place has the best ice cream cones. It’s a must to stop and enjoy one anytime you travel through Cascade Locks. I absolutely thought about getting one and continuing the race with it. I wasn’t going to get a PR. I might as well have enjoyed some ice cream. But, I didn’t.

Crossing the pedestrian bridge to Marine Park and the finish line!

THE FINISH

I always run across the finish line, but this time I was too tired to even care.

It was a challenge, but we did it!

This event goes down as my worst half ever. I felt horrible and my finish time was slower than even my first half at Disney.

The good news is that we never gave up and we finished.

I’m so ticked off at my performance that I want to go back and kick this course in the ass next year.

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Since the last day of this 31 Day Challenge falls on Halloween, I’m highlighting a pumpkin patch. I’m choosing Roloff Farms, which is in the Helvetia community of Hillsboro, Oregon. The Roloff’s are stars of TLC’s Little People Big World. The pumpkin patch came before the tv show, but certainly had less hype.

Along the drive to the Roloff’s are pumpkins letting you know you’re headed in the right direction.

The pumpkin patch is open Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays in October.

The Entrance

While waiting to buy your tickets, you can also pick up Amy’s Pumpkin Peach Salsa, Roloff books & souvenirs.

Halloween’s Past

Even before the craziness a tv show can bring, the Roloff’s had a nice pumpkin patch to visit.
Left: Here are Farm Kid & I in 2005.
Right: Farm Kid2 at Roloff Farms in 2005

Wagon Tour

Now days, the way to see their farm is to purchase tickets for the wagon tour. The tour takes you throughout their farm showing you the most popular places, with a short stop in their western town.

While waiting in line to board the wagon tour, we spotted Matt Roloff posing with visitors.

The Roloff home

Matt’s Men’s Crisis Center. In other words, his shop.

Noah’s Ark

Too, too cute! Straw, stick & brick homes from Three Little Pigs. Complete with 3 little pigs. The kids & I oohed and aahed over this, maybe because we recently added a couple pigs to our farm.

Left: Raised chicken coop to protect their flock from predators. Clever.

The trestle

Wedding Barn
It is rustic & lovely

Super cute little church built by Matt Roloff.

Beneath a barn is a wine cellar

Old West Town in 2005
Years ago, we didn’t pay to take a tour of the farm. It was just part of the fun coming to this pumpkin patch. We got to explore the old town as long as we wanted. However, back then it wasn’t crazy crowded like it is today.

The Old West Town Today
The wagon tour stops here for a few minutes to let you explore the town. It really is impressive.

Left: Molly’s Castle 2005
Back in the day, we could also explore the castle.

Right: Molly’s Castle today
I believe our tour guide told us that it was just recently completed.

Adventure Area

The adventure area was pretty great with tons of fun things for the kids. There were slides, tricycle racing, mini golf and even big cats from A Walk on the Wild Side.

Pumpkins

Don’t forget to pick your pumpkins.

The first year we went to Roloff Farms was in 2005. We loved it. It was a quiet evening, slightly wet out and nearly no visitors at the pumpkin patch. As far as I was concerned, it was perfect. While we were paying for the pumpkins, John struck up conversation with Matt Roloff and realized he was working for a company that Matt previously worked for. There was a camera man or two around, but we didn’t think much of it. Later they asked us to sign papers saying it would be ok if we ended up in a new documentary featuring little people. As far as I know we didn’t end up in any episodes. But, we didn’t have cable tv back then, so I didn’t watch the first few seasons.

The next year, I went back with my mom on a Saturday morning. It was so crowded and crazy. It took forever just to get parked. I didn’t go back again after that.

Eight years later, I decided to go back & check it out. I loved it. I went expecting a crowd, so I was prepared this time. Also, they are better prepared for the crowds & parking wasn’t a problem. It was $12 per person to enjoy both the wagon tour & adventure area. Not super cheap, but also not outrageous. It is the most I have spent for pumpkin patch activities, but there was a lot to see & do.

They did have a couple food options available. But, you could also drive the one minute it takes to get to the Helvetia Tavern for a burger if you’re hungry.

To see what others are sharing for the month of October check out write31days.com

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Just outside of Hillsboro is the community of Helvetia. If you’re in the area, Helvetia Tavern is the place to eat.

You go there for a burger, fries & onion rings. It’s simple. It’s greasy. It’s good.

When my Aunt & her family visit Oregon, we always eat here with them.

I have never heard one bad comment about the food or service.

I can’t speak about the tavern side. But, a place doesn’t stay open more than 90 years if things are crummy. So, I’m assuming the beer, spirits & company are also good. My dad celebrated his 21st birthday here many, many years ago.

The restaurant side of the building.

Left: Caps on the ceiling

Right: The menu
The prices are reasonable. However, bring your cash. They don’t accept plastic.

Bacon Cheeseburger & Onion Rings

On a side note, Helvetia Tavern is located near the Rice Rock Museum. It is also right next to Roloff Farms from TLC’s Little People Big World. So, if you’re checking out rocks or picking the perfect pumpkin, this would be a good place to grab a bite to eat.

It has also been in an episode of Grimm, which is filmed in and around Portland.

To see what others are sharing for the month of October check out write31days.com

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About an hour outside of Portland is the small town of Vernonia. It is located in the upper Nehalem valley. In 2007 flooding caused many millions of dollars in damages to the schools, hundreds of homes & community buildings. FEMA stepped in to help, but it still took a couple years to get the city back and better than ever.

Logging is a big part of the community. Mike Pihl from the reality show Ax Men is from this area.

Vernonia’s other claim to fame is that many Twilight scenes were filmed throughout the city.

Entering Vernonia

Left: Vernonia is a small town with a small town feel

Right: Rock Creek Bridge
At the beginning of the movie, Twilight, there is a shot of Bella’s dad, Charlie, driving over this bridge. The police station that Charlie worked at was filmed at a credit union building in town. The Cullen’s house was filmed at a home in Portland. And, Bella & Charlie’s house is in St. Helens

Mill Pond Turned Fishing Hole

What once held logs is now a fishing hole with Bass, Perch, Bluegill & Rainbow Trout.

Remnants of the mill pond are still evident.

Banks-Vernonia Trail

The Banks-Vernonia State Trail begins/ends at Vernonia Lake. 21 miles of what used to be railroad tracks are now hiking & biking trails through a beautiful forested area.

Pebble Creek

Along the south side of the lake is Pebble Creek. In the fall many salmon spawn here. It is hard to tell, but that pointy thing in the water is a salmon’s tail and in front of that is its dorsal fin.

Oregon American Mill Fuel House

My favorite place to visit at the lake is this old cement building. It is a hidden gem. It was once the fuel house forthe Oregon American Lumber Company.

All that is left from the building are items made from cement. The floor is dirt & littered with leaves. Trees & ferns grow in the dirt. Graffiti covers the walls. Overall, I’m not a fan of graffiti. But, it certainly adds to the cool factor of this long forgotten building.

One time we visited, a group of people were setting up for a wedding. Ironically enough, one of the ladies setting up was my lactation nurse with Farm Kid1.

Looking up

You do have to watch out for the occasional 4 letter word or naughty drawing, but for the most part the graffiti is not offensive

It is a fun & different place to take pics.

One year, we did beginning of the school year photos here.

Just a couple weeks ago, I took senior pictures of my friend’s daughter in and outside of the building. I remember when she was born. Wowzers, how time flies!

She is very involved in FFA.  Click here if you are interested in seeing a couple pics I took of her in her FFA clothes & with her 4 legged friends.

To see what others are sharing for the month of October check out write31days.com

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Cannon Beach is about a 15 minute drive from what I would guess is Oregon’s most visited coastal city, Seaside. Cannon Beach is popular, too. But is more trendy & upscale than Seaside.

When people think about Cannon Beach, they right away envision Haystack Rock. It is 235 feet tall and is seen in many photos representing the Oregon Coast.

To make things confusing, there is another Haystack Rock further down the beach about 65 miles in Pacific City. Although, this one in Cannon Beach is the Haystack Rock that most people think of.

Haystack Rock is made from basalt, being formed from lava flows.
At low tide, you can search the tide pools at Haystack Rock.

The tall rocks are known as the Needles.

This section of beach was used in the opening scene of the movie Goonies during the truck race.

Looking north towards Ecola State Park
This section of beach is a great place to play, in part due to Ecola Creek flowing into the ocean.

Sometimes while walking along the beach we find beautiful shells. Other times we find blobby jellyfish washed ashore.

The main area of town is known for its small town feel with boutiques, souvenir shops and restaurants. I’m not a shopper, so I couldn’t tell you the must see shops.

I can tell you, though, that I love the restaurant Mo’s.

Mo’s is famous for their clam chowder. However, it’s not my favorite. I do love their steamer clams, though. The garlic parmesan bread is also fabulous.

Mo’s is located right along the beach, making it that much more delightful.

View of Haystack Rock from Oswald West State Park

Another view, looking south, while on a hike at Oswald West State Park.

To see what others are sharing for the month of October check out write31days.com

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