A few random thoughts that are on my mind today:
1. The Portland Timbers rolled to an emphatic victory beating Minnesota United FC 5-1 on the rainy Friday night season opener. The Timbers scored their first goal early in the game and added another early in the second half. The Loons pulled one back in the 79th minute before Portland blew the doors off at the end. Minnesota conceded a penalty kick in the 82nd minute that the Timbers converted. Portland then scored two more goals in stoppage time. “Let it rain, let it pour; let the Portland Timbers score.”
2. Along with most Portlanders, I’m over this winter. It’s still cold, it’s still raining, and it’s still technically winter, but from the meteorological perspective it’s now spring. I’ll take it. This was the coldest winter in Portland in 38 years. The mean average temperature was 37.1 degrees. Brrrr. We had four snow events in the city, and the official snowfall total was 11.2 inches. It was also the wettest February in Portland history. We had 10.34 inches of rainfall at Portland International Airport last month. Whether we’ve needed sleds or boats to get around town this winter, enough already! Bring on the vitamin D!
3. It’s race season in Alaska. The Iditarod gets underway with Saturday’s ceremonial start in Anchorage, but climate change is affecting the race again. There isn’t enough snowfall on parts of the trail — in Alaska — for Monday’s competitive start to take place in Willow, so the starting line has been moved more than 220 miles north to Fairbanks. This is the second time the race has been moved in three years. Mushers cross the finish line in Nome later this month where it’s definitely still winter. Saturday’s projected high is 14 degrees.
4. Sorry, GOP, but this Russia thing is not going away. The question is will it be a Benghazi, meaning there is nothing there in regard to misconduct, or will it be a Watergate, meaning there’s malfeasance that brings down a presidency? The Magic 8-Ball replies, “Cannot predict now.” Apparently there is too much smoke in Washington to get a clear read on the situation.
5. One of my favorite coastal inns has closed. The Lightkeeper’s Inn Bed and Breakfast in Newport, Oregon is for sale. This gorgeous home features a panoramic view of Yaquina Bay from each of its five bedrooms and the great room. Built in 2007, the 4,457 square foot house sits on a bluff on the west side of the bayfront. The list price is only $798,000. Who wants to be my benefactor on this? Cash or check only, please.