Gorge Waterfalls 50K Run, 3/12/2011
 
Brianpen...
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  Gorge Waterfalls 50K Run, Mar 2011  1 / 32  (Start seq 140; Curr file p1040176.jpg)
  
 
James Varner puts on a great race and his inaugural Gorge Waterfalls 50K in March 2011 was no exception. The point to point course ran east along the Oregon side of the Columbia Gorge, mostly on trails and past a dozen or more spectacular waterfalls. Unfortunately I hadn't trained for hills so the 6000 or so feet of up and down ate my quads; I had to limp in the last few miles using sticks for crutches. Nonetheless, a race not to be missed next spring.
                                                                                                                                     
  
  Monte at packet pickup
 
Gorge Waterfalls 50K Run, 3/12/2011
 
Brianpen...
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  Gorge Waterfalls 50K Run, Mar 2011  2 / 32  (Start seq 140; Curr file p1040179.jpg)
  
 
James Varner puts on a great race and his inaugural Gorge Waterfalls 50K in March 2011 was no exception. The point to point course ran east along the Oregon side of the Columbia Gorge, mostly on trails and past a dozen or more spectacular waterfalls. Unfortunately I hadn't trained for hills so the 6000 or so feet of up and down ate my quads; I had to limp in the last few miles using sticks for crutches. Nonetheless, a race not to be missed next spring.
                                                                                                                                     
  
  Porta-potty line at the start
 
Gorge Waterfalls 50K Run, 3/12/2011
 
Brianpen...
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  Gorge Waterfalls 50K Run, Mar 2011  3 / 32  (Start seq 140; Curr file p1040182.jpg)
  
 
James Varner puts on a great race and his inaugural Gorge Waterfalls 50K in March 2011 was no exception. The point to point course ran east along the Oregon side of the Columbia Gorge, mostly on trails and past a dozen or more spectacular waterfalls. Unfortunately I hadn't trained for hills so the 6000 or so feet of up and down ate my quads; I had to limp in the last few miles using sticks for crutches. Nonetheless, a race not to be missed next spring.
                                                                                                                                     
  
  American Dipper in stream at the start
 
Gorge Waterfalls 50K Run, 3/12/2011
 
Brianpen...
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  Gorge Waterfalls 50K Run, Mar 2011  4 / 32  (Start seq 140; Curr file p1040183.jpg)
  
 
James Varner puts on a great race and his inaugural Gorge Waterfalls 50K in March 2011 was no exception. The point to point course ran east along the Oregon side of the Columbia Gorge, mostly on trails and past a dozen or more spectacular waterfalls. Unfortunately I hadn't trained for hills so the 6000 or so feet of up and down ate my quads; I had to limp in the last few miles using sticks for crutches. Nonetheless, a race not to be missed next spring.
                                                                                                                                     
  
  Waiting to start
 
Gorge Waterfalls 50K Run, 3/12/2011
 
Brianpen...
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  Gorge Waterfalls 50K Run, Mar 2011  5 / 32  (Start seq 140; Curr file p1040190.jpg)
  
 
James Varner puts on a great race and his inaugural Gorge Waterfalls 50K in March 2011 was no exception. The point to point course ran east along the Oregon side of the Columbia Gorge, mostly on trails and past a dozen or more spectacular waterfalls. Unfortunately I hadn't trained for hills so the 6000 or so feet of up and down ate my quads; I had to limp in the last few miles using sticks for crutches. Nonetheless, a race not to be missed next spring.
                                                                                                                                     
  
  The first waterfall
 
Gorge Waterfalls 50K Run, 3/12/2011
 
Brianpen...
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  Gorge Waterfalls 50K Run, Mar 2011  6 / 32  (Start seq 140; Curr file p1040194.jpg)
  
 
James Varner puts on a great race and his inaugural Gorge Waterfalls 50K in March 2011 was no exception. The point to point course ran east along the Oregon side of the Columbia Gorge, mostly on trails and past a dozen or more spectacular waterfalls. Unfortunately I hadn't trained for hills so the 6000 or so feet of up and down ate my quads; I had to limp in the last few miles using sticks for crutches. Nonetheless, a race not to be missed next spring.
                                                                                                                                     
  
  Continuing to ascend - the first 5 miles were all uphill.
 
Gorge Waterfalls 50K Run, 3/12/2011
 
Brianpen...
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  Gorge Waterfalls 50K Run, Mar 2011  7 / 32  (Start seq 140; Curr file p1040196.jpg)
  
 
James Varner puts on a great race and his inaugural Gorge Waterfalls 50K in March 2011 was no exception. The point to point course ran east along the Oregon side of the Columbia Gorge, mostly on trails and past a dozen or more spectacular waterfalls. Unfortunately I hadn't trained for hills so the 6000 or so feet of up and down ate my quads; I had to limp in the last few miles using sticks for crutches. Nonetheless, a race not to be missed next spring.
                                                                                                                                     
  
  Continuing to ascend
 
Gorge Waterfalls 50K Run, 3/12/2011
 
Brianpen...
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  Gorge Waterfalls 50K Run, Mar 2011  8 / 32  (Start seq 140; Curr file p1040199.jpg)
  
 
James Varner puts on a great race and his inaugural Gorge Waterfalls 50K in March 2011 was no exception. The point to point course ran east along the Oregon side of the Columbia Gorge, mostly on trails and past a dozen or more spectacular waterfalls. Unfortunately I hadn't trained for hills so the 6000 or so feet of up and down ate my quads; I had to limp in the last few miles using sticks for crutches. Nonetheless, a race not to be missed next spring.
                                                                                                                                     
  
  Near the top, about 1500' and five miles above the start
 
Gorge Waterfalls 50K Run, 3/12/2011
 
Brianpen...
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  Gorge Waterfalls 50K Run, Mar 2011  9 / 32  (Start seq 140; Curr file p1040201.jpg)
  
 
James Varner puts on a great race and his inaugural Gorge Waterfalls 50K in March 2011 was no exception. The point to point course ran east along the Oregon side of the Columbia Gorge, mostly on trails and past a dozen or more spectacular waterfalls. Unfortunately I hadn't trained for hills so the 6000 or so feet of up and down ate my quads; I had to limp in the last few miles using sticks for crutches. Nonetheless, a race not to be missed next spring.
                                                                                                                                     
  
  The photographer, quads still functional
 
Gorge Waterfalls 50K Run, 3/12/2011
 
Brianpen...
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  Gorge Waterfalls 50K Run, Mar 2011  10 / 32  (Start seq 140; Curr file p1040205.jpg)
  
 
James Varner puts on a great race and his inaugural Gorge Waterfalls 50K in March 2011 was no exception. The point to point course ran east along the Oregon side of the Columbia Gorge, mostly on trails and past a dozen or more spectacular waterfalls. Unfortunately I hadn't trained for hills so the 6000 or so feet of up and down ate my quads; I had to limp in the last few miles using sticks for crutches. Nonetheless, a race not to be missed next spring.
                                                                                                                                     
  
  Descending past another waterfall
 
Gorge Waterfalls 50K Run, 3/12/2011
 
Brianpen...
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  Gorge Waterfalls 50K Run, Mar 2011  11 / 32  (Start seq 140; Curr file p1040211.jpg)
  
 
James Varner puts on a great race and his inaugural Gorge Waterfalls 50K in March 2011 was no exception. The point to point course ran east along the Oregon side of the Columbia Gorge, mostly on trails and past a dozen or more spectacular waterfalls. Unfortunately I hadn't trained for hills so the 6000 or so feet of up and down ate my quads; I had to limp in the last few miles using sticks for crutches. Nonetheless, a race not to be missed next spring.
                                                                                                                                     
  
  Looking down Multnomah Falls
 
Gorge Waterfalls 50K Run, 3/12/2011
 
Brianpen...
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  Gorge Waterfalls 50K Run, Mar 2011  12 / 32  (Start seq 140; Curr file p1040213.jpg)
  
 
James Varner puts on a great race and his inaugural Gorge Waterfalls 50K in March 2011 was no exception. The point to point course ran east along the Oregon side of the Columbia Gorge, mostly on trails and past a dozen or more spectacular waterfalls. Unfortunately I hadn't trained for hills so the 6000 or so feet of up and down ate my quads; I had to limp in the last few miles using sticks for crutches. Nonetheless, a race not to be missed next spring.
                                                                                                                                     
  
  Crossing talus
 
Gorge Waterfalls 50K Run, 3/12/2011
 
Brianpen...
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  Gorge Waterfalls 50K Run, Mar 2011  13 / 32  (Start seq 140; Curr file p1040215.jpg)
  
 
James Varner puts on a great race and his inaugural Gorge Waterfalls 50K in March 2011 was no exception. The point to point course ran east along the Oregon side of the Columbia Gorge, mostly on trails and past a dozen or more spectacular waterfalls. Unfortunately I hadn't trained for hills so the 6000 or so feet of up and down ate my quads; I had to limp in the last few miles using sticks for crutches. Nonetheless, a race not to be missed next spring.
                                                                                                                                     
  
  Monte mid-course
 
Gorge Waterfalls 50K Run, 3/12/2011
 
Brianpen...
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  Gorge Waterfalls 50K Run, Mar 2011  14 / 32  (Start seq 140; Curr file p1040222.jpg)
  
 
James Varner puts on a great race and his inaugural Gorge Waterfalls 50K in March 2011 was no exception. The point to point course ran east along the Oregon side of the Columbia Gorge, mostly on trails and past a dozen or more spectacular waterfalls. Unfortunately I hadn't trained for hills so the 6000 or so feet of up and down ate my quads; I had to limp in the last few miles using sticks for crutches. Nonetheless, a race not to be missed next spring.
                                                                                                                                     
  
  Columbia floodplain woodland
 
Gorge Waterfalls 50K Run, 3/12/2011
 
Brianpen...
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  Gorge Waterfalls 50K Run, Mar 2011  15 / 32  (Start seq 140; Curr file p1040226.jpg)
  
 
James Varner puts on a great race and his inaugural Gorge Waterfalls 50K in March 2011 was no exception. The point to point course ran east along the Oregon side of the Columbia Gorge, mostly on trails and past a dozen or more spectacular waterfalls. Unfortunately I hadn't trained for hills so the 6000 or so feet of up and down ate my quads; I had to limp in the last few miles using sticks for crutches. Nonetheless, a race not to be missed next spring.
                                                                                                                                     
  
  The trail goes under the waterfall
 
Gorge Waterfalls 50K Run, 3/12/2011
 
Brianpen...
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  Gorge Waterfalls 50K Run, Mar 2011  16 / 32  (Start seq 140; Curr file p1040229.jpg)
  
 
James Varner puts on a great race and his inaugural Gorge Waterfalls 50K in March 2011 was no exception. The point to point course ran east along the Oregon side of the Columbia Gorge, mostly on trails and past a dozen or more spectacular waterfalls. Unfortunately I hadn't trained for hills so the 6000 or so feet of up and down ate my quads; I had to limp in the last few miles using sticks for crutches. Nonetheless, a race not to be missed next spring.
                                                                                                                                     
  
  Under the waterfall
 
Gorge Waterfalls 50K Run, 3/12/2011
 
Brianpen...
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  Gorge Waterfalls 50K Run, Mar 2011  17 / 32  (Start seq 140; Curr file p1040234.jpg)
  
 
James Varner puts on a great race and his inaugural Gorge Waterfalls 50K in March 2011 was no exception. The point to point course ran east along the Oregon side of the Columbia Gorge, mostly on trails and past a dozen or more spectacular waterfalls. Unfortunately I hadn't trained for hills so the 6000 or so feet of up and down ate my quads; I had to limp in the last few miles using sticks for crutches. Nonetheless, a race not to be missed next spring.
                                                                                                                                     
  
  Woodland
 
Gorge Waterfalls 50K Run, 3/12/2011
 
Brianpen...
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  Gorge Waterfalls 50K Run, Mar 2011  18 / 32  (Start seq 140; Curr file p1040235.jpg)
  
 
James Varner puts on a great race and his inaugural Gorge Waterfalls 50K in March 2011 was no exception. The point to point course ran east along the Oregon side of the Columbia Gorge, mostly on trails and past a dozen or more spectacular waterfalls. Unfortunately I hadn't trained for hills so the 6000 or so feet of up and down ate my quads; I had to limp in the last few miles using sticks for crutches. Nonetheless, a race not to be missed next spring.
                                                                                                                                     
  
  Crumpled barn - too much rain
 
Gorge Waterfalls 50K Run, 3/12/2011
 
Brianpen...
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  Gorge Waterfalls 50K Run, Mar 2011  19 / 32  (Start seq 140; Curr file p1040236.jpg)
  
 
James Varner puts on a great race and his inaugural Gorge Waterfalls 50K in March 2011 was no exception. The point to point course ran east along the Oregon side of the Columbia Gorge, mostly on trails and past a dozen or more spectacular waterfalls. Unfortunately I hadn't trained for hills so the 6000 or so feet of up and down ate my quads; I had to limp in the last few miles using sticks for crutches. Nonetheless, a race not to be missed next spring.
                                                                                                                                     
  
  Another waterfall
 
Gorge Waterfalls 50K Run, 3/12/2011
 
Brianpen...
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  Gorge Waterfalls 50K Run, Mar 2011  20 / 32  (Start seq 140; Curr file p1040239.jpg)
  
 
James Varner puts on a great race and his inaugural Gorge Waterfalls 50K in March 2011 was no exception. The point to point course ran east along the Oregon side of the Columbia Gorge, mostly on trails and past a dozen or more spectacular waterfalls. Unfortunately I hadn't trained for hills so the 6000 or so feet of up and down ate my quads; I had to limp in the last few miles using sticks for crutches. Nonetheless, a race not to be missed next spring.
                                                                                                                                     
  
  Runner crossing below waterfall
 
Gorge Waterfalls 50K Run, 3/12/2011
 
Brianpen...
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  Gorge Waterfalls 50K Run, Mar 2011  21 / 32  (Start seq 140; Curr file p1040241.jpg)
  
 
James Varner puts on a great race and his inaugural Gorge Waterfalls 50K in March 2011 was no exception. The point to point course ran east along the Oregon side of the Columbia Gorge, mostly on trails and past a dozen or more spectacular waterfalls. Unfortunately I hadn't trained for hills so the 6000 or so feet of up and down ate my quads; I had to limp in the last few miles using sticks for crutches. Nonetheless, a race not to be missed next spring.
                                                                                                                                     
  
  Another view of the same waterfall
 
Gorge Waterfalls 50K Run, 3/12/2011
 
Brianpen...
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  Gorge Waterfalls 50K Run, Mar 2011  22 / 32  (Start seq 140; Curr file p1040244.jpg)
  
 
James Varner puts on a great race and his inaugural Gorge Waterfalls 50K in March 2011 was no exception. The point to point course ran east along the Oregon side of the Columbia Gorge, mostly on trails and past a dozen or more spectacular waterfalls. Unfortunately I hadn't trained for hills so the 6000 or so feet of up and down ate my quads; I had to limp in the last few miles using sticks for crutches. Nonetheless, a race not to be missed next spring.
                                                                                                                                     
  
  Moss-covered talus. The farther east we ran, the more moss we found
 
Gorge Waterfalls 50K Run, 3/12/2011
 
Brianpen...
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  Gorge Waterfalls 50K Run, Mar 2011  23 / 32  (Start seq 140; Curr file p1040245.jpg)
  
 
James Varner puts on a great race and his inaugural Gorge Waterfalls 50K in March 2011 was no exception. The point to point course ran east along the Oregon side of the Columbia Gorge, mostly on trails and past a dozen or more spectacular waterfalls. Unfortunately I hadn't trained for hills so the 6000 or so feet of up and down ate my quads; I had to limp in the last few miles using sticks for crutches. Nonetheless, a race not to be missed next spring.
                                                                                                                                     
  
  The highway and a Columbia River dam, somewhere around mile 20 I think
 
Gorge Waterfalls 50K Run, 3/12/2011
 
Brianpen...
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  Gorge Waterfalls 50K Run, Mar 2011  24 / 32  (Start seq 140; Curr file p1040246.jpg)
  
 
James Varner puts on a great race and his inaugural Gorge Waterfalls 50K in March 2011 was no exception. The point to point course ran east along the Oregon side of the Columbia Gorge, mostly on trails and past a dozen or more spectacular waterfalls. Unfortunately I hadn't trained for hills so the 6000 or so feet of up and down ate my quads; I had to limp in the last few miles using sticks for crutches. Nonetheless, a race not to be missed next spring.
                                                                                                                                     
  
  Really mossy woods
 
Gorge Waterfalls 50K Run, 3/12/2011
 
Brianpen...
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  Gorge Waterfalls 50K Run, Mar 2011  25 / 32  (Start seq 140; Curr file p1040247.jpg)
  
 
James Varner puts on a great race and his inaugural Gorge Waterfalls 50K in March 2011 was no exception. The point to point course ran east along the Oregon side of the Columbia Gorge, mostly on trails and past a dozen or more spectacular waterfalls. Unfortunately I hadn't trained for hills so the 6000 or so feet of up and down ate my quads; I had to limp in the last few miles using sticks for crutches. Nonetheless, a race not to be missed next spring.
                                                                                                                                     
  
  Twenty mile aid station
 
Gorge Waterfalls 50K Run, 3/12/2011
 
Brianpen...
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  Gorge Waterfalls 50K Run, Mar 2011  26 / 32  (Start seq 140; Curr file p1040248.jpg)
  
 
James Varner puts on a great race and his inaugural Gorge Waterfalls 50K in March 2011 was no exception. The point to point course ran east along the Oregon side of the Columbia Gorge, mostly on trails and past a dozen or more spectacular waterfalls. Unfortunately I hadn't trained for hills so the 6000 or so feet of up and down ate my quads; I had to limp in the last few miles using sticks for crutches. Nonetheless, a race not to be missed next spring.
                                                                                                                                     
  
  Snow in the woods
 
Gorge Waterfalls 50K Run, 3/12/2011
 
Brianpen...
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  Gorge Waterfalls 50K Run, Mar 2011  27 / 32  (Start seq 140; Curr file p1040251.jpg)
  
 
James Varner puts on a great race and his inaugural Gorge Waterfalls 50K in March 2011 was no exception. The point to point course ran east along the Oregon side of the Columbia Gorge, mostly on trails and past a dozen or more spectacular waterfalls. Unfortunately I hadn't trained for hills so the 6000 or so feet of up and down ate my quads; I had to limp in the last few miles using sticks for crutches. Nonetheless, a race not to be missed next spring.
                                                                                                                                     
  
  The last big waterfall
 
Gorge Waterfalls 50K Run, 3/12/2011
 
Brianpen...
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  Gorge Waterfalls 50K Run, Mar 2011  28 / 32  (Start seq 140; Curr file p1040254.jpg)
  
 
James Varner puts on a great race and his inaugural Gorge Waterfalls 50K in March 2011 was no exception. The point to point course ran east along the Oregon side of the Columbia Gorge, mostly on trails and past a dozen or more spectacular waterfalls. Unfortunately I hadn't trained for hills so the 6000 or so feet of up and down ate my quads; I had to limp in the last few miles using sticks for crutches. Nonetheless, a race not to be missed next spring.
                                                                                                                                     
  
  Cold mossy woods
 
Gorge Waterfalls 50K Run, 3/12/2011
 
Brianpen...
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  Gorge Waterfalls 50K Run, Mar 2011  29 / 32  (Start seq 140; Curr file p1040255.jpg)
  
 
James Varner puts on a great race and his inaugural Gorge Waterfalls 50K in March 2011 was no exception. The point to point course ran east along the Oregon side of the Columbia Gorge, mostly on trails and past a dozen or more spectacular waterfalls. Unfortunately I hadn't trained for hills so the 6000 or so feet of up and down ate my quads; I had to limp in the last few miles using sticks for crutches. Nonetheless, a race not to be missed next spring.
                                                                                                                                     
  
  The photographer on cold mossy talus. Quads still functioning.
 
Gorge Waterfalls 50K Run, 3/12/2011
 
Brianpen...
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  Gorge Waterfalls 50K Run, Mar 2011  30 / 32  (Start seq 140; Curr file p1040256.jpg)
  
 
James Varner puts on a great race and his inaugural Gorge Waterfalls 50K in March 2011 was no exception. The point to point course ran east along the Oregon side of the Columbia Gorge, mostly on trails and past a dozen or more spectacular waterfalls. Unfortunately I hadn't trained for hills so the 6000 or so feet of up and down ate my quads; I had to limp in the last few miles using sticks for crutches. Nonetheless, a race not to be missed next spring.
                                                                                                                                     
  
  Lunch at the finish - burgers, chips and a keg of ale
 
Gorge Waterfalls 50K Run, 3/12/2011
 
Brianpen...
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  Gorge Waterfalls 50K Run, Mar 2011  31 / 32  (Start seq 140; Curr file p1040257.jpg)
  
 
James Varner puts on a great race and his inaugural Gorge Waterfalls 50K in March 2011 was no exception. The point to point course ran east along the Oregon side of the Columbia Gorge, mostly on trails and past a dozen or more spectacular waterfalls. Unfortunately I hadn't trained for hills so the 6000 or so feet of up and down ate my quads; I had to limp in the last few miles using sticks for crutches. Nonetheless, a race not to be missed next spring.
                                                                                                                                     
  
  Runner's eye view of the finish line
 
Gorge Waterfalls 50K Run, 3/12/2011
 
Brianpen...
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  Gorge Waterfalls 50K Run, Mar 2011  32 / 32  (Start seq 140; Curr file p1040258.jpg)
  
 
James Varner puts on a great race and his inaugural Gorge Waterfalls 50K in March 2011 was no exception. The point to point course ran east along the Oregon side of the Columbia Gorge, mostly on trails and past a dozen or more spectacular waterfalls. Unfortunately I hadn't trained for hills so the 6000 or so feet of up and down ate my quads; I had to limp in the last few miles using sticks for crutches. Nonetheless, a race not to be missed next spring.
                                                                                                                                     
  
  Monte finishing