A final goodbye

 It has been two years since Rusty died and we were ready to celebrate and say our last goodbyes.  We had always planned to blow a glass float and put some of his ashes in it as memoir.  The rest of his ashes we were scattering on his favorite sand dune in Pacific City.  So in March we blew the glass float but once we got it home we really didn't like it.  So during our marathon weekend, we decided to do a different color scheme, one that would make us smile and think happy thoughts. It turned out beautifully!  Once we were done, we took the "disliked" glass float and placed on the beach near where we put his ashes.  We figured someone would find it and be excited (it's such a big deal to find a glass float there- the glass blowing studios "plant" floats all year to lure tourists to the beaches!) and that made us happy to think Rusty once again is making others smile! 

 The glass is glowing hot and easy to manipulate.  I added twists in the glass for character.  

 

 Then it's time to blow.  This is the part that makes the shape.  No mistakes here or you get a funny looking glass float!!

 Almost done.....

 Once it is full blown, it goes into a kiln to finish it.  We were able to pick it up the next day!

 Rusty' float........

We placed his ashes on a rise in the dunes....it won't be there next year as the winds and storms will change the landscape....we know he loved this place and we will forever remember him when we visit....you will always be in our hearts, Rusty! 

Done, oh so done!

 The day finally arrived for our last, final, no more, done, oh so done, marathon!  We decided to run the Newport Marathon 6 months ago....we asked ourselves "why" so many times but we are glad we did it!  Greg did awesome with a PR of 4:58:11 and I managed to stumble in at 5:26:38, which was my best time ever! 

 This bridge is iconic to Newport and we ran right by it on our way out to the bay area...3 miles into the race we left the oceanfront.

 BEFORE THE RACE! Our smiles weren't quite this big afterwards!

Sunset the night before...
The picture to the right of the rainbow is the reflection of the sunrise the day after the marathon.  We were lucky to have seen this. Not a common sight at all.

 Beach views from our hotel.

 It's all about the bling!  These are glass blown medals - really cool!

Our after picture...tired we are!

So...a little background of this picture!  We decided NO MORE MARATHONS after this one!  So I made a 26.2 + R.I.P. in the sand and laid down in front of it to symbolize it was time to say THE END!  Greg took this picture and then photo-enhanced it to look like grass.  It really is on the beach!
All I can say 2 weeks afterwards is:  done, oh so done.......or maybe not!!!