Most people probably think I'm odd for looking forward to and enjoying my annual trip to Pasco, Washington, each Christmas season to shoot the Cable Bridge Run. Eastern Washington isn't most people's idea of a winter getaway--I mean, how many college football bowl games do any parts of Oregon or Washington host? It's always cold, and it is usually raining or snowing, and sometimes we have a terrible time traveling home. It's all about the comradirie, the sprint to the finish because the cops close the roads into it, and trying to nail that perfect action shot of the guy wearing his tangerine speedo (true story, although we didn't see him for the first time this year).
Last year's photo team was the all '93 McNary special, but we traded Brent (Penrose's brother-in-law) this year for Penrose's wife, Trish (also a McNary graduate, but not from our special class). Having a lady there didn't prevent us from being any wilder or crazier than we normally are, but we did have to stop earlier to get something to eat. Even though Trish always books the hotel for us, maybe her coming along led her to choosing a much nicer than normal place to stay--they even had a complimentary continental breakfast, something we've never had before, and free access to the Internet.
The race was pretty normal: cold, overcast (but no rain or snow--not even on the ground), and a huge crowd eager to race. I'm not very good at shooting on the bridge, as there are thousands of participants in a huge mob, so trying to give photographic attention to each person is impossible. I prefer the second half of the race: after grabbing the last walker's photo, we return quickly to the car and drive as far as we can towards the finish line, where the police block the road.. Brian and I eject from the car and run as quickly as possible to the hanger that serves as the finish line (it's big enough to store a few commercial jets). Earlier in the trip Trish had revealed that Brian feels a little jealous that he can't keep up with me on the run to the finish line, especially this year because he hasn't exercised as much. I found that funny, because I never cared or paid any attention to where he was: I was simply trying to get to the finish line ASAP so I could grab as many photos as possible. You know, trying to be a good employee. Anyway, the run through the railyard was pretty simple as the ground was devoid of snow, so it was easy to see where to go. After the last person crossed the line, we packed it up and headed home. Each year we seem to socialize less with the race officials, making me think this tradition may end sometime in the near future. But I'll see it through to the very end.
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