Bloomsday #45 2026

Sheila, my Bloomsday partner, and I couldn't coordinate going to pick up our numbers at the same time.  I thought I would get to the trade show early on Friday morning and beat the crowd.  That didn't happen.  I got there early but there was a huge line to get in all around the block.  I did not wait in the line. It took at least 20 minutes for the line of people to slow down so I could just walk in.  I sat and talked to a nice young lady until we could walk right in. 

First thing I did was get a new quilt picture. 1980 was my first Bloomsday. I did miss one for knee surgery and another for something I did with Mike.  I didn't live in Spokane for the first three. This is number 45 for me.  

This is the nice person that I hung out with before we entered. 

I don't know if the trade show has just gotten less interesting or if I am just used to it after all these years.  It just doesn't have the same things it used to.  I did buy licorice.  

Here we go! Bloomsday!

Such a beautiful park.

I always look for the helicopter. This year I got no picture of the helicopter close up.  It's there in the middle of the blue sky. 

Sheila and I were in the orange group this year.  

We are ready to wait to start! Always sporting Team Gleason. 

And the tradition continues. Not sure why anyone was wearing a sweatshirt this year.  It was sunny and warm.  Perhaps they just brought the sweatshirts to throw them in the trees at the start.  It's a real skill actually getting them in the trees.  I have tried with no luck. All clothing is gathered and donated. 

We are moving! 

And Bloomsday officially begins for Sheila and me. 

This is the one downhill it seems like.  Everything else seems to be uphill. 

Sheila knows one of these band members.  

Here we go.  Getting closer to Doomsday Hill! 

Look closely.  You can see the little figures climbing Doomsday Hill. 

And of course, the vulture at that top of Doomsday Hill. 

There are bands all along the course. 

Now we can say we are almost done.  .46 miles left. 

And Sheila and I did it again this year.  I'm already excited for next year. 

The one picture missing is the picture of the shirts at the end of the race.  We didn't take one so I just took a picture of the shirt at home. I totally missed that upside down on the bottom of the shirt was the year of the first Bloomsday, 1977.  It's a great shirt to commemorate the 50th Bloomsday. 

Bloomsday #44 2025

Here I am again.  Getting ready for another Blooomsday. I have said it before.  It isn't just that I am heading to my 44th Bloomsday, it is more about me being able to continue to do Bloomsday.  It might be an old story to some but it isn't to me. God orchestrated a healing after my ruptured brain aneurysm in June 2012!  I never missed this race and it is a reminder how great God is yesterday, today and always.  The word thankful isn't good enough to express how I feel. 

35,000 plus people in this race and I ran into Rian and her friend.  

When I took this picture I thought this might be a great stop after the race.  After the race the line was too long so I didn't stop.

Riverfront Park!  The Spokane River!

Heading to the start line and checking out the food vendors for afterwards. 

Sheila and me at the start line.  This is about the 13th Bloomsday we have done together.  

I bought a sweatshirt at a thrift store to toss.  It was still cool enough that I hung on to it until the 2nd mile.  These sweatshirts will be donated.  

Nice picture of a boy on a parent's shoulders batting the beach ball. 

And here we go!

Just a little crowded!  Not so crowded that it slowed us down. 

Our first hill.  Steep and short.  Short compared to what was coming. 

The next hill.  This one seems to be over until you get to a certain point around the curve and it is not over.  

More than halfway.  

Doomsday Hill is coming up. 

See the tiny people climbing the long hill. 

And here we go.  You are timed up this hill.  My time was about the same as last year but it seemed harder.  Maybe I just don't remember what the hill was like last year. 

Yep, the vulture was there at the top of Doomsday Hill. 

He has done them ALL!  

This group always reminds me of Sargent Pepper Lonely Hearts Club Band. 

Lots of colorful costumes.  

Less than 1/2 a mile left and feeling great. 

Here it is! The finish! I always get a little teary eyed when I see the finish.  It is a reminder of God's healing power. 

The trophy. Bloomsday shirts.  Not our favorite this year at all but glad to have them to say we did it.  Sheila had surgery about a week and a half before this race.  I was impressed!!!!  No problem.  We actually did it a couple of minutes faster than last year.  She was amazing.