Today was a shorter ride in terms of mileage for I4K2012, but that does not mean it was lacking in fun! (or food for that matter) We set off from Cascade Locks for a brisk 20 mile jaunt in the Columbia River Gorge. Atop the Crown Point Vista House we met up with Barbara Lorraine, a U of I alumna and champion Iron Woman, and continued our ride to the home of Melinda Carlson, an Illinois alum. Set before us was a lavish smorgasbord of breakfast delights. With quiches and frittatas galore, we filled our stomachs until we could eat no more. While there, we mingled with a number of members of the Portland chapter of the Illinois Alumni Association. Afterward, we meandered into the city of Portland, leisurely biking through Oregon's hills. Once at our home for the next two days, the Church of All Nations, the team celebrated I4Kristmas, in which we exchanged gifts we found on the side of the road in Secret Santa fashion. The holiday spirit really boosted team chemistry! For dinner, we headed to Grant Park (in Portland, not Chicago) for a picnic with Team in Training, the fundraising arm of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society that also trains for marathons. It was wonderful to bond with others fighting for the same cause as us.Thank you to Barb, Melinda, and Team in Training for all of their fabulous support! You all really made today special for us. Thanks to the city of Portland for their multitudinous bike paths and neat bike traffic lights. You are a rad city to bike in! Finally, a huge thank you to the Church of All Nations for generously housing us and our bikes for tonight and our rest day tomorrow.Happy holidays,The Illini 4000Fun Fact: It is illegal to whistle underwater in Portland. The origin behind this strange law is unclear. The more you know, I4K style.