urban iditarod stalks beerdrinker

Stepping out of Powell’s technical yesterday, I was a bit confused by the gleeful roar I hear in the distance. As I turned onto Couch from the park blocks, the noise grew louder and more distinct. Looking towards the Willamette I was a bit astonished by the source: a colorful crowd of people running shopping carts down the middle of the street. At first I thought this was some sort of guerilla theater event, but as I watched, the roar grew louder, and the crowd kept coming. This was quite an event. Everyone was costumed…ranging from offbeat to ridiculous.

And me without my camera.

    <p>
      Apparently, the race is 4 miles long, with beer break checkpoints scattered throughout. It seemed that everyone was celebrating the entire time. It was beautiful. And they kept following me. After Powell&#8217;s tech, I went into the big Powell&#8217;s. After I emerged, they were still partying by my car on Davis and I walked to grab a gyro at Aybla (so good!). As I started unwrapping my tasty pita goodness a familiar sound greeted my ears, and I was swarmed by iditarod mayhem.
    </p>
    
    <p>
      <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/rrezinas/RandomPDX/photo#5173275702606893474"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/rrezinas/R8sq16MLEaI/AAAAAAAAN7s/GPlUvlGrbtk/s400/urban_iditarod_baja.jpg" /></a>
    </p>
    
    <p>
      Favorite costume goes to the big shirtless guy with the angel wings. So wrong. That team was all kinds of wrong with the sexy angel on the wagon working the stripper pole.
    </p>
    
    <p>
      Neatest cart: cavemen with real fire.
    </p>
    
    <p>
      Funniest shirt: it takes quick hands to beat off evil.
    </p>
    
    <p>
      I love Portland.
    </p>
    
    <p>
      PS. It looks like the best page to get more info is unfortunately their <a href="http://www.myspace.com/portlandurbaniditarod">myspace</a>.
    </p>