We've Got The County Covered
We've Got The County Covered
Steve and Sherry Edwards' granddaughter, Mackenzie, poses with her daughter, Lettie, who just completed her first Turkey Trot foot race in Woodinville, Washington. Lettie is two and a half years old. Lettie's sister Margot, seven months, also did the race in a stroller pushed by mom.
ritten using an Artificial Intelligence (AI) program. Visiting our family in Washington state I learned some about Artificial Intelligence. I asked my grandson-in-law, Avery, if he would show me how to use AI to write a story. The following story is based on a one paragraph request I made online with only minimal details about the people and the event. To me this new technology is amazing...and scary.
WOODINVILLE, Washington. - Thanksgiving morning dawned cold and bright in Woodinville, as hundreds of families gathered in the Seattle suburb for the annual Turkey Trot, an event for runners of all ages and skill levels. Few participants drew more smiles than first-time runner Lettie, the great-granddaughter of sometime Journal reporter Steve Edwards and his wife, Sherry.
At just two and a half years old, Lettie went to the Kids Dash starting line with the confidence of a seasoned competitor. Sporting a colorful, hand-crafted tutu made by great-grandmother Sherry, Lettie bounced on her toes alongside dozens of other young runners brimming with holiday-morning energy.
Lettie's baby sister, Margot-only seven months old-watched from the sidelines in a matching tutu of her own. The coordinated outfits became a small sensation among spectators. For Sherry, who sewed the flouncy creations earlier, seeing her great-granddaughters wear them at such a special event was its own reward. "We wanted them to have something fun, something they could grow into as part of a tradition," she said, beaming as Lettie raced past the finish line. "I think this counts."
The Turkey Trot has become a cherished Woodinville tradition, bringing together local runners, visiting families, and holiday travelers for a morning of community spirit before Thanksgiving feasts begin. For Steve and Sherry, who spent the entire month of November in Woodinville dog-sitting and reconnecting with their Washington-area family, the event offered a perfect capstone to a month of family time. "It's always special coming back," Steve said. "But this year, watching Lettie run her first race-well, that made it memorable in a whole new way."
The Edwards' November stays in Washington have become something of a ritual. Each year, they make their way west to care for friends' older poodle, enjoy the damp but scenic late-autumn weather and soak up precious time with children, grandchildren, and now great-grandchildren.
Locals may remember that Steve often chronicles these extended visits in follow-up stories for the Journal. Past dispatches have covered everything from the quirks of Seattle-area traffic (he got two speeding tickets, by camera, in the same school zone on the same day) to the culinary adventures of Thanksgiving leftovers. But this year's tale is decidedly more sentimental.
From the moment Lettie stepped onto the course she seemed to understand the joy of the event. She ran with determination, tutu swirling and cheeks rosy with cold. When she crossed the finish line-grinning, triumphant, and greeted by cheering family-she held up her participation ribbon like a medal won at the Olympics. "She's already asking when she can run again," said her mother, laughing as she adjusted little sister Margot's matching tutu. "I think we've created a runner."
For a morning that began simply as a fun family outing, the race became a milestone shared across four generations. And for Steve and Sherry it added another chapter to the ongoing story of their visits to Washington-this one filled with pride, laughter, and a pair of very photogenic tutus. As Woodinville residents dispersed to their holiday tables, the Edwards' family members left the race with full hearts-and the promise of many more Turkey Trots to come.
