Another week of lumbering started with a 5.77-mile loop in some non-spring-like conditions (34˚ and flurries). But hey, there was NO ice or snow on the trails, and there were critters out and about, so it at least gave the illusion that spring will come… someday.
The week has been less than stellar for a variety of reasons, including the fact that I only have a hair over 20 miles in my feetz thus far.
This is about all I feel like writing, so I’ll just post a few pics from the last few days, including a few from Friday’s 6.50-mile lumber that felt like I had been through multiple different seasons in two hours: snow, slush, ice, rain, fog, mud, and sunshine.
I needed less than 5 miles to hit my 30-mile goal last week. Didn’t.
I aborted Friday morning’s lumber due to snow and ice coming down and promises of better conditions on Saturday morning. Until I woke up Saturday and had no desire to lumber.
At this point, I could wax nostalgic about a weekend of suck and the want to lie down in a ditch on the side of the road for a long nap, but I will save that for another day.
Well, the Weather Mongers were not wrong, and I woke up to snow and high winds this morning. There were only a few inches at the time, but it was still coming down, and after four days of snowless hiking, I was not in the mood.
I was back in the woods this morning, and I was greeted with MUCH better conditions than yesterday’s freezing rain fest. It was a cool 27˚, but the sun was out, and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky.
I’m having a good week of lumbering, with over 19 miles in so far. It’s also been a busy week, so I’m going to TRY to keep this short.
Tuesday’s hike was a 6.35-mile loop. I didn’t see too much critter activity, save for a few deer hiding in the woods, and a red-winged blackbird hanging out amongst the reeds and willows.
Later in the day, I watched Spurs embarrass themselves and their supporters, losing 5-2 in the first leg against Athético de Madrid in the Champions League. I hate them.
WEDNESDAY
Come Wednesday, I was eager to get back in the woods, but also apprehensive due to waking up to freezing rain with heavier rain on the way. Fuck it, I’m going.
And I’m so glad I did!
The roads were fine getting to the trail, and the rain had slowed to a slight mist when I took off down the muddy path to the trails.
It was just before legit sunrise, and combined with the clouds and the ice on the trees, made for some seriously gloomy conditions. But the trails were free of ice and snow, and I had a spring in my step as I lumbered silently over wet leaves and mud.
Around mile 3, the misting rain picked up to a steady cold drizzle. Wearing a knit bobble cap was probably not the wisest thing I ever did, but for the most part, I was staying warm and dry. I even utilize the rain cape that came with my Cotton Carrier Skout G2 Sling to protect my camera, and it worked like a champ!
With three miles in and the rain picking up, I thought about heading back to the car. But then I once again said, fuck it, and continued on.
Soon, I was nearing a section of trail with exposed dead trees along the river where I have seen birds of prey many times. I had my camera ready as I crept around the corner, looking up at the trees opposite the river. Then, BOOM! There it was! A large bald eagle was perched on a branch with the freezing rain falling, and hadn’t heard me (thank you, muddy trails!).
I fired off a few series of shots before it finally heard or saw me and flew off. I couldn’t believe my luck! I’ve got a few eagle shots over the years, but these are by far my best images. The light was, of course, horrible due to the rain, but I am still geeked up.
Along the way, I got a few more shots and it felt good to be back doing regular loops. Of course, there are two different storms heading our way over the next few days that could dump up to 10 inches of snow, or an inch with a bunch of rain. Really hoping for rain!
I was so stoked that I decided to keep hiking rather than head back to the car. I was pretty cold and wet by the end, but had a smile on my face and 6.45 miles in my feetz as I drove home. I even found myself saying out loud, “I’m so glad I went, I would have missed that shot! I think 32˚ with freezing rain pouring down might be the best conditions to do anything in.”
Later.
A weekend of temps well above freezing has finally made the trails free of ice and snow. That meant today was the first day I successfully (that means I didn’t fall on my ass whilst attempting), completed a full loop in trail running shoes. It’s been since November, and it felt incredible!!!
Not to beat a spent lingam, but I haven’t been on trails using just my trail runners since sometime in mid-November. Until today.
As I pulled into the muddy parking lot today, I swore that I would not use microspikes for the day’s lumber. There is just no way! Screw it, I’m done!
I pulled into the lot just before 7 AM today, and once again had the debate of whether to strap on microspikes or not, given that half of the trails are clear. I went with spikes ’cause half the trails remain a solid sheet of ice and I’m a “glass half empty or half filled with shit” sort of dork.