Old Reliable

I have run Blanchard Mountain so many times that I think I know the exactly where certain rocks, roots, ruts, and mudholes hang out waiting to trip me.  Last summer when the kid either hid or got lost up there I actually called to volunteer my services since I felt I knew that mountain pretty dang well.  Anyway, once a week I go out to reacquaint myself with certain trails and to leave behind all the stresses that plagued me during the day.  But today was a not only a day to enjoy the woods but a day to test myself.  

Every once in a while, I like to see what this 53 year old body can do and last Wednesday was that day.  Once a week I park at the base of the mountain on Chuckanut Drive and run up to the glider port parking area and back down.  It is a burly run but nothing out of the ordinary.  But on this particular run, I decided to push things a bit and head up past the Bat Caves up to Lily Lake.  I have never completely run this trail, and Wednesday was no exception although sometimes I wonder if my walking isn't sometimes more pronounced than my running!

I forget about all the mud and ruts on that trail, and I also forget how steep that dang thing is.  It is easy to forget about the day's stresses when all you are trying to do is to get your next breath and not keel over!  This particular day I ran a little further than I did the last time I tried this route but have yet to run all the way to the top.  Maybe when I get older, huh?

Lily Lake was pretty awesome with all the snow and Max's Shortcut is a heck of a lot easier to run down than up!

One the best things about coming back to Edison to teach is that I get to visit Blanchard once a week and I now remember why I liked being out in the Skagit Flats.  Just when I think one route is better than another, I realize that it really doesn't matter.  They ALL are good!

Happy Trails!!!