Spring Fever
The fresh colors of spring seemed to be popping this morning. Finn and I meet friends Mike and Alice for a trail run on Cougar Mountain. The temperature is cold (33F) but the skies are clear and the sun - oh my god the sun that we seemed to never see in March - is shining brilliant through the trees. The moss, ferns, new grass and freshly budding tree leaves are a vibrant green, shouting their embrace of a new season of growth. We see the first trillium flowers of the season. Aaahhhh.
The various greens of new growth in the forest is beautifully reflected in the water of Coal Creek.
After a few miles along Coal Creek, we return to the parking lot where Alice will rest in the car. Her post-surgery knee has a limit of about five miles per run. Finn, Mike and I continue on for a few more miles. Very quickly, we encounter some friends who are also reveling in the great spring weather.
A bit later, we saw more dog friends - dogs Ella and Valentino - and their people.
It's hard to beat a morning like this: sunshine and fresh air; endorphines from running; Finn happily chasing small birds through the undergrowth; seeing canine and human friends along the way.
Life is good.
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| Alice cooling her toes. |
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| Finn also tests the water and finds it refreshing. |
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| Don't drink the water. (Alice can't resist peeing in water; it's a running joke.) |
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| Morning sun almost reaches the creek banks. |
After a few miles along Coal Creek, we return to the parking lot where Alice will rest in the car. Her post-surgery knee has a limit of about five miles per run. Finn, Mike and I continue on for a few more miles. Very quickly, we encounter some friends who are also reveling in the great spring weather.
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| Tess and Fiona the Irish Wolfounds; Annabelle the golden retriever puppy; and Sidney. |
A bit later, we saw more dog friends - dogs Ella and Valentino - and their people.
It's hard to beat a morning like this: sunshine and fresh air; endorphines from running; Finn happily chasing small birds through the undergrowth; seeing canine and human friends along the way.
Life is good.