Mosquitoes in the Mist

Linda and I left early (for me) to meet up with Mindy for a run at Bradbury.  I had the heat on while diving over; the cool air, dampness, and holding the steering wheel is a recipe for Raynaud's.  The funny part is I knew I'd be sweating as soon as we got started; the due point was practically the same as the temperature.

I was surprised to find the gate closed and Mindy parked outside the Park.  We were early.  The plan was to show Linda the Bradbury/Pineland Connector.  We knew we wouldn't cover the entire trail; Linda had to work later and we wanted to fit in Edna and Lucy.  Priorities.

Mindy and I ran at our normal pace, Linda at hers.  Whenever we thought the trail might be a little confusing or there was a turn, we'd head back and regroup.  She was never really that far behind.  Though I'd told her it was easy since the trail was marked with pink ribbon, there were new ribbons going off on what looked like new or just other trails.

The first river crossing, without the bridge, took a little extra time.  The moss covered rocks were extra slippery due to the mist and earlier rain.  It was here that I first noticed how thick the mosquitoes were.  I slapped one spot on my calf and killed three.  Linda told Mindy it was good to have me along since I was such a mosquito magnet.  I really am.

Mindy and I were close to popping out on the power lines when we decided we'd head back to see where Linda was.  When you are familiar with a trail, sometimes it's hard to see what could be confusing for someone who is not.  We ran for longer than expected without running into her, but the plan was always that Linda would turn around when she had run the miles she wanted.  Then we found an arrow drawn in the dirt that told us that's exactly what she did.  Good, we'd pick her up on the way. 

It was lucky we turned back when we did.  At the end of the long field, on the ridge, where the trail turns sharply left to head back towards Tyron Mountain, the arrows had been covered with arrows that pointed straight.  I could see Linda not far down that path.  Come back!  I'm not sure where she would have ended up if she kept going.  Hmmmmm....Last time I'd run on a Thursday morning at Bradbury, some mountain bikers had left their race course marked on the east side trails.  I wondered if the extra pick ribbons and now this arrow could be the same thing.  No matter, we were all together now and back on track.

I think every time we stopped, I was busy swatting mosquitoes.  I'm getting better.  I used to swat and let them ruin my experience.  Now I just swat and take shorter breaks.  Stopping off on the summit was better.  The openness and breeze combined to keep the mosquitoes away.  We watched the fog blowing below us.  No mosquitoes to rush us along, just the draw of E & L's.