Road Closed

I knew I wouldn't be on time for the 8 am run as soon as I saw the road closed sign.  Hmmm, was it just from my approach to Brad or would those coming from the south be blocked, too?  I debated my options, but arrived at what I figured was a win/win.  I'd park at the Lawrence Rd parking near Tryon.  That way I could run at Brad and maybe hook up with other TMs.  No heading to Pineland for me!

Wow!  Brad hasn't been that wet in a long time.  A river was practically flowing down Tryon.  The going was slow.  There was mud and some ice.  My feet were instantly wet and cold.  They would take a few miles to warm up, but, even with repeated dippings, they did.  When I didn't see any TMs early into the run, I assumed they were all on the east side.  My detour had me starting a little late; if they were heading out the connector, they'd be well on their way.

I think there were three cars in the Bradbury lot when I arrived.  The Unstrung hero's car stood right out.  I didn't recognize the others.  I thought I might have noticed a Hoka track on the Northern Loop trail.  She wasn't around. Hmmm, how to let her know I was there.  I took some toilet paper from the out house and used it like a ribbon to adorn a few pine boughs that I put on her windshield, using the wipers to keep it all in place.  I was pretty sure she would attribute that to me.  I was totally oblivious to her message she'd left.  In the dirt, right next to Xar's CAR car door, she scratched out a message indicating she'd be running counter clockwise.

I decided that people always head out in the Bruiser direction (totally not true), so I'd head the other direction to try to intercept.  Luckily, I found Xar playing in the water early on Knight's woods.  She was happy I wasn't dead.  What would be my funeral plans?  Totally would employ the Peace, Corpse!  So we continued our runs with water play and trail clearing thrown in.  Some places we pussy-footed around water, most places we plowed right through.

There were no mountain bikers out.  They can't handle french fries like we can and, apparently, that's not all.  I realized that 15 miles was going to take a long time at this rate.  Maybe I'd go by time instead.  Xar had no time constraints.  When I decided it was time to head back to my car, she decided to come with.  I was happy to have her along for company, but figured that meant I'd be solo at E&Ls.

I pointed out what I'd thought was Partridge Berries.  Xar corrected me.  It was Wintergreen.  Hmmm.  It didn't have berries.  Did I call Wintergreen the wrong thing all my life or do Partridge Berries look like Wintergreen?  I was very confused.  To my surprise, not all of the flora that I learned in my childhood was correct.  Was this another example?  I said Partridge Berries seem to be found in places with Running Pine.  I told Xar about Campfire Girls.  On Tryon, we saw Partridge Berries.  They were similar in leaf, but definitely different.  Running Pine was all around.  We also saw this cool moss that looked like mini ferns.  Oh, somewhere on Ragan we saw a dueling hippo and alligator.  It was a crazy run.

 Xar decided it was time to head back when we reached the place you could choose to head up to the quarry or down to Lawrence Road.  Heading back to my car, I realized I could get to 12.5 if I went a little further.  So I went up the hill like I was going to go to the power lines.  Well, I'd just go to Coyote Corner.  Just as I was about to turn around, I noticed a huge black cat.  HUGE!.  I called, "kitty, kitty" in my kitty voice, but he gave one look and took off on a dead run.  I thought if it was close to dark, I'd have sworn he was a panther.  I stopped watching him.  What was that noise?  The river!  I decided I should continue to the bridge to see the source.  Very cool.  On the return, I realized I could still hear the raging water just before I headed down the hill to the car.

At Edna and Lucy's, I ordered a cup of soup, hot tea, and a chocolate chip cookie.  Mmmm.  Xar came in before I was done!  What a great finish :D