Lost Scout and Other Odd Things

Tuesday I had appointments in the afternoon, but wasn't worried about it; I was only going to do 6 to 8 miles at Riverlands.  Sigh, I wanted to start a little earlier than I did, but I still left myself plenty of time to run, drive home, and shower before the water treatment guy showed up at 2pm.

Clark and Jason's cars were in the parking lot.  I left them a heart between their cars in case I didn't run into them, but I smiled at the possibility!

I prefer the single track but will do the ATV trail if necessary.  Tues, stepping onto Homestead, I was pleased to find I could start on the single track.  Always a nice choice, but definitely preferable to the immediate up on the ATV trail.

When I reached the river, it was clear that I wasn't going to be doing an island hopping; the ice had melted along the edges.  I bet if I could clear the water, the ice would hold me further out, but I wasn't going to test that hypothesis.

So all the way out Homestead to the ATV trail.  From there, I decided to see if Fox Run would support me.  Yes!  I just needed to avoid the previous post holes and think light thoughts ;)  Though there had been even less traffic on Deer Path, it seemed like it was going to mostly support my weight too.  I had to pay attention to the blazes in many stretches, because it really hadn't seen much use.  I bet Jason was one of the very few to have been on it this winter.

The temperature was warming and the sun getting strong.  Going was much slower now since post holing meant going pretty deep down.  That really sucks when you're trying to push off to go up.  Still I was okay time wise.  Then I came to where Deer Path would keep going to connect to Bradford Loop, but I wanted to follow the "Deer Path Extension" that Riverlands 100 will take.  The park does not have blazes, but Jason had tied blue ribbons on trees to mark.  Since, with the snow cover, you can't see the trail, these ribbons were key.

Soon, actual deer trails were making it hard.  They looked like real trails.  A few times I had to back track to my last blue ribbon, then look hard to pick up the next so I would know where to go.  Needless to say, I was now going very slowly.  Then I couldn't find another ribbon.  I had a general idea where I thought the trail would head.  I decided to strike out in that direction to see if I could spot any ribbons.  After what seemed like 1/2 hour of wandering, it seemed like I better retrace my steps (I was counting on this, since I should be able to pick up my microspike prints) back to the last blue ribbon.  The glare on the snow made this difficult.  Again, very slow going.

Finally!!  The last blue ribbon.  I didn't think I could find the way forward, but going back the way I came was going to make me very late.  My choice was to head back to Deer Path to take it out to Bradford Loop.  Even though it had very little traffic, there were blazes.  Once on the Bradford Loop, I should be able to pick up the pace on the ATV trail.  Still, I called the water guy.  Left a voicemail that said I would not be there for 2, but could probably make 2:30 (of course, I had a dentist appointment at 3...).

Yay!!  I popped out onto Bradford in no time.  Sigh of relief.  I start running at a good clip, only to come to a clearing.  Shit, shit, shit!  How could I have turned the wrong direction from Deer Path.  I know where I should head, but this clearing is pretty far down Bradford loop.  I turned around and picked up my pace even more.  Somehow I missed Deer Path.  If I'd have seen it, I would have known that I really had gone the correct direction to begin with, from which side of the trail it was on.  Sigh.  I just didn't realize how far down Bradford Hill it was to Deer Path.  I thought it was much closer.  I ran a good chunk till I came to a clearing that I knew was leading in the wrong direction.  Dumbass!!!  Turn around again.  As I was running, I was pretty certain I was now headed in the right direction, but took out my phone to bring up google maps.  I saw my little triangle heading towards the river.  Confirmation!!  I looked at my Garmin.  I was going to end up with nearly 12 miles.  I was also going to be pushing getting home by 2:30.  Definitely had some motivation to keep up the pace.

Clark and Jason were gone when I got back to the lot.  They left me a stone heart, but in my rush, I didn't even see it :(  Even though I was rushing to get home, I had to stop and snap a pic.  I saw a nanny goat with a kid nursing on the side of the road.  By the time I stopped and got out my camera, they stopped what they were doing to see what I was up to.  I certainly hope they stayed out the road the rest of the day and the rest of their lives, for that matter!!!

I made it home by 2:27.  The guy was already looking at the exhaust stack for our radon.  Everything was fine.  No time for a shower before the dentist or to eat lunch.  I had grabbed a coffee and a crappy slice of pizza at the Cumberland Farms when it looked like I was ok for 2:30 meeting.

Wednesday was slated for my long run again.  Xar was going to join.  I was hoping to start by 9am to have the trail be firm for more of the run.  Somehow I didn't get to the lot till 9:15.  What is wrong with me?  Must be my membership to the WRRS, sigh.  Though fellow member, Xar, was already there and just heading up the hill to warm up, but saw me drive in.  There was one other vehicle in the lot, a red pickup with a dude sitting in it.  While I stripped off  my hoodie, put on my spikes, waited for my garmin to capture, Xar and I chatted.  When we headed out, pickup dude was still sitting in his truck.

We had lots to catch up on and there was my story of getting lost to tell.  We decided to start on Homestead, but, once back to the ATV trail, to stick with it.  The ATV trail was fabulous.  Lucky spring time runners!!!  When we got to around Bradford Loop, Xar thought she should start back; she wasn't going to do 20.  After adding many miles to my yesterday run, I wasn't going to do all 20 either, but I was thinking 16 - 18.  When I asked if she wanted to see what made me think I went the wrong way on Bradford, she agreed to add that distance and then we added a little more anyway.  It's usually not to hard to convince Xar to add miles :)

As we headed back in, the trail was getting mushy.  My newly coined snow coney term applied.  It made some of the ups way more effort than they should be, but that's spring running.  I decided to run her all the way back to the cars.  I'd forgotten my phone and, since I was losing her, wanted to have it with me.

Well, when we reached the parking lot, I was semi-disturbed to see that same dude sitting in the red pickup.  It didn't seem right.  He was going to be the only other car after Xar left.  I decided to go home to finish my miles.  Not ideal, but I wouldn't be worrying or creeped out the rest of my run.  Besides, I was going to have to walk Piper anyway.  It just made the run that much harder by adding the drive between the miles.  I ended with 17.04.  Fine.  Here are some pics Xar took along our run.  So very lost not having my phone with me.

Nice vertebrae on the trail

New beaver work. This wasn't here the day before

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with Xar with me, I did go on the river a bit

Xar

Thursday was a day off.  Saw the acupuncturist 💓 Definitely helped a twinge that developed at Riverlands.  Friday, some Pineland Farm roads with Squirrel before a RD's meeting.  Then rail to trail group run in Augusta today, led by Xar.