Embracing Serenity: A Trail Run Reversed

This morning's journey with Goat, my steadfast four-legged companion, led us to the Lewis and Clark trail system in Weldon Spring, a place that holds a special spot in my heart. On a whim, I decided to break the routine and traverse the Lewis loop in the opposite, clockwise direction. This slight deviation from the norm felt like a refreshing change of perspective, a small rebellion against the expected.

As we reached the point where the Lewis and Clark trails diverge, I chose the path less traveled by us lately — the Clark loop. The decision proved serendipitous. Away from my usual favorite bluff on Lewis, I stumbled upon a new bluff accessible from Clark. There, enveloped by the stillness, I paused to meditate. The tranquility was palpable, seeping into my very being and carrying through the rest of my run.

The trails were quiet, with the overcast sky and brisk air deterring most from venturing outdoors. For Goat, this meant the freedom of roaming off-leash, a joy mirrored in his carefree trot beside me. The so-called dreary day provided a solitude on the trails that is rare and cherished, allowing both of us to revel in our surroundings without the usual throng of fellow hikers.

I often find a unique solace in weather that keeps others at bay. Rain, snow, and the chill of the wind have a way of clearing the paths, offering a private audience with nature's splendor. Sharing trail experiences brings me great joy, but the quietude of an empty trail is something I secretly relish.

Returning to civilization brought a different kind of craving — one for the comfort of a good pizza. After indulging, Goat enjoying the crusts and I the rest, we settled into the contented lull of an afternoon nap.

Upon waking, a tinge of guilt over the vanished pizza led me to prepare my latest favorite snack: roasted brussel sprouts. Halved, tossed in olive oil, seasoned with salt and chili flakes, they're a simple, delicious solace.

Comments

Tsunami Warning for Lincoln Nebraska

Tsunami Dawkins Augustine was born at 13:05 on September 26, 2011 at Bryan Hospital in Lincoln, NE. He weighed 8 lbs 5 ounces and measured 20 inches. Mother and baby are doing great!

Kid on a Leash

Has anyone seen these kid leash products around? Sometimes I see them at the zoo, farmers market, or other crowded areas. If a company can make a product that will make a parent feel a little bit safer, there will always be people out there to buy it. When I see one, it reminds me of that scene in Rise of the Planet of the Apes when a leashed Caesar sees a dog on a leash and turns to Will and signs, "Am I a pet?" The idea of the product is that it will keep the child safe and nearby. It is designed to subside the fear that a child will run off or get abducted. I think that if someone is out to abduct a child during the few seconds when a parent is looking away, a leash is a very small deterrent, and likely, not effective. All the abductor would need is a nice pair of scissors or simply their fingers. The latch cannot be that hard to work. If anything, having a leash might give a parent a false sense of security causing them to pay less attention to the child. In that case it

The Poky Little Puppy

Sometimes Jupiter likes to read the classic Golden Book tale, The Poky Little Puppy before bed or nap time. This is another of many children's stories where the intended moral of the story seems to have been surpassed by a message that, I think, conveys the nearly the opposite message. The Poky Little Puppy is a story about five little puppies who dig a hole under the fence to go out for a walk in the wide, wide world. The fifth, poky, puppy is always behind the others. Eventually the poky little puppy smells the dessert that is prepared for the puppies each night. The four other puppies smell it too and hurry home while the poky puppy takes his time. The four puppies then eat their dinner and are scolded by their mother for digging a hole under the fence with the punishment being that they do not get dessert. Then along comes the poky puppy after everyone is asleep. He is met with no dinner but left over dessert, since the four puppies were not able to eat it. This scenario takes

Kirk blAug

Search This Blog