Long runs

I am starting to get a little bit of feedback on what I have written.  So far the most common observation has been, "Wow, how can you run 6 miles?"

The answer is that I find each run fascinating.

I was raised to believe that saying "I'm bored!" tells the listener far more about the limitations of the bored person than it does about the environment.

Start of run.  67.5 degrees F.  Dew point of 67.0 degrees.  I might get wet.

 I carried my camera in my pocket and took pictures of some of the highlights from today's run.

Laguna rose

Sweet peas

Close-up of sweet peas

Yacht club

Crown Vetch

Therese Bugnet holding her own in Reed Canary Grass

White oak, 36" diameter.  Storm damage.  You ignore Mother Nature's tempests at your own peril.

Butter-n-eggs

Chamomile.  Dominant species for 20 yards along edge of wheat field.

Close-up of chamomile

Lodging wheat in Farmer Dennis's field.  He has a heavy crop and last night's rain and wind blew it down where the sprayer's tires had gone and weakened the stalks.  Then their neighbors toppled like dominoes when deprived of their mutual support.

This little creek is near the headwaters of the Thornapple river.  It drains to the north-west.

These are worth a dime in Michigan.  I collect them when walking but not when running.

Hare-bells, Day lilies, Datura, Hollyhocks, farm implements and a Rottweiler (upper left corner, peaking around bush).  What is not to adore?

Almost half way.  This is where I drop down to a walk and drink my electrolyte mix.  I have seen zero vehicle traffic so far.

Day lily

Hops climbing a guy wire.

1962 Dodge Lancer.  Be the first on your block

I can get you the phone number if you are interested.

A small church

It is reassuring to learn that I am not the only older citizen who appreciates the benefits of a high fiber diet.

Another, choice Perennial Sweet Pea.  In cooler weather these are the palest of shell pink.  As you can see from my hand, they are monsterously large.  Sadly, I have yet to get their seed to grow on my place.

Pawpaws

American plums growing along Spicer Creek.  Spicer Creek flows to the east and empties into the Grand River.  These are on Farmer Edmond's property and I want to get his permission to pick them when they are ripe.

This shot is to give you a sense of what these roads look like as you run down them.

Dogbane.  This plant is related to milkweed and is much sought after by every insect that harvests nectar.  There is approximately 75 feet of this as the dominant species (probably one clone that spread by roots) along a corn field.  I smelled this, turned around and then identified it.

I think I can get somebody a good price on this classic auto.  It is a Cadillac, built when they were so large they were issued their own zip code.

Finish line.  Five and a half mile mark.  Walking the last half mile really helps me recover.

Dry patch

End of run.  Made it without getting rained on.  14 vehicles spotted in one hour and 20 minutes.  This run took a little longer because of the photos taken.

I find this run and all my other routes enchanting.  It is a story that unfolds a little at a time.

If you are running too fast to notice these kinds of things, well, you are running too fast.

I was raised to believe that saying "I'm bored!" tells the listener far more about the limitations of the bored person than it does about the environment.  My parents raised me well.

(Thanks, Dennis)