A Good Run and Scout Safety Skills

     

Start: Phoenix Farms; Trials 3 & 130 junction

July 4, 2013 - Independence Day

As part of my quest to run Trail 3 from Toivola to Copper Harbour, Michigan this summer, I had the best run of the season and learned a good lesson.

A Good Run: A bit after 8 a.m., Chris dropped Kat and me at the Phoenix Farms Road crossing in the Keweenaw; a spot just north of Phoenix and east of Eagle River. I'd decided to run south, rather than north this day. My plan was to run the 10 miles on this strand of Trail 3 into Copper City, arriving at Mohawk in time for the annual 4th of July Parade. As it turned out, I added an extra 2 miles by taking the 'scenic' trail access 'bypass' to Seneca Lake which caused the unfortunate missing of the Mohawk parade, but made for a good, more interesting, and longer run.

Katabatic on Trail 3 between Phoenix and Mohawk, MI

Boy Scout Benefits:  When I stopped to take this photo of Kat and this beautiful wooded setting, I realized I didn't have an 'emergency strategy' in case I actually had an emergency. I was alone and miles from anything that could be helpful to me, and a few possibilities queued up in, and went through my mind: an aggressive (or, most likely, perceived aggressive) animal, a rolled ankle, a porcupine carcass introducing itself to Kat and more. No strategy or plan did I have for this place where highway sounds were nonexistent, an escape route was not handy-by, cell phone coverage scant at best, and the closest first aide kit miles away. It was then I thought of my concealed handgun we'd bought for this very purpose (to at least FEEL safer but hopefully never use) sitting at home, the first aide kit Michaela had sent with the orange backpack (perfect for this use) sitting at home, and my NYC high powered whistle sitting at home. I had been SO looking forward to, and excited for this remote run, that I missed counting the possibilities (slight as they were) of things that could occur on a run like this and their helpful supports. I did have plenty of liquids, a map, high visibility clothing, and a canister of  "Haltz". And as it turned out, all was quiet (REALLY quiet), and I needed only the liquids and an occasional glance at the map.
But! On that day, and for future reference, I was reminded of the benefits of those boy scout skills!

Since that July day, I've taken more solitary remote runs through the woods and down the trails of

From Trail 3 access: Seneca Lake outside of Mohawk, MI

the Keweenaw Peninsula while getting closer to the end of the trail. Each run has been great - being so deep and alone in the woods makes for a pretty special feeling. But on July 4th, I have to say my appreciation for the scout safety skills I'd learned years ago with my then young son Caleb were refreshed, and a memory that I'll hold as the best of the season was made.

Adventure Mine in January '13

Kat and Kate at Adventure Mine in the winter

In the deep of last winter, Kat and I took to the Adventure Mine trails outside of Greenland, MI.This mine operated from 1850 to 1920 and is one of the best preserved mines of its age. It was opened on existing prehistoric excavations on Adventure Bluff, with the prehistoric workings dating back to about 5,000 years.
The copper that was mined from this site was only in pure native metallic form; common masses weighing up to several tons.
The trails were untouched with soft fallen snow.

I lost my camera, double backed time and again, and eventually found it...thanks to my faithful friend.

White Wind Kennels

Just beyond the red pines, you'll find White Wind Kennels; so named for the primarily white dogs who have been part of my life for the past 12+ years. Some of my best pals are growing old now, some have left the yard, some have left my life, but all have left an imprint that will never cease, never shallow. I revel at all they have taught me and the honesty and integrity with which they have lived their lives. I should be so forthright, sincere and abiding.

Shelter or Storm

Today I ran in a race. It was a negative 3 morning, the race was a short 3.2 miles down the main street of Houghton, over the bridge and back again. Straight-forward. The sun was bright and the wind was calm -no sign of a storm in the morning sky.

As I ran with my friend and talked with others along the way I noticed that - although we were having fun - most forth-coming comments were about what we didn't seem to have enough of. Enough warmth in our hands and feet, enough hydration to make us happy, enough strength to get up Tuzcuco Street without walking at least part of the way, enough speed, enough of the right clothes so as not to be too hot or too cold. And on and on.

And I had a thought about shelter and how it is such a good, good thing. My warm house, my family and caring friends, marshmellows. Having just enough of this or of that is shelter. It makes for feelings of satisfaction and safety.

After it was over and I was home sitting next to a warm fire, I wished I'd been more straight-forward. I wished I would have noticed the really good threads woven into the day and put them into some simple words for my friends.

We really do have the opportunity to be a shelter or a storm to just about everyone we meet.

Next time! I'll work on that.

As long as there is snow...

As long as there is snow, there's bound to be someone somewhere running dogs through it. These days many of us are out there more often than not. December 1st will bring the reopening of the woods and trails, a close to deer season and that will put a smile on my face and an extra spring in the steps of these pups! Today was a good winter day - cold, calm and quiet. Boy those trails are looking good.

Muck Run 2010

Muck Run 2010...no ordinary run. Blue skies.Prom dresses. False eye-lashes. Crisp air. Ketchup and Halloween paint. Tieras and sashes. Crazy costumes all around. Dry trails and not a lot of muck...but so much fun!

Breckenridge

In 1859, minors found and mined the gold out of them-thar mountains and subsequently establiblished what would become known as the the town of Breckenridge, CO. It's a town established on the incredibly back-breaking hard work of a few men and women and now thrives on the 144 ski slopes carved along the peaks and even more shops and restaurants lining the short streets of town. Drive down Colorado hyw #9 and, lik me, you'll find yourself in the midst of it.

BLUE MOON

Every seven-eight years or so, a Blue Moon appears in the heavens, on the last night of 2009 - it was in full view. There was a little mysticism and a little magic in the air as it shone through the trees and over the fields; its gaze was captivating. The origin of the name is steeped in folklore - but it's said that when the Blue Moon occurred, it spoke to those in its light (- and it apparently kept the livestock in line).
As we said goodbye to 2009 we were able to enjoy the light of the Blue Moon, the last of this decade's.

What a sight to help us celebrate New Year's Eve.

Things I Didn't Plan On Doing

This is the last day of 2009 - tomorrow I'll welcome 2010 into my life. The year has a nice ring to it & I'm looking forward to spending the next 365 days with it. I think these days will be a gift - I hope to treat each one as such.
2009 brought things I never planned on doing or expected to have happen, but for which I am mostly thankful.

• I ran what I chose to consider an 'unrace' sled dog race this year and felt good with how it turned out.
  
• I watched my sister bravely face a giant and stand stronger every day. Seeing her courage has been the most inspirational thing I have ever witnessed or been akin to.
  
• In my husband and children are my treasures unspeakable. We've been blessed with time together in many places and for many occasions. These times have been the most unexpected events of the year.
  
• Abigail came home in April for a long weekend. My pleasure was in caring for her as she she did a little convalescing . :)
  
• Michaela graduated and was pinned in May in East Lansing - the family gathered to celebrate her long, sought-after accomplishment. She glowed - she truly glowed that night!
  
• Caleb graduated from RISD in RI the same month and we all, save Michaela who by this time was in the jungles of Ghana working in a clinic, traveled to share in his graduation ceremony and the magnum opus of his RISD career - his final show, "The Value of Nothing". Seeing him in his element - saturated with his talent, accomplishments and his compatriots was cause for me to nearly burst with pride.
• In June Abigail found her niche - a place all her own - as she started OT school in Morgantown, WV.
  
• With pleasure I had the privilege to spend two weeks in Colorado with my sister Lorraine as she started down, what would be, a grueling, long and deep journey toward health and recovery from Cancer.
• Chris came and we worked at perfecting the ubiquitous Mohito, took some walks and moved some rocks. We talked about the perfect chocolate chip cookie and more. So refreshing and relaxing.
  
• My devoted dog, Nike, left me with warm memories to cherish and feel for, what I know will be, years to come.
  
• In August, we took a spin down to Tulum, Mexico, to visit Caleb, Marci & Michaela. I met some amazing people -Mayans mostly, climbed to places so high my knees weakened and my head spun, and dove into the deep, warm waters of the Caribbean to catch a glimpse of a sea turtle and to say I did it. Wonderful Margaritas.
  
• Serendipitously the treasures of my life - the ones I love so much - came home for Christmas and we spent days playing games, making and eating scrumptious food, watching it snow, talking by the fire, watching it snow, snowshoeing, taking photos of wiener dogs (5 in all), celebrating the most wonderful day of the year together, and watching it snow.
  
• This year I slowed down, read more books, took longer walks and shorter runs.
• I've grown as a teacher and my work is something I am proud of. From my most challenging students I've learned unexpected lessons and achieved a little bit more wisdom that hasn't come easily.
• For 2010...I hope to pay attention. That's it...I want to pay attention and attend to the things 'I didn't plan on doing.'

HAPPY NEW YEAR - enjoy your days and treat them as the gifts they are.

The World's Best

Nike - the first and always the best.

Stopping by the Woods...

STOPPING BY THE WOODS ON A SNOWY EVENING
by Robert Frost (1923)


Whose woods these are I think I know.
His house is in the village though;
He will not see me stopping here
To watch his woods fill up with snow.

My little horse must think it queer
To stop without a farmhouse near
Between the woods and frozen lake
The darkest evening of the year.

He gives his harness bells a shake
To ask if there is some mistake.
The only other sound's the sweep
Of easy wind and downy flake.

The woods are lovely, dark and deep.
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep,
And miles to go before I sleep.

Today-Tomorrow

TODAY my friend and "neighbor through the field", Peggy, came by with a quart canning jar full of homemade turkey/wild rice soup and a little bag of her whole wheat rolls - she said it's to speed my recovery from this modern day influenza infestation I've been spending so much time with. It's my first food of the day so I thought to have it in the sun-soaked living room by the fire and Christmas tree. Yes, I said sun-soaked - that is indeed the state of my living room right now. I haven't seen the sun in days - I think it's been six - and what a pleasure it is. Everything seems to wake up - including the snow - it's almost welcoming. I think tomorrow I'll take it up on its welcoming gesture and spend some time with it. I'll put everything warm on, snow shoes on my feet and a dog at my side(most probably Cooper) and walk through the field and down the trail we call Nike's - it connects Marci's Meadow to the Garden Field. I'll walk through small saplings, past mature hardwoods, a respectable white pine and along the lower marsh. It'll be very quiet and I'll look for Mountain Ash berries and cedar boughs for my flower boxes on the porch. I think that will be a perfect thing to do TOMORROW.

...and then the snow came..

It started snowing five days ago, and it has stopped only intermittently. From the forecast it will continue to snow through the next millennium. I've been home for four of those five days with what I've been told is the H1N1 flu virus. It's one of those virus's that doesn't mess around - it's stubborn and rife in its symptoms. I've had time to mostly sleep, drink those clear liquids, and yesterday I tried watching the Food Channel - it didn't work out so well. Being home and rather immobilized allows for the quadrupeds in my life to get some extra shut-eye with me; they're quite pleased that I've stopped moving around and have been settled.
Michaela is moving to Mount Pleasant today, Abigail is creating an accommodation for an O.T. case study and Caleb is in Providence rigorously gathering all he needs for his next show in Seattle in January. Marci is in Mexico - it's warm, sunny and calm down there. I can visual the white sand beaches and feel the soft ocean breeze.
Here, it continues to snow, and in actual fact, it's been really nice to watch winter take hold this year - as it does every year - but this year I've been able to stop and pay attention to it , even if it's been a forced halt and 'come to attention' to this detail and interesting phenomenon of the season.
I wish you a wonderful day.

The 1431st

On Tuesday, November 24th, soldiers from 3rd Platoon, 1431st Engineer Company (Sapper) Michigan Army National Guard, arrived home following a mission in Afganistan.

For 10-months, the 120 engineers from the 1431st performed more than 200 missions in Khost and Paktika provinces. Their primary mission was traveling some of the most dangerous roads in Afghanistan searching for IEDs; the number one threat to Coalition and Afghan forces. Up to their last mission on their last day together they successfully located and destroyed live IEDs.
According to U.S.Army 1st Sgt. Robert Jeannote, the 1st Sgt. for the 1431st Engineers and a native of Hubbell, MI, the unit would be awarded more than 40 purple hearts for acts of courage during this mission.

There was elated excitement as we gathered in the school's courtyard. I lined up with classes of Calumet school children - many waving flags or balloons, holding "Welcome Home" banners and giving cheers of thanks and for many shouts of thanksgiving, as the men - many of whom are Copper Country natives - arrived to participate in the discharge ceremony in the Calumet gymnasium. As I looked at the faces of those young men I saw a story behind each one - a story to be told of experiences and people, and of days that would add a new layer to who they are today and will be tomorrow.
I was so proud to be an American that day.

Thanksgiving

Today is Thanksgiving Day. I really love the tradition of this holiday and I especially love all the flavors of the traditional meal. I spent the day making pies to take to a gathering of friends in the evening. Rather than a simply succulent roasted turkey with all of the trimmings - including stuffing, which is my all time favorite part of the meal, we noshed on prime rib, mashed potatoes, vegetable casseroles and chocolate cheese cake. I felt the customary apple and pumpkin pies must be had as well, they were part of my contribution to the meal. Later in the evening the musicians in the group played mandolins and guitars for a hearty hour or two. It was a wonderful evening.
Blessings to you all.

One Great Run

Today was one of those days when everything worked the way you always hope it will. This was one cold, rain-soaked, snow-pelleted, wind-blown day and it was great. Katabatic and Memphis led with Red and Smokey making the corrections and keeping (Memphis) doing the right thing (she's always ready to go and always ready to try to turn the team around to take them home).Without Nike's confidence and enthusiasm beside her, Kat did her best - I was so proud of her again. Taku-Chinook, Zephyr-Matanuska were perfect! Whoo-hoo!

Halloween

Tonight we had Halloween!
In the past 31 years we've had 3 Trick-or-Treaters knocking on our door. But tonight (!) thanks to the recruitment efforts of "my neighbor through the back field, Peggy" we had 13!! Here are four of them...very cute!

Nothing Gold Can Stay

by Robert Frost

Nature's first green is gold,
Her hardest hue to hold,
Her early leaf's a flower;
But only so an hour.
Then leaf subsides to leaf.
So Eden sank to grief,
So dawn goes down to day.
Nothing gold can stay.