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.