The Photo Album Behind My Eyes

Sunday was an incredible day on the trail.  Snow had fallen and the trail was a glistening, powder sugar covered wonderland.  In fact, towards the end of my 15 mile run, I plopped down and made a snow angel overlooking the reservoir.   A perfect snow angel on the edge of the trail providing trail magic to whomever might next traverse the path.  I promise this is true, although I don't have a single picture to prove it.  And while I would like to say that doesn't bother me, it kind of does.  Because I had my phone, and I did indeed take pictures.  But it is a new phone, and somehow, while uploading the pics onto the computer, they disappeared.  No digital record of my run, no evidence of my playfulness or heirloom of hours spent dancing in the woods.  Why, why does that matter???  I did it - I was there!  I was lucky enough to see the snow covered hills, the "dippin dots" phenomenon that made the snow look like tiny little balls of Styrofoam.   I slipped on the frozen puddles, and felt the cold down my neck and back as I laid down and flapped my arms and legs to make an angel.  I smelled the icy dampness, caught my foot on covert roots and rocks hidden by snow, and slid once, twice, three times on steep inclines.  But somehow, without the camera documentation, it seems somehow unworthy to post.  I don't like that.  I don't like that without pictures, my run doesn't seem as important - like it was wasted.  Like I need a do-over (with pictures) to make it official.  I often look judgmentally on my kids as they view their world through their phones.  The don't look at things, they take pictures of them.  And that makes me sad.  More so because I am realizing that I am doing it too.  So, while I know I will still take pictures, I think my resolution this year will be to "see" the world using my eyes more, and my camera less.  I feel certain that thinking back and remembering my snowy run will give me a better picture than any phone can provide.

Let's Get it Started

2015 looks promising if the first week is any indication....in 4 days I was able to go out three times to play and climb and run in the woods.  As per usual, the Evil Sisters started the New Year with a Harpers Ferry frolic.  After the last few years, I can't imagine starting January 1st any other way.  What starts out as a bleary-eyed drive soon becomes an invigorating scamper along the trails of Maryland Heights and Stone Fort.  The views are spectacular, and the company even better.  End it all with hot soup and lots of goodies, and it is a wondrous promise of a new beginning.

the climb to Stone Fort

the original building blocks

some original evil sisters too

The very next day, I was out at "my home trail", breathing in the beauty and running another 10 miles with some running buddies from ERR.  Slowly but surely I am convincing road runners to try out the trails!

the dogs are easy to convince

After a day of rest, I capped off the end of winter break with a glorious mountain run in the Massanuttens.  When Pam called Saturday morning to ask if I would like to come, I can only imagine how eager I must have sounded.

 

 

 

 

Even with the rain pounding on the roof when my alarm went off at 3:30 am, I could hardly contain my excitement for a trip to the mountains.  And the day just got better.  The temperature started off cool, but after a mile of climbing, we were both shedding clothing like crazy.  It wasn't until we got to the top of the mountain that the wind made us thankful for tying our jackets around the waist rather than leaving them in the car.  But that was short lived, as the more we ran, the warmer we became.  The views were spectacular.

With the clouds hanging over the trees, we really felt on top of the world.  The precarious footing on damp rocks kept us on our toes, but we were sure to stop and take in the peacefulness of where we were.  Other than a lone group of hikers and a mountain biking couple late in the run, we had the mountain all to ourselves.  The day grew warmer and our smiles grew bigger as we splashed through creek beds and slid up and down rocks.

We were having such a good time we added an extra two miles on the pink trail before heading back to the trail-head where we parked.  The downhill finish was exhilarating and left me breathless.  So amazing!  After a quick trip to grab coffee and change clothes, we headed home, ready for work and a new year full of anticipation for more days like this on the trail!