The Difference a Day Makes

Here's a few from our last day of rain out of Mitchell Canyon, and the following day, same trail. Yes, WA family, I am posting a lot of pictures of....well...water. Puddles and streams.  They've been a long time coming.  This was my first run  with actual flowing water in the creek, and it was not only beautiful, but sounded so nice to run next to!

 This was the first time there has been water in the creek at the parking area in a long, long time. Not only was there water, there was a lot of water!! (Not from the hose! I think they were pumping water out from somewhere into the creek)

 Yes, I still get all giddy when there's a good puddle to run through!

 After some research, I do believe this is a Horsehair Worm. Interestingly, they grow inside insects, and when they have matured, and they sense moisture, they leave the insect. It swam very smoothly, like a snake, until I picked it up to get a better look at it trying to decide what it was. It was at least a foot long.

 I knew better than to go under it.

 Can you spot the blurry rain drops? It opened up and poured on me.

 Way more trail junk than normal.

 Hiding from the rain, if you look to the left of the picture you can sort of tell how hard it was raining once you ventured out from under the Oak Tree.

 And the very next day, it was beautiful out-

 The next morning the tree was gone. There was an elderly couple slowly making their way out the trail, and when I ran back in, they stopped me to ask how much further until the downed tree? We don't get many downed trees on the main trail here, so when it happens it's exciting and word travels. Unfortunately, I had to break the bad news that the tree was there yesterday, but had already been cleaned up.

Armed with my park pass, and looking for a daily 4 mile outing, you'll be seeing a lot of pictures from this trail.  Sounds odd to cut back to 4, but there is a method to my madness. A reboot of sorts back to 6 years ago and what got me started on this amazing ride we've been on. Plus, I'll be able to do 2 a days now that Brian and I will again be able to run together on his lunch break since he'll be here in town again.

More of the Trail Friend

 

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We are starting week 2 of Winter Break. I find the more my kids do, the less pictures I have of them. Not that they aren't having fun, it's just that they are off with friends and I'm not there to capture the moments.  Sophie has spent a day with friend, as has Myles. Emma spent 5 days up in Truckee with friends and snowboarded for the first time. I did get sent a few pictures from her trip I'll share later. We've totally rearranged 2 rooms, Emma's and the family room.  We braved Toys R Us the day before Christmas with Sophie and Myles. We've had a few dinners with friends.  We've seen the new Annie. There was also another movie at the drive in.  This week, it's a big week. It's Brian's last week at his current, not loved, job.  Today was his last Monday. His last week of commuting into the city. His last week away from the company he really enjoys working for, AAA. Technically it's CSAA, which is just the CA AAA. There will be some celebrating this Friday!! And also some bowling and ice-skating in the mix.

The Beast, Mud, and Water

Some pictures from yesterday's adventure in Castle Rock Park. If you want them in the order they happened, start from the bottom (sorry) -

 Wondering if this will impact Brazen's run in April up Sunset??