Absorbing

Reading seems to be taking hold. Since the debackle in Virginia where I sponged up two novels in three days, now I am relentlessly killing one after another. Everything was good until this collection of fictional short stories. For once I can read and not fully comprehend what the author is saying, and I have always been told " you know, I have no idea what the hell your writing about". But I decided that as a discipline I will read on and finish, even though.....

Squaw Valley

In a few hours 386 ultra runners will run thru the Sierras in the great Western States 100. Having received 3 buckles there it reminded me of my stay before and after in Tahoe City, the year Rick and I shared a cabin. It was his first leg of the Grand Slam that I had managed to accomplish two years prior. Two years in a row at 4am I would drive in to the start and both times I would sight a large timber wolf running by my vehicle. So needless to say, as I followed Rick in his car toward the start at the Mtn. edge that year I was wondering where was my Wolf? Just as I thought it, out some thirty yards appears a large brown bear. When we pull up to park I ask Rick if he saw the bear, he said" Oh yes sir, it was standing waving at me as I went by". I thought to myself, what omen was this? It would be a Bear of a day!

Thru an Open Window

Once all the doors are locked and all the doors are closed behind you, it's best to look for an escape thru an open window. How did one ever get in this predicament. Who would have guessed. But there is a window and now biding time and then we will spring free. Really you have to wait and wait till things gel for awhile. But I dare say there is a possibility that doing the AT or the PCT over 4200 miles of trail is definitely on Boodini's bucket list, but at our age there is only that damn window!

Every day is an Ultra

You awaken to a new day, not much different than a starting line. After your moving you may be standing atop Chinscraper at Wasatch looking down on all Salt Lake City, or maybe it's gasping with every sixth step up Hopeless Pass, and just maybe, it's one of those going round and round like the same ole same ole, at Run Like the Wind. You gather your patience as the wheels come undone and try to get a grip as the day moves on. You refuel with persistence and determination and hang in there. At the end of the day you face the decision to go on or drop. You hit the nite lights and keep on moving ahead, cause you just don't know what else you can do.

Celebration Summer

It's hot again, and now is the time to make believe that your on vacation. Just like someone let out of school for the summer. Not a care in the world, just go and have a little fun. What would it be like to take the time to hike the whole PCT or even the AT. Think of the planning, buying a bunch of cool gear, planning mail drops to support yourself along the way. After all it is the season of fun now.

Three Sunday's

Like a club run every Sunday Boodini tries not to get beaten, she must run ahead. If by glance the wheels roll closer into a faster gait we go. By the end of the 3.5 mile trek tongues are elongated and the heat take their toll. But what a time to rethink outside the box, because how much time is spent waiting for the next outing and surprise jaunt to come around, hopefully before next Sunday!

Seven Years Ago

I am not a smart man, particularly, but one day, at long last, I stumbled from the woods of my own, and my family's, and my country's past, holding in my hands these truths: that love grows from the rich loam of forgiveness; that mongrels make good dogs; that the evidence of God exists in the roundness of things. This much at least I've figured out. I know this much is true.