The Luckiest Runner Around

The other day I decided to run with my camera.  I truly love to run.  It is great exercise, it’s social if you have a friend to join you, it’s good thinking time if you are alone, and around here it’s just darned pretty.

I like to run off-road on trails.  I’m lucky enough to live very close to our town’s bike path.  The paved part of the trail is about seven miles long.  There are miles of trails off of the paved part that meander through the woods.  That’s where I like to run.  I can drive five minutes to the start of the trail or I can run through my neighborhood to a semi-secret trail that leads to the official bike trail start.

Let’s go!  This picture was taken while running in front of my house.  (Note to self: Stop running to take the picture!)

Less than a half mile later we get to go off-road.  Look at the pretty trees!

This trail borders Ivy Creek.  This resident has built a viewing area.

Isn’t this serene?

This tree fell down in a recent storm.  Climbing over it is the only way around!

Flowers planted along the bank of the creek really make it feel like spring.

Here’s the official start of the trail.  I can’t tell you how many times I’ve driven to this very spot.

Now let’s run on the official trail.  Ed Page was a professor at a local college and a well known naturalist.  He was instrumental in turning this area into a bike trail and nature preserve.

There’s a lovely cancer garden at the start of the trail.

This is the official bike path.  Many like to run on this surface, but the flat stretches bore me death.

I get into the woods as quickly as I can. 

This trail parallels the Blackwater Creek.

There are wildflowers along the trail to be enjoyed this time of year.

Violet:

 

Toothwort:

Toad Lily:

 

May Apples:

Swinging bridges are fun to run over.  This one is fairly new and was built extra high so that a flood won’t destroy it.

Pretty view:

The bike trail used to be train tracks. 

You never know what you’ll see on the trail.  This group celebrated Easter weekend with a bunny run.

Back to the Awareness Garden for cancer.

People ring “Lalla’s Bell” when they’ve completed a treatment, conquered cancer, or lost a loved one.

The pavers honor loved ones lost to cancer.

Can you see why I’m the luckiest runner around?  Who wouldn’t want to run when this is your scenery?