No “new” members showed this morning for the OCTR “new member” run. The founder, Jessica Deline, (& her lovely pup), Sherree, and myself showed for this brisk, cool morning run (might I add, gorgeous as well with blue-skies-and-big-white-puffy-clouds run).
Jessica lead the way, navigating with her Smart Phone. We made our way down to Trabuco Arroyo Trail in the foothills of the Saddleback Mountains. And several creek crossings we made. Since I knew about the creek crossings ahead of time, I wore an old pair of shoes and tramped right through the water. It was ice cold, delightfully cool splashing against my legs. Running in wet shoes and socks is something you just have to get used to. Once you do, you don’t even notice discomfort. (I just didn’t want to put my newer shoes through the shock : )
Trabuco Arroyo Trail creek crossings:
From Trabuco Arroyo Jessica lead us across the highway up another trail that I’ve never run. She showed us the elevation profile (on her phone) that we’d run so far and it was hard to believe we had already climbed so much. Sherree laughed and exclaimed, “That’s our elevation profile!!! I thought that was the stock market!”
The views of Saddleback Mountains were crystal clear. The valley views were immense and lush green. There was more climbing also, which made me a very, very happy gal. I have become, it seems oddly, an elevation junkie. Jessica’s dog ran along side me for much of this climb. I couldn’t believe what a great trail dog she is! And a beautiful chocolate brown coat she has! (I bonded with this pup faster than I have my own new puppy : ( (I still haven’t gotten over the loss of Daisy).
The complete loop back to our cars totaled a little over seven miles. I headed off for some more miles as these wonderful trail ladies drove off. I thought that I’d put in about five additional miles, so I headed back to Trabuco Arroyo for more trails and some more pictures.
Trabuco Arroyo in its glorious autumn color:
When I hit the sandy trail beneath the toll road, I decided to head back earlier than planned. As today’s our youngest son’s birthday. And it’s also my oldest son’s taekwondo long day. I thought I’d give my husband a break in not having to drive all the boys to taekwondo, and I wanted to say Happy Birthday to our now seven-year-old.
What a joyful run on this cool autumn day.
Happy Birthday Baby!
