January 1 2012. New Years Day. A day filled with hope and resolution. How ridiculous to break a resolution on the first day! Which explains why I'm running on a dirt path at night, beside the dark Deschutes River. It wasn't supposed to be this way. My intent was to get up early and get this run done and over with, so I could enjoy the rest of the day. If you consider hobbling around with aching feet and sore muscles enjoyable.
Resigned to the dark night, I leave my home and descend an access trail to the Canal Trail, a trail that follows a water canal out to the dry sagebrush. At an intersection I suddenly turn to the left, and descend down to the River Trail. I feel a twinge of guilt as I told my family I would only run the flat easy and safe Canal Trail. They worry about my night runs, my kids especially. It is a vague fear they have, difficult for them to articulate exactly what it is, though there is some mumblings about zombies. But at two miles long, the Canal Trail is short and uninteresting. The River Trail though leads to possibilities. I can access the Meadows trail, or run on Skyliners road leading to the Cascades Mountain Range, or head into the maze of the half built Tetherow housing development, or continue following the river downstream. Mindful of news reports on Gray Wolves and a pack of Coyotes, I opt for the lights of downtown.
A half moon hangs lows in the frosty sky. I cross a foot bridge that carries me over the icy river water. My headlamp illuminates a dirt path covered with pine needles and bits of wood. Though only 5:30 pm the trail is dark and empty. My dog runs close to my side, reluctant to venture far from the safety of Master. She has terrible night sight and often mistakes boulders for something alive and sinister with fearsome teeth. Master will protect her.
I keep my headlamp on until we emerge from the woods and into the light of the Old Mill shopping district. Light from lampposts and ambient moonlight is enough for me to spot my way through the path. I arrive at the first footbridge that could could lead me back in a loop to home. Impulsively I keep going into downtown Bend. Christmas lights decorating the riverside homes are burning bright and light up the dark water beautifully. I go through downtown, following the trail that hugs the river and am soon plunged back into the darkness of night. I switch on the headlamp to illuminate my way. How does one make their way through life without a guiding light? The headlamp is my guide, I shall not want, I shall lay down beside gentle waters. The trail crunches beneath my feet, the frost on the close cropped grass breaking under my weight. Sawyers Park is to my right and I contemplate lying down in the glade, bathed in frosty moonlight. A high escarpment is to my left, where mountain lions hide in wait. I am a Gray Wolf though, not afraid of the dark or that which hides in it. I am sleek fast and hungry, a missile ready to strike. "Ain't that right, little doggie?" My dog looks at me startled and scampers ahead a few feet.
At the 1:35 mark I cross a deserted road. I stop and look at the night sky, the stars so far away. My belly is so cold to the touch, that night air chilling the skin. The warm glow of nearby palatial mansions call to me. How wonderful at night to lock yourself up securely in the light and warmth of home. I turn back to the trail and start on my journey home.
Resigned to the dark night, I leave my home and descend an access trail to the Canal Trail, a trail that follows a water canal out to the dry sagebrush. At an intersection I suddenly turn to the left, and descend down to the River Trail. I feel a twinge of guilt as I told my family I would only run the flat easy and safe Canal Trail. They worry about my night runs, my kids especially. It is a vague fear they have, difficult for them to articulate exactly what it is, though there is some mumblings about zombies. But at two miles long, the Canal Trail is short and uninteresting. The River Trail though leads to possibilities. I can access the Meadows trail, or run on Skyliners road leading to the Cascades Mountain Range, or head into the maze of the half built Tetherow housing development, or continue following the river downstream. Mindful of news reports on Gray Wolves and a pack of Coyotes, I opt for the lights of downtown.
A half moon hangs lows in the frosty sky. I cross a foot bridge that carries me over the icy river water. My headlamp illuminates a dirt path covered with pine needles and bits of wood. Though only 5:30 pm the trail is dark and empty. My dog runs close to my side, reluctant to venture far from the safety of Master. She has terrible night sight and often mistakes boulders for something alive and sinister with fearsome teeth. Master will protect her.
I keep my headlamp on until we emerge from the woods and into the light of the Old Mill shopping district. Light from lampposts and ambient moonlight is enough for me to spot my way through the path. I arrive at the first footbridge that could could lead me back in a loop to home. Impulsively I keep going into downtown Bend. Christmas lights decorating the riverside homes are burning bright and light up the dark water beautifully. I go through downtown, following the trail that hugs the river and am soon plunged back into the darkness of night. I switch on the headlamp to illuminate my way. How does one make their way through life without a guiding light? The headlamp is my guide, I shall not want, I shall lay down beside gentle waters. The trail crunches beneath my feet, the frost on the close cropped grass breaking under my weight. Sawyers Park is to my right and I contemplate lying down in the glade, bathed in frosty moonlight. A high escarpment is to my left, where mountain lions hide in wait. I am a Gray Wolf though, not afraid of the dark or that which hides in it. I am sleek fast and hungry, a missile ready to strike. "Ain't that right, little doggie?" My dog looks at me startled and scampers ahead a few feet.
At the 1:35 mark I cross a deserted road. I stop and look at the night sky, the stars so far away. My belly is so cold to the touch, that night air chilling the skin. The warm glow of nearby palatial mansions call to me. How wonderful at night to lock yourself up securely in the light and warmth of home. I turn back to the trail and start on my journey home.
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