Smokey Skies and Scenic Runs

Dr. Arthurs gives the thumbs up. 

Peggy, Jeri and Katie:  three generations, enjoying the Scenic Marathon. 

Mike and Sheryl Self

Girl Scout volunteers, along with Swiss Miss. 

This lady sent me a wonderful story of human spirit after I posted her photo on Facebook.

Turns out yesterday's event  was the first time she'd run in 15 years.  She has MS, and her experience yesterday was very emotional and uplifting.

"This may be my first run among many," she wrote.  "I have the bug!"

More power to you, Jennifer!

Willie proudly wears his race hat after completing a 10K, and Mom inadvertently snaps a "selfie in the sunglasses." 

Well, they say this is the first day of fall.  If so, it’s a beautiful ushering in of the new season. We’ve had a nice dose of lovely weather throughout this year, and, if past years are any indication, some of the best is yet to come.

Fall is definitely my favorite season of the year----until late October, that is.  When it lives up to its name and all those leaves have done just that---fall---then, it’s not so delightful.

We have the grand and glorious show of leaf and needle color ahead, so I won’t even think about empty tree limbs today.

Speaking of which, some trees are burning up in the Grouse Creek area in the “Wiley” fire.  

Bill and I turned into a couple of smoke chasers last night after being aware of the fire for the past day or so. Since Grouse Creek is a favorite to both of us, we felt the need to get up there and see where the fire was actually burning.

Turns out it’s in an area where we hiked on an autumn day two years ago:  Wiley Knob.  

We learned the specifics after watching the helicopter drops and meeting up with Kelly Tucker and “Fergie” along the Sand Ridge Road.  They’re Forest Service employees, specializing in fires, and they were monitoring the situation as the water drops occurred.

Kelly told us a crew will probably go in today and dig a fire line in some pretty densely forested areas.  We’ve been pretty lucky around here the past year or so with fires, and it’s kinda surprising to see this one so far into September.

It was good to see Kelly----again a former student.  She worked as photo editor for the Cedar Post her senior year at SHS.

Before our smoke chasing sojourn, our day yesterday involved lots of good and fun memories, including a Seahawks victory.

I spent the morning with Debbie and her gang of Girl Scouts and volunteers at the north water station for yesterday’s Scenic Half Marathon.  

Though I didn’t know most of the runners, a few former students came through, and, in all cases, it was great to see them.

Among them were Self family members, including three generations in one case with Peggy, Jeri and Katie.  I knew they were coming after seeing Jeri’s brother Mike and his wife at the stop.

 

We also enjoyed some fun at the end of our stint when Willie, who had run in the 10K and finished first in his age group, came and joined us.  After Debbie, Swiss Miss and I submitted to a mutual lukewarm water challenge, we decided Willie needed the same.

So, some more glasses of water doused heads rather than going into thirsty mouths.

 

Yesterday's Scenic Half Marathon, I’m told included three runners (Willie, brother Mike and niece Laura) and about eight family members volunteering among the in-laws and outlaws of our extended family.  

It was a great and inspiring fun, and I’m game for volunteering again next year.

Now, it's time to embrace this first day of autumn.  Happy Monday.