Training and Preparation

Beau Makes a New Friend

This year, Beau, our 3 year old Golden Retiever, accompanies me on many of my training adventures.

Yesterday on our way home on the Snoqualmie Valley Trail, I heard footsteps behind us.

Ah, a young mule deer. 

The face off begins.

Decisions are being made.

Noses are being touched.

They like each other, and a dance of rousing play, delightul and unimagined movements, ensues.

When I finally announce that we (ostensibly Beau and I) needed to be getting home, our young friend followed us with Beau casting him encouraging glances from time to time. Ah, but then, after about a 1/4 mile we came to a long and high tressle bridge .

With wistful looks the deer seemed to shake his head before exiting the trail into the forest. Beau fixed his gaze on me seeming to say , “you seem surprised that I am a friend of deer.” Ah. I am not surprised; but I am delighted.

I wonder if the young deer’s mother was delighted when he told her about the new friend he had made on the trail…

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Runningbird

Last summer the Canadian border opened at Manning Park, BC. I walked the last 70 miles with a sense of joy and gratitude, the monument was crowded with people from all over the world, finally able to compete their dream. The summer of '23 was incredible for another reason. Lonely for the simple pleasure and renewing life of long distance trail hiking I decided to begin the Continetal Divide Trail ! I hiked from the south I-15 crossing to Canada (about 900 miles), experiencing windstorms, a blizzard, twice daily thunderstorms and days without seeing even a human footprint. I was hooked! Stay tuned as Wingman and I restart the blog chronicling the remaining 2100 miles of the CDT, from Mexico to Montana.

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