“Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us, or we find it not.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

The drive from Lake Tahoe to Trinidad, CA is both beautiful and brutal. Through the Lassen National Forest and on into Shasta-Trinity National Forest the nine plus hour drive leaves me appreciative for being able to witness these vibrant, wild and sparsely populated areas. But towing Hobbes along narrow, winding mountainous two lane roads with logging trucks baring down from behind becomes exhausting after a few hours. The reward is arriving at my picturesque campsite at Sounds of the Sea RV Park.

With only two days to explore this section of Northern California I awake early and take Friday for a little walk around the town beach in Trinidad.

Now that Friday is content lying in a cozy bed in Hobbes (it’s a cool 55 degrees with a heavy fog from the marine layer) I lace up my Altra Lone Peaks, fill my Nathan hydration pack, fuel up with Hammer Nutrition products and start running down the road to Patrick’s Point State Park!

 

 

At the end of the day I managed to scramble around the park for a 10 mile run that I’d like to dedicate to my friend (who I’ve yet to meet in person, but admire very much) Ajani AJ Murray and all his friends at Zeno Mountain Farm.

The next morning we’re off to the Lady Bird Johnson Redwood Memorial National Monument. As I walked among these ancient giants I felt the full power of the natural realm and even now find it hard to put into words what it felt like to be in what seemed a very sacred space.

Time to move north into Oregon! My great friends Dan & Stephanie Erdman,

who I met in 2002 while working as a scuba diving instructor on the island of St. John in the Virgin Islands, have invited Friday and me to stay with them at their beautiful home in Eugene.

They graciously offer to assist me with my trail running adventure and drive me up along the McKenzie River, drop me off above Clear Lake

and will meet me approximately nine miles down the river at Blue Pool.

 

From there Stephanie, Dan and I hike the remaining 2.5 miles back to their car. This 11.5 mile trail run is dedicated to this awesome couple and a cause that is near and dear to them both. The McKenzie River Trust was organized to insure future generations will be able to enjoy this pristine and awe-inspiring beauty. Thanks for all your warm kindness and hospitality Dan and Steph!

A short three-hour drive from Eugene to Bend takes me back along the Mckenzie River and then up through a mountain pass and by the scenic little town of Sisters. I arrive at my cousin Dave’s lovely house and spend a relaxing and enjoyable evening visiting with him and his sweet and charming wife Debbie.

As I welcome a new day (and my 55th birthday) I’m ready to hit the trails once again! Dave has offered to follow me to a spot along the Deschutes River where I can leave my truck (Calvin) and then drives me up to Benham Falls

where I will attempt my longest trail run yet while on this adventure. Starting at the falls I turn north and run 3.5 miles to Sun River. Once there, I feel warmed up and remove my Marmot  jacket before turning around and heading back down the trail to the falls and then another 10 miles to my truck!

My birthday wish come true, I complete 17 miles along this glorious river! But as I drive back to Dave and Debbie’s house I remember that I’ve been invited to join their 3 fine young sons (grown men now) for a softball game. Running on pure joy and excitement of being with these shining examples of integrity, kindness, athletic ability and enthusiasm for enjoying life, I feel energized for the game!

On to Portland! A few weeks ago I received a message from another friend I worked with (and was the certifying instructor for his open water scuba diving license) on St. John and he asked if I had planned to stop in Portland. At the time I had not, but after exchanging a few texts back and forth I decided to spend a few days in this hip city that feels more like a town. Brian was so kind to show me around and, while I didn’t complete a trail run while visiting Portland, thanks to my friend I discovered a new place I had not expected to see!

Three weeks in Oregon and how fast they went by! With only a few days before boarding a ferry to Vancouver Island, BC I need to make the most of my brief time on the Olympic Peninsula. I arrive in Port Angeles and quickly set up camp and head to Hurricane Ridge in Olympic National Park.

The following morning I once again load up my Nathan hydration pack, grab my Hammer Nutrition Perpetuem formula, strap on my Altra Lone Peaks and head for the Little River Trail. This is listed as a 7.7 mile (one way) out and back trail with a seriously steep elevation gain. The first 3.5 miles wind along the river through a thick canopy of moss-covered conifers and ferns with towering rock outcropping. There are numerous log bridges to cross and as I start into mile number 4 the trail becomes much steeper with what seems like a never-ending series of switchbacks. At 7 miles the trail crosses the river again, but this time there is no bridge and I cannot spot a good place to safely cross. To be so close to the summit is frustrating, but I recall my Yosemite experience and reflect that I was fortunate to view what must be a very similar vista yesterday at Hurricane Ridge. So, rather than continue up, I decide to take a refreshing cold water plunge in this river of pure snow melt!

 

By the time I return to the trail head I’ve managed to log 14.7 miles and 43.2 miles of trail running in the last 10 days! I’d like to dedicate this run to my friend Brian Erksa in Portland and a cause he supports. the Ronald McDonald House in Portland helps families with children suffering from serious illness by providing them with free housing while their child is undergoing surgery and treatment. Thanks Brian! It was great to reconnect with you and share this fellowship that makes so many things possible today!

 

In closing, I really don’t have a “theme” for this blog. But perhaps it might be as simple as enjoying the moment. My mind often spins off in several directions and I constantly project out into the future. Trail running helps quite the external noise, allows me to focus on what is right in front of me and calms my soul. This article practically wrote itself. It may lack depth and insight, but it just felt good to write about these past few weeks which have been spent with my loving wife, great friends in Eugene and Portland and my awesome cousins in Bend!

HAPPY TRAILS!!