Running at Rockmont

I've been slack; still running, but not taking the time to write. I do have a Genius list to post, but forgot to bring the iPod to the Dripolator, where I'm writing this morning. The Dripolator is a local coffee shop in Black Mountain, NC. We have a cottage there, and I've been fortunate to come a little early this week and have this run on Wednesday with Jake and Wheeler. MC will be joining us today.

I pulled into Camp Rockmont around 3:30, where ran for 53 minutes. Don't have any idea how far, but sure it was at least 5 miles. Camp Rockmont is just outside Black Mountain, and is where MC, LC, Mandy, Courtney and Natalie worked during their college summers. They have multiple hiking trails, but I stayed mostly on the dirt and gravel roads and open fields.

The dogs love running out there, and I prefer running in the mountains myself. The weather was perfect (60 degrees, mostly sunny with a nice breeze), and getting away from traffic and letting the dogs lead off leash is always a treat.

And we had the added bonus of running into Hap and John working on some engineering magic before the camp opens for the summer. MC and Mandy are to join us today for another run.

I love to run for its own sake, but the added benefit is I stay in shape to hike. Took the dogs on Thursday for a 7.5-mile hike on the Graybeard trail out at Montreat. It's a great trek through the forest with a great view from the peak.

Wheeler took a slide down a very large slippery rock into a pool at the bottom. While sliding down, he scrambled to get clear, but his efforts resembled something from the Flintstones -- no traction at all. My work was to get him out without getting Jake in the same predicament. Tough to say the least. Jake and I couldn't reach him, so we decided to approach from the back. When we got out of sight, Wheeler started whimpering like a whimperer and climbed out on his own.

He was so excited to be with us, he couldn't settle down, but that is his usual state. He led the way up the summit and back down, with Jake right at my heels. That is, when they weren't splashing into the many streams to take a dip.

They slept well the rest of the day, and I took to a hammock. Great day indeed.