Cascade Trail Pizza Run

On Saturday, I ran the Cascade Trail from Sedro-Woolley to Concrete, as part of Skagit Runners' annual Annie's Pizza Run. Basically, Steve D. organizes a group run, at no cost, which ends at Annie's. Annie's is one of the best pizza stops in the State. I keep their menu in my glove box to call in an order when I'm coming down from the mountains. Deb loves it.

So, we were all supposed to meet at Annie's after doing our runs, at 11:15. I did a horrible job planning, and almost missed everyone, as I arrived closer to noon. But I ran farther than most, putting in 22 miles. Of course, I didn't really plan at all for this, and didn't realize it was that distance--I was thinking something more like 16 to 18 miles. Its not like we don't have maps, programs, and a glut of information out there. But I don't run with a watch these days, stuck in my Luddite ways. I run to escape, and increasingly in monkish fashion.

The trail and day were amazing.  I started at 7:15, after grabbing coffee, and ran with two water bottles. I probably should've filled up along the way--there are streams and you pass by the Skagit and its sloughs frequently. The trail is flat, flat, flat. I saw eagles in trees overhead, swans crossing fields, flocks of gulls and snowgeese. I saw the sun rise. I got my feet wet, running through an overflowing Wiseman Creek. I learned the distance from Baker Lake Road to Concrete is not to be underestimated. I met a dog.

I arrived just in time to nab a couple slices that were packed to go, and then gratefully caught a ride back with friends. Overall, a most excellent January day on trail.

A Few Bird Pictures from Skagit

Pair of Eagles with nest on Fir Island

Eagle nest in the distance, across Wiley Slough, Skagit estuary

Eagle pair from a different angle, Fir Island

 Peregrine falcon, at dusk, Wiley Sough

Trees in water, Skagit estuary

Mount Baker, viewed from the southwest

These pictures were taken a few weeks ago on a Sunday when friends Seth and Naomi came by, and we wandered around the valley a bit during the afternoon. In addition to these, we saw many, many snow geese, trumpeter swans, and an owl in flight. A very nice afternoon, and always good to spend time with friends.

Skagit in December

One of my favorite things is to go for a drive around the Skagit in the winter, looking for birds. Someday perhaps I'll take the photography aspect of things more seriously.

I haven't done a really long run in a while, but on just about every weekend in the last month or so I've spent a bit of time hiking Skagit dike areas, Fragrance Lake, Fir Island, or some other local place.

The migratory birds in the Skagit are fantastic this time of year. Swans, snow geese, eagles, and all sorts of smaller birds. The days are short, which can be a downer, but also seems to bring the horizon nearer towards the end of the day. There's something edgy about the air on a clear afternoon day in December. Now, if it is raining, that's usually not as interesting, unless the rain is doing something different.

I'm hoping to do a few shorter races in January.  I'm also working on lining up a few winter hikes.

Here are a few photos from around the Skagit this year.

Heavy rainfall in November and December have resulted in near flooding of the Skagit.  This picture is from Freeway Drive near downtown Mount Vernon.  In the summer, there is a sandbar across the way here, where many sit in lawn chairs, fishing for salmon or just relaxing.

This is the Padilla Bay trail, which covers about 2.2 miles along the estuary. Herons are routine sightings, along with many other smaller flocks of birds. The trail is flat--a great place just to walk and reflect. Anacortes and the San Juan islands are viewed from here. I've long enjoyed going here. Friend Rich and I hiked this trail a few weeks ago.

These two above are from the Padilla Bay trail as well.

This I think is from the Fir Island viewing area, which is accessed at the Conway I-5 exit. Right now the government is doing some "improvements" here, which will improve habitat and provide more viewing opportunities. I saw my first snowy owl in the Skagit at this spot.

Looking out towards LaConner.

Heron

Two swans. I understand they mate for life, which is something like 25 years, migrating to Canada and the Arctic, and then back to the Skagit in the winter.

Eagles, swans, and a hawk, above.

Fragrance Lake, yesterday, as is the top photos with the ornaments.  Technically this is Whatcom County, but the drive up Chuckanut is Skagit, and part of the fun of it all.

Happy holidays to all my friends. Peace on Earth, peace be with you.

Eagles in Edison

Saturday mornings in February are just grand in the Skagit.  Got up a little late, grabbed a cup of coffee at S. Bucks, and drove up Chuckanut for a hike/run in the C-nuts.  A misty morning--good conditions to be out.  Ran into Grant and his brother in different spots, and a few others, all training for Chuckanut.  While not a good run for me, it wasn't horrible either.  I managed to run all the way down without having to pull up.

The highlight of the morning were the eagles in Edison.  About a half mile past Edison, on the Farm to Market Road, there were about 50 eagles in the trees above the slough.  The picture captures one group, but there were groups like this in several trees.  Presumably, they are feeding off a salmon run.

I saw that the painter Alden Mason passed away this past week. His work is in the Seattle Art Museum and other galleries throughout the Pacific Northwest and points farther.  I was taken once by a painting of his of the Skagit Valley, where I understand he has ties. RIP Alden. 

First Half Half Marathon

I had to be in Vancouver, British Columbia this weekend for work, and so I went ahead and registered for the First Half Half Marathon.  This is one of my favorite half-marathons—this was my third time, but first since 2005.  The event always sells out in hours, with over 2000 registered.

Not a lot has changed—still a spectacular circuit of Stanley Park’s seawall, with great views of the city, the bridges, birds, and tankers in the bay. I saw two eagles fighting over a fish during the run. The seawall is paved, but the views feel like trail. Stanley Park is perhaps the best urban park in North America, maybe the world.

We had a light drizzle, but that kept the temps down, and I suppose it was ideal racing conditions. Fortunately, I wasn't racing. I took a bunch of pics starting out, and picked it up a bit after running under Lion's Gate Bridge. More than anything, I wanted to remind myself what the 13 mile distance feels like, enjoy the views, and feel ok afterwards. Success as far as that goes. I'd like to get healed up and in better shape--one week at a time on that, for now.