Hill Country Running

Saturday morning was a relatively short run as I had to work, so I went up the hill behind the house...I affectionately call Tank Hill as there is a big water tank at the top. As I am making my way up the canyon I think of how much the area reminds me of the Texas Hill County. I went to university at UT in Austin, lo though many years ago, and was not running nearly what I run now, but the rolling golden hills studded with oaks feel very familiar.
As I was nearing the top I came 'round a bend and saw a doe and her fawn...get to the top, savor the view...even a peek a boo view of the ocean from up there...and down we go...down a goat trail that has not be traversed by anyone or anything in some time...how do I know...I hit a bunch of spiderwebs, invisible to me 'til I hit 'em, on the way. Ever do the spiderweb dance? It is hilarious and usually no one there to laugh at you, but you know what it is like...running along with your mind in the clouds and really enjoying the trail run and bam...right through the web and you start wiggling and gyrating like your pants are on fire. So funny...you look around to see if someone is watching...finish the run down a fire trail and then down the road to home.

Sunday morning's run was longer and later. My wife and I are of the demographic that still likes to sit in bed and read a real newspaper. She enjoys a cuppa and I usually go decaf or herb tea. So a mid-morning jaunt was in the offing after. I went up to Robles del Rio an area I used to live and again up a pretty good sized hill. After the crest I come down a back road that must be a fire road. Then into a road that runs next to a creek. I was struck by the smell of Sunday morning breakfast. It is interesting how heightened ones senses become into a long run. The first house was have pancakes and bacon...yummm...the next one a ways down the road was having something savory, maybe a veggie omelet or some such. I think I got a whiff of steak and eggs later, and oh BTW I must be hungry by now , ya think? So I get up to the village and can smell the restaurants starting brunch I guess, and their oak grills going...gotta get home and get something to eat...something yummy....that ends in y and those are good days to run.