Running On Glass...

Cheryl is Ready to Run!

A slightly warmer day today.   Cheryl decided that a casual run would help her feel better about the car, the cat, and life in general.   So off we went on the flat trail in Coralville.

Except on the Ice.

The warmer weather we had helped melt much of the ice and snow on the sidewalk.  For the most part, we were able to navigate 70-80% of the trail in its entirety.  The places where the ice was overflowing the sidewalk forced us to walk around.   Maybe the warmer weather will eventually melt it before it freezes things up again.

River of Broken Glass...

Like someone Dropped a Window

On a slightly different note,  we were able to see some of those phenomenons that you only see when outside in the cold.  Namely,  the natural ice sculptures that happen randomly.   I remember when we were kids and used to hunt for rabbits or late season squirrels and see these beautiful snow and ice murals that no one else was privy to.   Like seeing a magic, mythical world that you only read about in stories.  Moments like that are one of the things I miss about hunting.

Shatter!

Ice covering the fields

But now we run and bike in the winter.   It is true that we stay on trails for the most part,  but sometimes we are still able to see things.   I call this one the "River or Broken Glass."   Perhaps you will see why.

He was difficult to film.

Cheryl sees a mouse under the ice

Along the way,  we saw a small vole or mouse or rodent of some kind,  running around under the ice.   I wanted to see if I could grab him,  being the wild school boy that I am...   But Cheryl did not want me to scare or  "torture" the poor creature.  ( I only wanted to pet it..... No damage done there.)  I'm guessing he might have been protected from Owls or Hawks... but not a fox or coyote if one was in the area.   That ice  was not very thick.

You can see his fur against the ice.

I wanted to pet him.  Cheryl says "No!"

The Ice did not offer much protection.

The temps are currently hovering just above freezing.   Cheryl even had to take off her outer coat to finish the run. ( 7 miles today!  Yeah!) I'm hoping that the 35 degrees is enough to remove what little ice is left on the sidewalk.   Anything that will allow Cheryl to avoid hills for a while is a good thing in my book.  And if she can remain pain-free while she prepares for her next run,   that would help as well.  Fingers crossed.

Tracking down the Idle Issue.  Like chasing a Ghost!

And one small note.   24 hours without the Check engine light on.   I think that is a milestone somehow.  I know that it is possible that it will flash again,  and I'm trying to prepare for it mentally.   We continue to chase ghosts in Subie as he hesitates and surges as we run around.   Cheryl has several more sensor ideas to replace before we throw up our hands in defeat.  Actually, we have done that several times over the pas year....  but those don't count.