Cheryl Runs to The Sun and Moon.

Down the Kewash Trail

Evening in Westchester

The Weekend is almost over, and Cheryl has been doing a bit of running.  The heat has forced us to become a bit more flexible for our runs.   And by that, I mean:  running shorter but more often.   Basically, we have been running in the morning AND evening.   Which is great for me....  I actually like the evenings better.

Mornings in Muscatine

Down to the Fountain!

That does not mean we skip out on the mornings.   on weekends, we usually head to Muscatine for some water therapy.   Cheryl runs somewhere between 7-10 miles ( depending on heat and fatigue) and then she plays in the fountain there.

Cheryl's New favorite part of running.

The perfect place for a cool-down.

 Since she discovered the fountain, (And now that it is  operational...) Cheryl has been looking forward to going there and frolicking in the water.   It is also always fun to run along the river.

And photo opportunity....

Back to Kewash.

However, we have also been taking a break from Iowa City as of late.   The Kewash Trail has been fun to visit after such a long hiatus. ( basically, we have taken all of this winter and spring off from there.)   So now that summer is upon us... and the berries are out in full swing, we have a renewed interest.

Some recent trail improvements!

We also discovered that they have been making improvements!   Remember that "mud pit" on the other side of West Chester?  

Even Non-skid mats on the ends!

Well, the authorities have decided to pave over that area and make it passable!   They even pit little rubber nubs on the ends to keep people from slipping!   How awesome is that!  I'm now curious if any other improvements have been made as we get closer to Washington.

Chasing Raccons.

And evening rabbits sometimes.

It is also noteworthy that the evening runs provide a new experience from time to time.   Raccoons come out in the twilight.   And the heat is much more tolerable in the evening.

Chasing the Moon as it rises.

Chasing the Sun as it sets.

Sometimes you are treated to a wonderful sun set followed by a moon rising.   Add in fireflies and the evening rabbits and it is just a peaceful time to be out there.  I'm actually looking forward to going back out there tonight.   Maybe a little earlier so we will have time to stop and pick blackberries (they are now out in full force now,  Would hate to miss them!)

Enjoying the cool (-er) scenes of Iowa.

Hope everyone is having a pleasant weekend.  And if you can enjoy the evenings as the sun sets,   all the better!

And the Time Flies!

Cheryl in the fields

Cheryl at the trail

 Another week has snuck by.  How is it that the days and week seem to be passing by at a far greater speed now that I'm older?   Looking back I see that it has been almost a full week since my last blog posting.   Surely something must have happened this week that was blog-worthy....

Cheryl after running with a cold

Well,   Not really.   I managed to give Cheryl my cold....  so now we both can share the joy of coughing and sneezing.   I'm still suffering the aftermath, but I think I'm pretty much over it.   Cheryl still suffers from the achy, coughing, stuffy-head part.   I guess there will be a few more days of that.

She still runs though

Through the town

But that has not stopped her from running.   The weather has been cooler this last week.   Almost perfect weather for running.   I say "almost" because running 14 miles with a cold is still a miserable affair. Still,   she managed it and we have continued to run a few miles every day this week.

Down the roads

Past the Silos

Out into the fields

Woosh!

A few things to note:  Normally I fill the blog with pictures of dusty car engines or scantly clad female runners.   But there are other things that I interesting.    Namely, the butterfly weed is out in all of its glory.   I managed to find both varieties.   Purple and orange.   Butterfly weed may be visually striking and bring in the butterflies, but it is not very pleasant to smell.  I wonder why that is.   Well, at least the bugs don't seem to mind.

Purple Butterfly weed

Black Raspberries are out!

Butterfly weed

In addition,  a few wildlife shots.   The deer, in particular, have been quite active.   Several times during a run, Cheryl and I have seen them running at us on the path or standing in yards in the middle of the day.   At one point we thought a doe and fawn were those ceramic lawn ornaments you see from time to time.   We were both shocked to see that the deer was moving!  I managed to snap this picture this afternoon on our way home.

Deer in mid afternoon.

Bunny on the trail

Plenty of rabbits this year.   Several have been running around our yard.   I guess with our cat remaining inside, they have less to fear at the moment.  And there are tons out on the trail as usual.

If only finding inspiration were so easy.

With the summer Solstice over, we can now plan on trying to survive the summer.  We both have a few things to work on.   I have been slowly inching away at the book while also trying to get a few origami items folded up.  It's tough when you have to really work on the inspiration.  Cheryl has also been working on her designs and drawings.  She has added a few things to her shop for runners.

So hopefully we shall be over these blasted colds before the new week begins and can focus on things that are awesome and blog-worthy.   I'll let you know how things work out.   Until then,  thanks for stopping by.

Week In Review

Raining at Pearson.

It has been a challenging week this week.   I have been working at Pearson; so that has demanded most of my time.   There really is not much to say about that really.   It's a job and pays.   And luckily it was fairly easy.   The end.

Work in an Office!  Duh!

We did not get any pizza or cupcakes this time.  Not even a handshake and a "Job Well Done!"   Just a "thanks for coming" and hope to see you next time.

One thing I DID pick up was a lovely cold.  Thanks for reminding me why I do not like crowds.  I imagine all those people in a small cramped room would tend to circulate any bug that might be going around.   Mostly it is a seriously stuffed up nose and a bit of a cough.   I'm hoping it will sort itself out before long and not digress into full blown Pneumonia.  Struggling to breathe through my nose is bad enough.

Running in the evening.

Nice Legs!

Cheryl runs!

In the mean time,  Cheryl and I have been running/biking whenever we can fit it in.  Mornings here... evenings there.   The weather has been most uncooperative as of late.   Basically it has been blisteringly hot and sunny.   And if it cool down and rain...  It does it at night.

Marble sized hail

Pretty flower

Speaking of rain.   We had a bit of Marble sized hail this last Wednesday.   It happened around 12:00.   I ran outside at picked up one of the ice drops before it melted away.   You can always seem to tell when there is hail because it sounds like gravel being thrown at the window.   This is the second time this year hail has manifested on our doorsteps.   Hopefully this is not an omen of Biblical proportions!

Cheryl makes a wish

Other than that,   not much else.    This cold really ticks me off because I can't seem to enjoy ANYTHING while under its influence.  (Influenza!   Get it!) Sniffing and blowing and coughing really makes bike riding so much more fun.

Playing in the water

Vultures wait for Cheryl to drop

And sleeping!    Oh Joy!   Waking up with a sore throat and clogged nose is so refreshing.   Cheryl really appreciates my midnight walks and gurgles as well.   Just go away already!

New Shirt Design

Cheryl's Burst of Speed.   We call her "The Flash!"

At least I'm done with Pearson so I can focus and getting better.   Cheryl continues to plug along with her Pearson at home project.  It is scheduled to finish tomorrow.  That leaves only ETS unless something else magically appears.  Cheryl has plans on working on her designs.   She created a shirt and several other things over the last several days.   We shall see how things work out,  but having the time to work on things...little by little,  is a big step.

Hope everyone else out there is healthy and enjoying the week better.   Nice weather would be ... nice.  For a change.   And having no ailments has got to be better than having  one.   Thanks for checking in.

Another Muscatine Rain Run.

Ready for Action

Calm seas, dark skies

 The rain was supposed to hold off until noon today.  But I find the Iowa Weather to be more unpredictable than Michigan or Alaska.  (A very subjective observation, I'm sure.)

Starting to sprinkle.

Let's evaluate in the car.

We decided to take a chance and drive out to Muscatine anyway.   The clouds were dark and heavy, but the air was nice and cool.   Even the wind was rather calm, ad shown by the river.   I can't remember the last time I saw the water so calm.

About one mile in, the rain began to drizzle on us and we debated for a moment on the next step.   We even stepped into the car to discuss our options.

Let's hurry before it begins again.

Faster faster!

Wouldn't you know it, the rain let up ever so slightly and the dark cloud drifted away.  We rolled the dice and decided to add a few extra miles....opting to turn back the moment it became too much.

Skies are getting dark again....

Rain picking up at the half way 

Me and the trees

On the way to the bridge,  the rain almost stopped completely.   I would say it was nice.   Definitely pleasant weather to run in.  Deep down, I knew the moment we were at our farthest point, the rain would take a turn for the worse.

Now it is really raining!

And it did!   Heavy soaking rain with a moderate breeze.   It took hardly any time to soak through our layers and completely saturate us.

Total Downpour!

In the end,  Cheryl ran consistent miles and did not overheat or "hypothermiate".  (Is that a word?)  We got in about 7 miles of practice being miserable and were able to eat a Big Mac at McDonalds.

Cheryl showing "True Grit!"

Smiling in the face of adversity. 

Running into the Storm.

The Run is finished, but the rain is only getting started.

Time to dry off and eat Cake!

Also,  Being wet and miserable makes you appreciate a warm shower and a hot coffee so much more...