The Road Runner

The low pressure system continues to linger, bringing more needed rain to the area.  The mountains received over an 1" and most places are well above the normal rainfall.  A ride scheduled for today was cancelled but there was a hike available out of Sabino Canyon so I grabbed my Gatorade weighted backpack and headed the 15 miles to the trail head.

Quite a few no shows so only the hike leader, Michael, was there and we shoved off.  The guy talks way too much and ordinarily I would just put in a gap but carrying the pack, no such luck.  I could have fallen back but then I risk him thinking I am weak.  About half way up, he stops and I keep going, reaching the top of Blackett's in 1:10, about 15 minutes slower than without a pack.  My shoulders feel ok so that is encouraging but after 3 miles and 1800' elevation gain, I still have to go back down so we'll see.

The views at the top are always dramatic but more so with the clouds. Michael drones on about different books and movies he enjoys, how Reagan is responsible for income inequality, guns are evil, why he didn't make it as an Uber driver, why he didn't make it as a real estate agent and doesn't take my silence as a clue to shut up.  If I wanted to listen to NPR I would have brought a freakin radio.

Now this is counter intuitive.  Trail etiquette requires that those going up hill have the right away.  I would think those coming up trail would welcome the break and allow those coming down hill to continue but nope, the uphillers get to keep going, momentum unimpeded.  The woman in front was, what I thought, wearing an odd hat, open at the top. If I wore that I'd have a red beanie head.  No snakes today even though I was hiking at about the same morning time but I did....

....catch this roadrunner traveling across the trail.  The rain arrived soon after we finished but it appears that is the end of it for awhile.  On Thursday, I saw the Yeti during a ride.  More to come, later.