A fine night for a run

With clouds, rain, and snow allegedly lingering in the near future, I returned to the cabin this afternoon to blue skies. By the time 8 o’clock rolled around, the sky was still cloudless and the brilliant moonlight illuminated the forest running up the flanks of Mount Hood.

I had already promised Tischer a run tonight but I was thinking about an old access road that reminds me of Minnesota country roads that I know. However, just looking out back tempted me too much because the only effort needed to get to the trail head was to walk to the driveways end.

I changed into shorts, knee-high socks, and a reflective jacket (to warn oncoming skiers-that I surely wasn’t going to see because the trails only have 2-3 inches of snow) and grabbed Tischer’s leash.

We hit the trail running. Tischer, bounding like a jackal in front of me, is not so good at setting the pace. Still we ran. She would stop to smell the branch tips and play catch up. I would keep on in and out of dark patches where the canopy was thick above. I’d flip on my headlamp for these sections to ward off rolled ankles, but where the snow glowed from the moons glow I followed the trail with soothing ease.

Much of the frozen layer of snow covering the path was unblemished and it was amazing to witness the distance between Tischer’s prints. I believe we both were fueled by the energy of this night in the shadow of The Mountain.

30 minutes later we emerged from the forest at the top of a ski run and started our controlled descent to the cabin. Part way down I slowed to a walk and enjoyed the open view. Tischer caught her breath and when I called her over to commend her effort she licked the beads of moisture from my growing beard. Her way of patting me on the back.

Back at the cabin the energy was bursting from the seams. The group of students had arrived and were making themselves at home. Tischer would have her attention from these friends and I would have a hard bench to rest my worked body on. Sitting here in front of my computer, all I keep picturing is the moon, Orion’s belt, frosted elevation rising up, and Tischer’s breath dissipating into the night.

A fine night for a run, indeed.