I fell right off my running and fitness schedule this week, what with Nola’s birthday party followed by Harriet’s birth. These granddaughters!
So Friday morning, over in Vancouver, I made sure to get out for a run around the seawall — felt great, except for the drenching I was attacked by in the last kilometre.
So drenched was I, in fact, that when I stepped into my running shoes on Saturday morning, there was still a slight squelch factor.
Not enough to deter, though.
In fact, I ran exactly the same route as the day before. No worries about being bored. 13.5 kilometres of glorious vistas. I know I’ve share my running route before here, but there’s always something new on this route . . Here’s a closer view of the hand-painted leaves I spotted on the tree at Hallelujah Point, one of my favourite parts of this run (and I explain its fabulous name in this post)
I even darted up above it with my cameraphone so you can see the Conference Centre’s sails in the background.
From the top, the photos show you a couple of high tide scenes, one punctuated by the cleverly balanced rocks, inukshuk-style, that have become such a typical aspect of West Coast beach scenes. This one was above water when I ran by it on Friday morning; Saturday, it’s almost submerged.
The photo of the child’s toy was taken by a water fountain I stopped at along the way. Again, it was there both Friday morning, and then again on Saturday, so I suppose there’s not much chance anyone will drive back to retrieve it. The flower was there both days as well — don’t you want to invent a story about the little one who put both down for a moment?
And finally, below, this bench, at my last water station break before leaving the park, tempted me to sit for a moment. I resisted, but
did slow down my pace to reflect on the gratitude of an aging visitor.
And to wonder if this “young man” is still visiting Vancouver, at 99 . . . What a charming way to commemorate his time here!
Hope you enjoyed running along with me. . . today we’ve got separate dates with both granddaughters and their parents, and then I’ll be heading back home, my first stack of papers halfway marked, a week of marking and meetings and marking and meetings ahead. Last night we dressed up to see The Pirates of Penzance and I got Pater to snap a photo or two, so perhaps I’ll post those tomorrow. Meanwhile, enjoy what’s left of your weekend!
Wow, the color of those leaves- that can't be real. I've never seen anything like that before.
It was obviously some kind of guerrilla art project, Marla. Startling against the grey!
I must say that you are quite a Mater!
Great pictures while on the run. Will you ever sit down and pause; )!
Oh believe me, I know how to sit! Just get me in my big armchair by the fire with a book. . .
That bench is intriguing – it would be wonderful to find out if the 'young man' is still enjoying it once a year!
I know! I'd love to know more about that story.
It's a lovely scenic place to run…
are you wanting to see Harriet every single day?
I know I struggled with this when Isla was born.
Oh, so much — once you get a reminder of the particular nestle of a newborn on your chest, it's hard to let her go!
I think that the hand-painted leaves, toy, flower and bench are the bones of a fine bedtime story for one or both of your little ones. Elle
You're so right, Elle, thank you! We'll have to weave a Lucy story out of this one (my husband used to make these up for our kids).
You sound full of happy energy in this post. I've never jogged around the seawall, but I've biked it and walked it. Such a beautiful place.
I do get a happy energy from this run, Lorrie, you're right! I have so many memories here, back to the late 50s, if you can believe it, when my Mom and Dad used to bring us to the park for picnics and a visit to the zoo.
Gah! Wet shoes. I would rather walk on my hands (as if!) than stick my feet in wet shoes.
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I think you've shown us that tree before. It's no wonder you love it.