Don't tell Percy Jackson, for fear he'll think me the lightening thief.

Late night we pulled into a hotel parking lot just outside of the Milwaukee airport. I lamented that the morning run would be the standard fare for airport neighborhoods-industrial and commercial cement and concrete, blah! Shannan tried to ease my concern by saying the next night will be better. To my utter surprise, lighten struck in the morning. I was delighted to find a lovely neighborhood, a sports complex and a nice park with running/walking trails, all right by the airport. I took longer on the road as it turned out to be a grand place to run.

Later that evening, Shannan's words echoed in my head from the night before when I prematurely complained about the prospect of a morning run by the airport. "Tomorrow will be much better," she vowed. I recalled this as we arrived in Madison, WI to find our hotel tucked in an ever present mall sprawl area. I complained bitterly about the boring scenery for the morning run. For shame! I should have learned better, especially given the morning run near the airport turned out to be a real winner.

We left the hotel that night for dinner and I happened to notice a viaduct going under the expressway. I knew it was not the smartest idea (Shannan agreed), but an interesting prospect for certain (Shannan did NOT agree). Nonetheless, at morning’s first light I investigated. After a slow trot through the damp viaduct I found the other side opened into an industrial area. I decided to give it a quick look around, and to my pleasure I discovered Elmer's Park Trail. What a sheer joy! The trail cut through beautiful well planned green-space area of neighborhoods and businesses. Ultimately the trail ended in a large community park. Unbelievably, lightning struck, again.

Who know what the road holds? Run.

Tom