American River, Again

When traveling I do all I can to run a different route when returning to a city. For some time I know I’d be back to the Sacramento suburb, Fair Oaks. From the initiation of the travel plan I looked forward to running beside the American River, once again. I did, however, plan to run in the opposite direction of my previous visit. It was good plan, even if it fell short a bit.

 

Right at daybreak I hurried along the city streets to the river. Upon arrival I turned right as opposed to my left turn in January of this year. Quickly a problem presented itself as the trail disappeared into steep cliff. I didn’t and to trade in the run for hill scaling. So, I kicked a little dirt and spun around to repeat the portion of the riverside trail I jogged 10 months earlier.

 

Like before the weather was chilly, mist rose off the water and I was swallowed by immense natural beauty. Here is what was different. The salmon were spawning. That was fun. The upstream swimmers brought masses of waterfowl to the river in hopes of a meal. The sun was rising just as before, however, since my prior run in this sublime landscape I’d learned about American Transcendentalists such as Emerson, Alcott and Thoreau. The smells, sights, sounds and wonder struck me in a new and invigorating way.  This moment was part of living life, enjoying life, being alive.

 

Much good came of the road previously traveled.

 

Experience the world in new ways. Run.

 

Tom