Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Welcome Southwest Surprise

We exited at Sunland Park Drive. Immediately I lamented the retail hub being the surroundings for the run I'd take the following morning. Then I gave it little thought as we enjoyed a fabulous evening in El Paso, TX, including dinner at the Hoppy Monk. 5:00 am arrived and I thought only to run opposite of the cluster of staunchly middle class stores. Within a half a mile, to my delight, I crossed the New Mexico state line. Shortly thereafter I ran over the Rio Grande River. Those sorts of things don't happen around most shopping plazas.

When will I ever learn the concrete oasis of shoppers doesn't have to equate to a lackluster environment for running? I rambled around water canals, past horse stables and ran through dry water runoff beds. Sparse grass, cacti, rocks and sand decorated the ground as a rose hue back light the craggy mountains. The desert morning air was crisp and cool. Mud packed ground had split from constant baking in the sun and didn't offer any give under foot.

I scurried up a slight hill, which offered a view across the valley floor. Majestic! Once again, I found myself deeply entranced by the spell of the desert. No matter what continent, the desert touches me deeply. I love the landscape, the critters, the dry heat and the mystique of the dusty land. I long for it.

Run by store. Run in the desert. Just Run!


Tom

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