Sea-Tac Sixteen

I'm a week away from home in the Seattle area (Bellevue/Redmond) to participate in an event at Microsoft. I've run here before, early 2012, mostly on roads, seeking out scraps of trails. I'll be running here again, so something a bit different to blog. Just as well, been a long time since I wrote anything.

So, let's start ... for boring reasons I'm overnight Saturday in a hotel near Sea-Tac airport. Well, I say a hotel, its comfortable enough, I'd overnight here again if need arose, but same time it feels a bit like a prison, because I'm surrounded by endless parking lots, convenience stores, fast food restaurants, hotels, ... really not my kind of place. Only one thing for it then, free time on Sunday, get me elsewhere out on some trails. I'm thinking of Discovery Park, alas its more than an hour from here, but I do have a lot of free time.

Comfortable hotel, or barren prison?

Sunday morning, I had a long long day yesterday, slept late this morning, and perhapsdefinitely had an extra long workpigout at the breakfast buffet. Late for the start, I have to set dreams of distant trails aside, and do something around the area of the hotel. Quick look at online maps, there seems to be a creek trail a few blocks away, leading down to the Puget Sound. The start, heading south on Pacific Highway, not so inspiring ... but its got to beat the treadmill in the hotel gym? For sure, at least I am outdoors!

The start south on Pacific Highway, run away from here old plodder!

I remember now, one of the problems running in cities in USA, very often there are no sidewalks, so road running is a literal description. No matter the trail head is soon reached. I remember now, urban trails in USA, still road running. Oh well, at least I can run along the softer verges, maybe there will be some good side-trails. Just a few hundred metres and here is temptation to my left, a great looking little side trail, alongside the river, its got everything, mud, fallen trees to leap over, and to duck under, but alas it soon ends at "fallen trees swamp".

Road running in USA is often literal ...

... and trail running can be a form of road running.

Yay! Tempting little side trail ...

... running alongside a pretty little river!

Leap!

Duck!

Boo! Trail ends at "fallen trees swamp".

Returning to the asphalt I am reminded how close I am to the airport as a plane roars over my head on take-off. Its nice enough being among the trees here and near the river but one thing is definitely wrong ...the soundscape is unnatural. More side trails come into view, to my left a river crossing is on offer, to my right I can be straight into the trees.

The airport is near, lots of sound pollution, ...

... but pretty sights through the trees along the river.

Hmm, maybe a muddy scramble and a river crossing ...

... reckon I'll take the easier right and get myself into the trees.

Now this is more like it at last! The imprints in the earth tell me that these are mountain bike trails, so I can expect a lot of short steep ups and downs, sharp turns, ... fun!  Pretty flowers! Nature's carpet beneath my happy feet! I've got my rhythm now, it feels good, but it wont last forever. The trail peters out and I have to bushwhack a bit down to the asphalt again.

This is more like it!

Loving the carpet!

Bit of a bushwhack.

The asphalt now is less fun, the verges are not runnable, but I soon reach the Puget Sound. I take a little stop here to absorb the place. I like running, feeling my heart and lungs working, the movement of my body, even the sweating part, but sometimes its good to be still, to take time to sense the detail in the environment. Zen moment: Sitting still, doing nothing, spring comes, and the grass grows by itself. I'd hoped to run north along the shoreline and find another creek trail back into the urban sprawl. Unfortunately this is not going to do-able and I'm going to have to get back on the suburban roads for a while. I might get lucky and hit some more trail, you never know. Its unlikely there will be anything worth seeing for now, so the camera is stowed here. Slight problem, I did not think about a "Plan B", I have no route plan from here and no map to consult ... I'll just have to trust sense of direction and mental compass I guess.

The verge to my right is not runnable ...

...  neither is the verge to my left (but at least there is a duck).

The Puget Sound ...

... and Des Moines marina.

Nope, definitely not runnable.

I know I need to head north and at some point turn east. I feel like I've been running uphill on the same road for miles. I've been heading north on 1st Avenue South for the last couple of miles and climbed over 400 feet. I'm starting to tire, my top is soaked in sweat ... a short pause to take on water and I realize I've gone too far north. I've just passed 192nd Street, I'm sure I was on 200th Street at the trailhead. Hmm, backtrack and east along 192nd, more undulation, Seattle is not a flat place! I can see ahead, this street ends, I think it might be due to the presence of the airport complex. Turn south until 200th, then east, if I'm right then I know the way back from there.  More uphills and downhills then a familiar little monster appears before me, but at least I am found. Returning north on Pacific Highway I see a glimmer of light on my right and turn to investigate. Its a little park and a pretty lake, with a backdrop of dark and brooding mountains in the distance. Nice here, in an urban sense, folk kayaking, fishing, picnicing, smell of bbq smoke, kids playing, pretty blossoms in the trees, nice. Just a couple of minutes later and I'm back at the hotel, which curiously no longer invokes in me the notion of a prison.

I recognize this little monster ... I am found!

Angle Lake, a pretty little place ...

... lovely white blossoms.

No longer having that kind-of-a-prison sensation!

This was a bit of a mixed feelings run. I had some fun in the creek but was disappointed I could not run along the shore. It went downhill (and uphill, so much uphill) from there, in the end I was just relieved to know where I was and the route to finish the thing. Nevertheless, definitely glad I did that, definitely good to get out and about and explore a bit. On the go today for two hours and one minute, about five minute stop at Puget Sound, and another couple of minutes at Angle Lake, distance 16km dead, and approx. 300m ascent/descent. Here's the route ...

... with a bit of luck I'll be able to find some trails in Bellevue/Redmond later in the week, if I can get my lazy body out of bed early morning.


Enjoy!

Goodbye 2014, Hello 2015

Something different today, just for a bit of a laugh, two mixed-terrain runs around Inverness, two different years. No photographs, just the routes from the garmin tracks. I've been experimenting, writing messages with my feet and my watch, for no particular reason.

Goodbye 2014

New Year's Eve 2014, started out about noon, last run of the year. Mixed terrain miles along Caledonian Canal, River Ness, Moray Firth, city streets, and grassy playing fields. Conditions ideal, mostly dry, not cold. not hot, slight breeze.

Route today, hard to make out the writing attempts ...

... zoom into "2014" beside the canal ...

... and "GOODBYE" on the rugby pitches at Canal Park.

Nice enough run, although tired in the last half an hour around Clacnaharry sea-lock and back along the canal. Just over eleven miles, just under two hours. Reckon I'll have to go for bigger letters/numbers the next time.

Hello 2015

New Year's Day 2015, Hogmanay Hangover, and not a lot of sleep, started out about nine, first run of the year, reckon this is going to be a bit of a shuffle-job. Mixed terrain miles again along Caledonian Canal, River Ness, city streets, and grassy playing fields. Conditions not ideal, rain, wind, puddles, mud, some flood.

Route today, a little easier to make out the larger writings ...

Zoom into "JAN, 1" beside the canal ...

... "2015" on the rugby pitches at Canal Park ...

... and "HELLO" on the soccer pitches at Bught Park.

Could have been a nice enough run but tired from the get-go this morning and feeling the effects of the night before. Just over eight miles and just over eighty minutes, as expected, the noble art of slow running. Curious looks from dog-walkers on the playing fields. Anyway that's enough gps writing play for now.

Enjoy?

Windswept Whiteadder Wander

It has been so long now since I've enjoyed an excursion in the Lammermuir Hills. I've been hankering after running a circuit around Whiteadder Reservoir, taking in a couple of the hills which stand above the waters. Last weekend, with snow in the Pentland Hills just a stone throw from home, I simply had to go up there, and it was great. This weekend, snow melted, I'm off to scratch the itch around Whiteadder, a bit of a drive, should be well worth the effort!

I've parked near the picnic area south-east of the reservoir. Just a couple of hundred yards back along the road and then a right onto the soft earth up and over the Hungry Snout. Steep at first away from the road, then easier lovely going beside a strip of forest. Soon the views open up and I can see ahead my first hill today, its called Spartleton. Good running over the grassy green hill farm tracks with wind to my back. Its a strong wind, soon I must make a sharp left, I know this wind will be difficult today.

Short steep start up the Hungry Snout

Easier good going on the soft ...

... soon the views open and I see Spartleton ahead.

Lovely running on the green hill farm tracks with great views behind.

I've made my sharp left, onto rougher tracks, much softer under-foot, sometimes flooded. Surprisingly, my feet seem to be pretty dry at the moment, so I feel its worth diverting around the watery pools, through the heather and tussocs. The wind, as expected, is causing difficulties, movement into the wind is much impeded, meaningful running is almost impossible. Short while later I land on a dirt track, a gravel/stone road. For various reasons the Lammermuirs seem to have a lot of these roads, they are not usually my favourite way of getting around the hills, but some firmer ground under-foot is welcome at the moment. The reason for the road, in this case, is probably wind farms. There are a lot of wind farms in these hills. I'm good with the whole renewable energy thing - just a shame these structures spoil the views (more on this later). I've got this track all the way to the summit, without the wind it would be a section of easy enough uphill running, with this wind I am finding I can walk faster than I can run, strange ... anyway, the summit cairn and trig are reached, and a welcome breather to take some pictures.

Now rougher tracks heading toward the summit ...

... with diversions around the watery pools.

Lammermuir style hill roads with wind-farm in the distance

The roads will take me up to the summit now

The summit cairn and trig at last ...

... and a fine view of a wind-farm.

I am guessing you might have noticed a wind-farm there ... well anyway I'm looking ahead at the route forward. Hmm, wind-farms means pylons. I've decided to stay on the dirt track a short while, I know I will come to a left turn onto a soft farm track which leads in the general direction of my next touristic direction. I avoid another water hazard crossing Cot Cleugh and then the first nav error of the day, took the wrong turn and had to plough across marshy rough to reach the ruins of Gamalshiel Castle next to Hall Burn. (Note to self: research history of this castle.) Wet feet now! Short pause to take some pictures of the ruins, answer the call of nature, and a fast descent on more soft green hill farm tracks to the reservoir. On the descent, spotted a couple of walkers ascending on Sprottylea Rig, the only other folk I saw out today.

Begin descent on the dirt track, more wind-mills and pylons

Happy to leave the hard road on soft green hill farm tracks again ...

... avoid the flooded place crossing Cot Cleugh ...

... and on past the ruins of Gamelshiel Castle near Hall Burn.

Alas, not much choice, but just under a mile on the asphalt now. I discover that I am on the "Herring Road". The sign reads ... "This old path is named because it was used by the fishwives of Dunbar when carrying massive creels of herring to market in Lauder. This track was one of the many different routes that were used by the fishwives over the centuries as paths became eroded and were replaced." These folk lived hard lives, they were tough, respect! Running along the road toward Priestlaw Farm, a flock of geese in the fields to my left, they noisily beat a retreat as I approach. Now ahead of me the small bridge over Faseny Water and the second summit of the day, Priestlaw Hill. I've not been up here before, I have no knowledge of the tracks and paths, so my eyes are scanning the hillside searching for a route. There seems to be a wide path, but I will have to traverse, ascend a little, and then back-track traverse, to get there. Just before the back-track I am seduced by a narrow trod through the heather, I always love a narrow trod. Its tough going, the wind has picked up and is causing even more of a problem now, but the views back down over Faseny Water, the reservoir and Spartleton are a reward.

The "Herring Road"

Flock of geese in the field running away - but you guys can fly!

Bridge over Faseny Water, and Priestlaw Hill ahead.

Ascending Priestlaw on a narrow trod, hard work ...

... but views behind are a reward.

Then the narrow trod dissapears, or perhaps I've just lost the thing semi-blinded by the bright low afternoon sun in my eyes. I can just about make out a traversing sheep track which maybe will lead me to the wider green path I had seen earlier. Luckily this eventually does land me on the track, leading up through a series of well maintained wood and stone grouse butts. The terrain underfoot is easier, but the steep is relentless, and the wind now full to the face is fierce. I am moving head-down, teeth-gritted, and tiring too quickly, I hope I will reach the summit soon. Then I look above my head, and notice this beautiful cloud floating above me. This lifts my spirits, I am moving head-up following the cloud, and soon the summit furniture appears, at last. I take a short pause for the camera, and a quick check of the map, then without more ado, away from here hoping to get out of the wind - its almost blowing me over at the moment!

Trod is lost, traverse, look for a better path.

Just noticed this wonderful cloud swimming through the sky above my head ...

... like a guardian angel it takes me to the summit ...

... views from the summit and another wind-farm.

There's another narrow trod through the heather leading in almost the perfect general direction, so I follow, until it dissappears and more hard work across the rough - but yay its easier and faster now, the wind is mostly to my back, and I'm descending. Surprising number of grouse feeding stations about the place, and I can hear the sounds of gunfire echoing around the bowl of hills above the reservoir. I come out of the rough ground on another hill dirt track, this one softer, more muddy, and it appears to be marked on the map. I'll follow it for a while, enjoy the easier going, soon it bends into the exact wrong direction, but I can see there is a fork, a sharp right back in the correct general direction. The map marks the concentric rings of an ancient hill fort, easily visible on the satellite images, and quite large. I want to find this place, so over the rough again and soon found, a few photos, but what I like best is the colours of the bracken.

Short lived but much enjoyed trod descending ...

... after more rough ground, relief of the dirt track.

Found the rings of the ancient hill fort ...

... for me the main event is the colours of the bracken.

I started this journey today ascending the Hungry Snout to the north of Whiteadder Water. I will just about end this journey descending the Friars' Nose to the south. Love the names here. I stand above the steep descent looking toward the picnic area and the car. I am almost done but there are a couple of issues ahead. First the descent is very steep, not a problem, but there are no paths and the heather is abundant. Soon the heather gives way to easier going and I am scanning the river for a crossing point. I decide to run on to a couple of trees below and pause there to choose a wading point. Turns out, no need, from the trees I can see a bridge - just a couple of barbed wire fence hops then I'm over the river and done, happy enough, feeling it in the legs today.

On the Friars' Nose, looking down to the river ...

... hmm, where shall I wade across ...

... ah, no need, yay!

Tough going for the old plodder, but an enjoyable outing today, and well worth the driving. Checked the garmin data, distance was pretty much 12km dead, total ascent/descent 490m, on the go for 2:00:52. Great sunshine, blue skies, memorable cloud, cold, and that wind. What's not to like, eh? Well, apart from that wind ... oh, by the way, here's the route again.

Enjoy!