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I'm alone on the trail today. It's too hot for Jazzy and this assent is steep with no water stops. A favorite of local hikers, it's a terrific workout and the mountain offers many options of length and terrain. Up the front side is about 30 minutes of constant work. The trees are dense and provide much needed shade and protection along with beautiful scenery. This really helps when I'm huffing and puffing my way to the top.

Once I've reached the summit I like to descend the backside, with different and varied landscape and a bit easier elevation. There are two spots here that I cherish. A quiet, dense, forest of silence graces a small portion of the trail. I don't know why it's so quiet in this space, but I always stop and look up to the sky in reverence. The trees here are tall, majestic and wise and standing in their presence I feel their grandeur. They command the silence and I drink in the beauty of the absolute stillness.

Crossing the main gravel trail, I continue my hike on the less groomed switchbacks. Coming up ahead is the much anticipated blackberry patch.

Both sides of this pathway are lined with yummy, sweet smelling and delicious, juicy explosions of nature. I simply cannot resist stopping here to enjoy and partake in a small snack.

Almost to the bottom at this point and I pause here longer than usual. Soon I must turn around and go back up and over the mountain to reach my car. When it's this hot and dry, going down that very steep front side is treacherous. Super sketchy, super slippery and not a whole lot of fun. I'm not thrilled at this prospect...

As the wind picks up and rustles the leaves, providing a nice reprieve from the heat, I'm gifted these words: "Just run around!" Oh, yah....that can happen and this is way too exciting of an option! I have the right shoes on, I'm feeling pretty strong and I know the distance. Exactly 3 miles, very flat and this is the perfect day to give running a go. Even if I run 10 minute miles, this route will only take about 30 minutes, plus some walking episodes for certain. Having not run in over 2 years, walking will be mandatory and included.

Let's do it! I'm all in and ready to run around the mountain, back to my car. Even if most of this experiment is walking, it sure beats the dirt-skiing I would have otherwise endured. Off I go with a renewed spring in my step and happy for the prompt to try this out.

Mile one is always the hardest and it's all coming back to me now. Many years ago, in my prior running days, that first mile was a killer every single time. Employing all the old tricks available, I run to that sign, walk to the yellow sign, run to the mailbox, walk to the driveway. So far, it's going pretty well and I approach my first of 2 turns. A stunning backroad, this route is really, really nice. I'm so pleasantly surprised and wonder what took me so long to choose this option. The next stretch is the longest, probably 1.5 miles of straight road. I continue to run and walk, but walking is fading into the background. Baby cows, lamas, sheep, pastures...all cheering me on and I remember why I loved running. The rhythm. My arms swaying, my feet tapping, my breathing in sync; all in rhythm and this is why it's a runner's high. There's really nothing else like this rhythm of elation. Pretty sure I won't be able to walk tomorrow, but right now is perfection.

I run/walk my way to the final turn and the delight of this unexpected adventure fills me with such gratitude. I see my car now and drop to a slow walk to cool off a bit. Looking down I see a beautiful, multi-toned, flawless feather. Words again: "You listened."

Yes, I did listen. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Life is amazing, fun and so much better when I listen. The trail redirected and blessed me with an experience I'll not soon forget.

Step onto the trail and listen. There is so much to hear.