Weekend Cathance Fun

Lots of time out in the Cathance this weekend! We are incredibly lucky to have such a great place so close to the house for exploration, running and hiking!

Got in a nice 10 miles wandering along the river and out and around the Blueberry Loop yesterday morning. The river is roaring again after all of the recent rain and the wildflowers are everywhere! Saw one red eft, one deer and was startled by one grouse ;)

Red eft crossing

Roaring Cathance

Bluebead lily flowers

Rhodora

Rhodora

Once I got home, Ryan headed out for his long run and then since it was such a beautiful afternoon, we all headed back over to the Cathance for a short hike mid-afternoon. We walked around the Heath and then did a short jaunt to one of the quarry pools in the hopes of seeing some tadpoles and/or turtles but to no avail. But no matter, still a great 1.5 miles out in the woods together!

23 ladyslippers counted today

Happy hikers

Fringed polygala

Heath

Blueberry bells

Running

Along the bog bridges

Wild cala lily

Edge of the Heath

Sky reflected

Bunchberry, starflower and fringed polygala

Sun's out, guns out, tongue's out ;)

Happiness :)

This morning dawned clear, cool, bright and sunny and I headed out around 7:15 am for my long run. I ran a loop up and over Mt. Ararat and then out on the powerlines to run the dump loop before returning to the house at 9.5 miles to pick up Ryan for the remaining 10+ out to Head of Tides. It was nice to have company, and good to get in another 20 miler for the month! Although my legs were a bit tired in the final few miles, I was happy to feel solid and strong and to finish off a 3rd 40+ mile week. Saw a Great Blue Heron out at the Head of Tides, and spotted a Scarlet Tananager up in the trees off the top of Mt. A! Very cool sighting!!

Painted Trillium

White Ladyslipper

Carpet of Lily of the Valley at Head of Tides

Lily of the Valley

Head of Tides

Ryan took off after lunch to cheer on our friends at Pineland, while Sam, Mom, Dad and I headed out for a walk out into the Cathance to check out the river, which is truly roaring! Sam spent the majority of our 1.3 miles out on the trails running and telling us we were not moving fast enough ;) Ha. A fun walk in the woods on yet another beautiful afternoon!

Barnes Leap

Big kid

Trail runner

Along the river

Cathance

High water

Lots of water!

Runnin'!

Cutie pie

Us at Barnes Leap

Sam, Neenie and Pip

Hugs

The girls, with my hands in an odd position and Sam's expression saying 'Pip, no more photos!' ;)