Those who wandered are not lost...

Where did I hear it so recently? One of the blogs, one of the emails? It doesn't really matter, and I can't even remember who was the author, nor am I sure I phrased it correctly, but you know what, it was a great timing hearing (reading) it...

Nothing in the world that a good Gorge run with a good friend can't cure. No, I don't claim the problems go away and life becomes easy and beautiful, but for those number of hours it gets pushed aside, and while it is, the wounds in the soul get patched and ready to accept new hits and holes. I love my Gorge outings, I wouldn't be able to live without them, this I can say for sure. Just a day or two before I was looking for a bridge - and now I am stronger and happier and can deal with a weekly dose of stress...at least I hope so:)

We didn't get lost, no, we wandered. We had an original plan, that was twisted on the drive up to the starting point, then it got turned around, and then, both of us known for taking off-trails and routes and admiring the views and a nice chat, we kind of lost track of where we are and how long we are out there. We packed great running on flattish terrain of Wyeth trail with a monster climb later, went for some dip into North Lake, too a bunch of turns that weren't on a radar, made it to Green Point and finished on a long winded nice downhill of Gorton trail. The weather was a bit cloudy and windy at first, and we worried how is the idea we cherished for couple of years of jumping into mountain lake going to stand, but it cleared out and sun came in all glory. Water wasn't all taht cold after all and provided some refreshment. We talked non-stop for the first 4+ hrs, but that Gorton trail...we got quiet, and it was the most wonderful peace on Earth, because it was like each of us owned that trail at the time yet, hearing footsteps of another person, we shared that love and trail with each other. Smooth stride and happy hopping over logs, tears in my eyes, put me unbelievably high, when it hit me: this is harmony for me, only this is serenity, now and here. When I ran in the mountains for hours, got my adrenaline up with pushing the uphills, endorphines with views, feeling sharing with good friend - and then I hit that nice downgrade for miles on end, soft dirt covered with pine needles, in a midst of tall trees with some sun picking out, that floating sensation of completely relaxing and allowing the trail dictate what I do, that total submerging into a soul of a downhill single track in the forest, 3 hrs of sleep, blisters and all - nothing could stop me, that absense of anything mind-numbing in a head...happiness...yep, downhill trail running is better than s*& and I am living there as I AM, not who somebody else wants me to be.

Below is a short picture story. Enjoy the views!