My Morning Run. Clouds are Cool.

In January I decided to cut back on the caffeine and that's meant, for most days, a single glass of diet Coke. But then Thursday night I dreamed that I was looking for a Dr. Pepper to drink before going skiing. Friday the dream change to a pre-marathon Dr. Pepper search. Two nights of dreams about the dark nectar was sure to be a sign. Perhaps my subconscious informed my dream center that I was planning a 16 mile run Saturday morning. Well, it worked. Up I woke, down a Dr. Pepper and banana, and put on my Saucony's. Good to go. 

This is not my Dr. Pepper can.

One mile from home is the EIU football stadium and outdoor track. It's state high school track and field meet time and that means Big Al breaks out his lemon shake-up trailer for the summer. If you haven't had a lemon shake-up it's like drinking a tumbler of sugar water with a pinch of lemon. Like fry sauce in Utah, they are way over rated by Illinoisans, if you ask me.

Big Al's Lemon Shake-ups.

About two miles from home and on the west edge of town are the Lincolnshire Apartments, our first home in Charleston back in 1990. We lived in a three bedroom apartment on Union Street for 18 months. 

Our first street. 

I was blessed with a cloud covered sky that filtered the sun's rays down to a very bearable minimum.

Sunrise

The mostly deserted Brown Shoe Company stands just off the bike trail. It reminds me of seeing Buster Brown Shoes at Keith O'Brian's in Logan. I always thought they were ugly. 

Buster Brown Shoe Company

Buster Brown Shoes

Ah, the bike trail. This is looking east toward the the beginning of the trail. Being a old railroad line, the trail typically has a right and a left lane to it. This section doesn't get as much traffic thus the weed covered right (or south) lane. 

I took the trail least traveled (right) and it made no difference.

With the cold winter behind us, I think most farmers have their fields planted but that's not why I took this pictures. I took it because I was still grateful for a sky of clouds to cool my way.

I love clouds on a sunny day.

 Running past Charleston High football stadium I spotted this wig on the crossing sign. I don't think it's Molly's but it reminded me of the picture of her wearing great-grandma Freeman's wig. Molly, let me know if you want this wig and I'll go back and look for it.

Flipped your wig?

There it is. A 16 mile deposit in the bank of preparation for the Grand Island Marathon in July. 

Mile 1 - Big Al's

Mile 2 - Union Street

Mile 5 - Sunrise

Mile 9 - Brown Shoe Company

Mile 10 - Trail less traveled

Mile 11 - Clouds

Mile 14 - Missing Wig