Day 3255 —to the River!—

I didn't realize there was a trail just past Powder Valley until Joel told me a few days ago, suggesting a run there. I was nervous starting a trail so late in the run, not knowing how much I would be able to do before I needed to head back to the pavement, but it just ended up working out. I was close to 7 miles in when I made it to an entrance I could start running through. I didn't know the trail, but I knew the area enough to know which way the river should be, so I headed that way. When I saw the river, it made the trip worthwhile. The water was moving fast, the bridge towering high above the surface of the river.

I ran along the river for a while until I couldn't find the trail anymore, and then I headed back the other way and ended up out on the road. When I looked at my watch to confirm I was heading back the right way, I realized I had found a different entrance and needed to turn around. I am not sure how often I will add this trail to my long runs, but it is a dream come true to be able to run to the Meramec River and back again without even being gone 4 hours. I brought my credit card, not my water bottle, but when I stopped, I was at the end of my run, a little after 16 miles, but I was getting thirsty by then.