Interurban Trail, Clayton Beach — Saturday, Mar. 16, 2024

Spring doesn't officially start till next week, but today felt like it's here. That first day when you can sit on a beach in a T-shirt and exult in the sun's warmth--oh yeah.  Ridin' the Blissmobile. We did a mellow hike today along the Interurban, starting from Arroyo Park and going to the Lost lake parking lot, then crossing Chuckanut Drive and picking up the 1/2 mile path down to Clayton Beach. The Interurban was busy with trail runners doing a 50k, which was fun to watch. I think I observed every facial expression catalogued by mankind as folks passed: exhilaration, joy, determination, pain, nausea, "in the zone" . . . I'm running my first half-marathon next week and hoping to avoid the less gratifying emotions . . . Weaving our way past the cheering onlookers near the Lost Lake lot, we made our way to Clayton Beach. The trail down there had been recently regraded, and is easier ton follow than it was this fall. Lots of picnicking families, with kids splashing in the water or playing on the beach. Just a joyous scene. RT was 8 miles. Temps around 60 at 2 pm. No obstacles on the clearly marked paths. Happy sun, All!