8/21/2015
When I looked out of the window at the Holiday Inn, the trees seemed to oscillate between forty-five degree angles and seventy degree angles. The rain came down like pellets and the clouds were not happy white cotton balls hanging in the sky. It would have been a hazard to run so Crystal asked the management if we could stay another day. They were happy to accommodate us. I would have liked to have used their swimming pool or played in their arcade but the time off for me meant I could give my legs some much needed rest. I probably had some other work I could have finished but sleep took hold. I used the rest day to shut my body down completely. It was heaven.
The next morning I knew I would run come rain or shine. It didn’t shine. For the first ten miles the rain drizzled. I was blessed to have the Central Lakes Trail at my feet. It kept my mind on pushing through the rain. My socks maintained dryness for a couple miles before succumbing to the tiny particles of water that soaked through my shoes. We had lunch at a parking area by the trail and I hung all my clothes to dry. I was thankful for our modest trailer. At that moment it seemed like one of the best investments the foundation had ever made. I wrapped my body in a blanket and huddled in the warmth. I must have looked like a giant burrito. Perhaps I thought that because Crystal was busy preparing egg burritos for lunch. The heat from the stove and the fluffy eggs in my stomach relaxed me to the point of slumber. Despite having slept an entire day, I felt compelled to nap and take my mind off the elements.
Once the journey resumed, the schizophrenic weather had a difficult time deciding what to throw my way. I ran through patches of hard rain, sunshine, light rain, wind, and gloom. Every half mile the weather changed on me until I reached the final eight miles. After twenty-two miles the rain had decided to stop beating on me. Mother Nature took pity on me and figured I earned a few miles of clear weather. The last seven miles carried me to Ashby resort and campground. Two swarms of tiny bugs on the trail stood between me and another successful day. One of the tiny nuisances even jumped into my eye. I outran the bugs and reached a tiny little paradise. The grounds had plenty of RV’s on site and it had cabins for those that like a bit more modern comfort. The lush green grounds and large lake provided a tranquil setting. The two owners were a lovely and kind couple. Mike and Diane gave me a warm greeting and welcomed me with open arms. I was happy to swap stories with them but I didn’t want to take up their evening. They had stayed open a few minutes past closing for us.
Not a peep sounded on the grounds throughout the night. When I woke up, the air nipped at my nose but the sun shined. It looked like it was going to be a dry day. I thought it was prudent to resume the trail early. It turned out the entire day would pass quickly. I counted the numerous lakes I had passed. Minnesota was the state of 10,000 lakes. It was possible that I had run past a few hundred at that point.
I bolted to Fergus Falls where the Comfort Inn awaited. We even had a meal donation from Applebee’s. Their buttery pasta slipped down my throat. The veggies in my dish were a deep green color so I knew my body was getting some good nutrients. To top it off, we received prompt and pleasant service. My glass of hydration never reached empty. Considering my thirst, it was an achievement. It was impossible for the day to have gotten any better. I was wrong.
When I stepped inside the room at the Comfort Inn, my eyes blinked in amazement. I had a Jacuzzi tub beside the living area where I could watch television and relax. The bedroom was separated from the living area by two large doors. On king sized bed there were a bunch of pillows ranging from soft to firm. I wanted to catch up on work but I would first take a moment to unwind. It was important to stop and enjoy the view.
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