Pick your path in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Any path. There are countless, tree-covered paths to run through the woods and hills around Ashville, NC. Nearly everyone Karen and I bothered for conversation mentioned how Ashville reminded them of Boulder, Colorado. Guess where we’re from, we would respond in unison, just like when our kids ask us anything. We’ve been married too long.

I ran the Hard Times Loop this morning, about 15 minutes south of our stay at the Cedar Crest Inn on Biltmore Ave.

I have to say, flowers were few and far between all the greenery. The trails around Ashville are green. This loop with graceful slopes was completely covered by a canopy of trees the entire six-plus miles. It had a magical quality to it. I felt spoiled running there. These daisies were surrounded by 500 hundred meters of greenery in every direction.

The Lyreleaf Sage was equally secluded. I only saw a few plants over six miles.

The Mountain Laurel was just as lonely. I would see a tree every mile or so, except near the trailhead where they lined the trail for a short while.

I saw one orange mushroom on the entire run. I’ve always wished I knew my mushrooms. Seems like a writer should know his poisonous plants. One of these days I’ll read a book on mushrooms.

I hope to run some more trails this week. This loop was merged with the Mountains-to-Sea Trail for a ways. If I can, I’ll make it to the Appalachian Trail. The AT. That’s on my list. It’s not far from here.

I could run under these trees forever.