WV Trilogy ~ 2015 ~ Part 5 ~ Final ~ Shadows & Reflections

Our  entire weekend was filled with shadows. Here are a few.

Shadows around the Yurts

Shadows up on Spruce Knob Hike

 As tradition has it...Bud always takes a shot of me resting...including another shadow.

Here’s Bud trying to get his iPhone to balance on the rock. That was a tricky thing to do. What’s the blob on his face? Is it something on the lens...or maybe just the way the light was hitting it?

 He got it, FINALLY, with a wee shadow at the back.

I was so surprised to see the reflection of the trees in the back window...and I think there is part of the front porch in shadows, too.  Packing the car is always such a pain in the old back. Here we had just begun the undertaking.

“All shadows whisper of the sun.”

~Emanuel Carnevali

This post is linked with Weekend Reflections 

and Shadow Shot Sunday 2.

WV Trilogy 2015 ~ Part 4 ~ Skies

Our Visit to Spruce Knob  

On Saturday when Bud was not running, we decided to drive up to Spruce Knob. As we neared the top, there was a pull off, and we had the treat of seeing the fog move across the mountains. It was fascinating. The 1/2 mile walk around the knob covered with magnificent spruce trees was an experience I will never forget.

The weather was perfect. 

Once the fog moved over, these are the skies we saw. 

“When trees burn, they leave the smell of heartbreak in the air.”
~Jodi Thomas, Welcome to Harmony

This post is linked with Skywatch Friday.

WV Trilogy 2015 ~ Part 3 ~ Signs

These two shots were taken on our way to the mountain. There are lots less tires than in the past, but they still have them for sale.

There are always some neat bumper stickers.

You can’t have a race without port-a-johns.

I find these to be rather attractive...

if Port-a-Johns can be called attractive.

OOPS! You sloppy runners. That is a No-No!

And there is ALWAYS graffiti.

“Born for Supremacy” ~ How do they define “supremacy?”

Such a “lovely” thing to do and say as newlyweds.

I think NOT!!!

Here are some of the markers that guide the runners on the trails. 

This post is linked with Signs 2.

WV Trilogy 2015 ~ Part 2

 The West Virginia Trilogy takes place in the Monongahela National Forest and consists of three races three days in a row. This year was the sixth running of the trilogy. The first is 50k - but Bud only runs the marathon part of it. The second is 50 miles and he does NOT run that one. On Sunday is the half marathon and the 3 miler for both adults and children. Everyone has the best time, especially the children. Even wives that do not run have a good time. The food is wonderful and the people at the institute are the nicest folk.

And they are off...

All three races take off this way.

It is a very festive moment for runners and families.

Bud crossing the finish line after the first race on Friday.

He does not do the last loop so only ends up running a

marathon. That is his limit.

Here are his muddy, nasty shoes after the race.

Thank goodness he remembered to bring a second pair.

Needless-to-say, the socks had to be thrown away.

There was a torrential downpour right after the race began

which left all the trail slick and muddy. Luckily, Bud did not fall.

Bud after first loop on the half marathon on Sunday.

Bud finishing the half marathon.

He’s always wearing a grin when he crosses that line.

 Gotta love the skirt!

 Bud’s running friend, Nick, and his wife. 

 Nick ran all three races.

 My friend Rachel from Ona,WV... a high school math teacher.

Rachel taking water break after first loop.

Anneliese, Rachel’s daughter, reading instead of running.

She won a medal for her age group.

 Even the children run the 3 mile race.
 These three are all siblings.

Oh, sosososoooooo cute!

And little bunnies run atop their dad’s :-)

Here are the children waiting for their parents 

handing out the hand slaps.

Bud with Dan Lehmann, the “Commandant" of this race. 

He is so kind to both Buddy and me and always has 

that big, warm smile on his face.on his face.

This post is linked with Our World Tuesday.

Buddy’s running is definitely Our World.  He’s not in the races to win. He’s there because he loves what he’s doing, and he loves the people he is with.

“The miracle isn’t that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start.”

~John Bingham

No Need for Speed: A Beginner’s Guide to the Joy of Running