I live in the beautiful Endless Mountains area of Pennsylvania. The green, tree covered mountains seem to stretch as far as the eye can see. The winding quiet roads are a great place to put in a few miles of easy running, or, if you are so inclined, a runner may put in a vigorous routine of unlimited miles.
In either case, the scenery is beautiful in a primitive, rural sort of way and I love running on the quiet roads when I can.
It was early in the morning. The sun was just beginning to warm the earth. Shades of gold splashed across the sky as I stepped outside and inhaled the fresh, fragrant air. Flowers were everywhere, and birds were entertaining me with their cheerful songs. I thought a nice gentle pace was in order, especially on the hills I would encounter. I planned on running five miles today.
I pondered which route I wanted to take and settled upon one that would take me on a dirt road that gradually makes its way past fields and forests to the lovely Susquehanna River. The road would eventually run parallel to the river and I never tired of the view of the wide and stark cliffs that rise straight up on the other side of the inviting water.
By the time I reached the water, I would be half done with my run and would decide whether I would continue up a steep hill and thus complete a circular trip , or if I would turn around and run back on the same road with its rolling terrain. It sometimes depends on the type of wildlife I encounter.
I was thrilled on this day to see a flock of Canadian geese settled on the large pond and I listened to them as they called to one another as I ran by. The pond was some distance from the road, so I didn't really disturb them very much.
Further on I saw a group of squirrels leaping and playing until they spotted me. They then began the bark-cry of scolding and shook their tails at my intrusion into their world.
This was a good run. The temperature was moderate and the sky was blue.
Ahead of me was a thicket at the bottom of a hill. The trees crowd in to the very edge of the
