Getting our butts kicked on Route 66!

Nine runners inaugurated NATRA's first ever run on the Route 66 Mountain Biking Loop on Ash Fork Hill, about 10 minutes west of Williams, Arizona. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, my Kaibab National Forest co-worker Teri Cleeland had the foresight to create a mountain bike loop trail out of the 1921 Old Trails Highway section and 1931 Route 66 alignment. She also had successfully nominated them to the National Register of Historic Places.

For more than twenty years I thought this would make tough 10K, but it wasn't until today that NATRA gave it a spin. The run was every bit as challenging for runners (and David on his Mountain Bike) as it was from the truckers heating up their engines climbing I-40 just to the south of us. We ran the loop counter clockwise so that we could retrace the steps of the runners that competed in the 1928 Footrace Across America, 84 years ago this March! See video below.



Running westward on the broken pavement of the 1931 Route 66 alignment we had a blast and encountered a recently stenciled Route 66 marker in the old pavement. The vistas to the west were stunning and the run was pretty much downhill - we were feeling pretty fast....but what goes down....

See David Blanchard's Photography Blog about this run.

The return was another story. It was entirely uphill with a few twists and turns that left many walking the way that most "bunioneers" did in 1928 up the same exact path. Only when they did it, there had been a snowstorm in the high country so no doubt they had added weight. Despite the nearly 500 foot ascent(that felt like 1000), all felt well challenged and excited to have this run added to our repertoire! Thanks to Don Bayles for the photos below!

In addition to the above video, two amazing books give different accounts of the Bunion Derby. The Bunion Derby, by Charles B. Kastner, University of New Mexico Press 2007; and C.C. Pyle's Amazing Foot Race, Rodale Press 2007.

Beaver Creek on the Rampage!

(Thanks to Bruce for the above photos and below commentary!)
Spring must be here; the women are back in the majority on NATRA runs! Eight women and four males (if you count Dylan, the dog) headed up toward the pools, with most folks going the distance. Peer-pressure didn't work on Sabrina this time, although she at least dipped her feet in the frigid springtide. We gathered at the Bean afterward.

1882 Johnson Canyon Tunnel Run

12 runners and Matt the Mountain Biker toured back in time to 1882 to visit the Historic Johnson Canyon Tunnel , about 10 miles northwest of Williams, Arizona. (Thanks to Don Bayles for the following photos).

With Mark, Howard, and Scott joining the group it was just like the first days of NATRA.

The out and back run was almost exactly a 10K, with the downhill return harder as the approaching winter storm brought 30-40 mile per hour head winds.


The inside of the tunnel briefly provided a sanctuary from the winds of March.

And yes, as it was a truly tough journey, as NATRA runners did see the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel!

If you missed out on this run, it is certain to become part of our repertoire! In addition, we will add the 10K abandoned Route 66 loop run in the same area and also add the Bill Williams Mountain climb to our list of great runs on the western edge of the Mogollon Rim! Bring on the snows so we can get rid of the wind!

A Windless Sandy Seep?

An unusually small turnout today for the group run at Sandy Seep. Well for those that missed, you will be surprised to hear that the wind was noticeably absent. Yes, the usual wind blasted run was more pleasant than ever. David, Neil, and Don enjoyed soaking in the rich colors that contrasted with a snow covered Mount Elden. David bounding out front encountered several deer, but could not catch up with any of the elk running just ahead.

We also ran the trail to do a condition assessment on our section of the Arizona Trail and to take photos for the new Arizona Trail guidebook. The trail was certainly in good shape, except where Neil and Don took a wrong turn. So others don't make our same mistake, we built two small cairns where the trail is obviously missing a carsonite post north of Sandy Seep. On the downhill return, Neil stumbled twice taking two spills but managed to protect the camera on his way to the ground. All returned safe and went their separate ways, Neil to patch up his bruises....

Next week we will meet at the parking lot of the Flagstaff West Athletic Club at 8 AM and head for a special run west of Williams, Arizona. We will run to the abandoned 1882 Johnson Canyon Tunnel. Don't miss out on this run back through time!

Dodging Leprechauns on Brins Mesa

(Thanks to Bruce for the post and Don for the photos!)Jen, Diana, Susan, David, Don, Chris, Sabrina and Bruce avoided the Sedona leprechauns and their odd calendar by moving today's run from Jordan Road to Soldier Pass for the 5+-mile loop that feels like a lot more. Several people decided just jogging this tough loop wasn't enough and added bits to it - a climb up a rock monument, a jog to Dry Creek and back up Brins, a jog in the neighborhood or a jog to the coffee shop 2 miles down the hill. All had a great time and the little people were back under the hill for the year as we departed town.

A Yetiless Campbell Mesa

No Yetis or rogue pandas on a blustery Saturday morning at Campbell Mesa. The above video was taken last December - remember winter?

Today, 17 runners, Tony on his bike, and more newbies than ever ran in what felt more like spring than the end of February! Bret was right on about running the loop counter clockwise. The tail wind may be in part to explain for the early blistering pace. However when Team USA Arizona runners led by Brett Gotcher blew by us, they created a head wind that dropped many of us dead in our tracks. Back at the parking lot, I did not understand why I was the only one who could see a shiny white full moon at 10:15 AM.

We made our first visit to the Seasoned Kitchen in a while, and Tony warmed everyone up with his gourmet lates! While it was a great run, many of us still longed for winter to show up!

Later in the day, John, Diana, Jen, and Neil represented NATRA at the Big Brothers Big Sisters of Flagstaff Bowl For Kid's Sake fundraiser. It was probably the exhausting runs earlier in the day that prevented any of them from breaking the 100 barrier - but we sure had fun trying to do so!


Jen, John, Diana and Neil

Well, we all shared a lane and collectively broke 100 proving once again that the sum of us was greater than our parts!

Companion to A Run Down Memory Lane

A Run Down Memory Lane. Arizona Daily Sun 2/19/2012.

Conservatory Water Boat Pond.

Central Park Zoo Seals.

September 19, 1981 Simon and Garfunkel in Central Park




June 12, 1982 Springsteen and Jackson Brown at the Rally for Disarmament in Central Park. Rolling Stone article.





Crouching Bronze Lion

Egypt or Central Park: Where Does an Ancient Obelisk Belong?

A Hiking Guide for the Central Park Reservoir.

Why Did Tavern Fail?"