TBG has the flu. Or a cold. Depends on who you ask. If you ask me, I say it really makes no difference since the “treatment” is the same. That means he’s been down since Monday-ish doing what sick folks do, until yesterday when he decided he felt well enough to want to take a walk to help alleviate the comorbidity of cabin fever. We successfully treated that with a walk (walk-run for me) on our home trail. Feeling even better today, he was up for another outing, but we didn’t want to overdo it, and I had just the place in mind.
Earlier this year, I was browsing our county’s website, looking at all the parks listed. Many are too small for any real walking, but there are a few that we’ve never visited that offer some longer trails. Cedar Creek Park is only about 10 minutes away, and the website says there are three miles of trails there. The Washington Trails Association site says there are four. We added up all the numbers and only came up with two and a half, and we probably only got in two of those.
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| TBGuide back in action. |
The websites also say that, although small in area, the trails can be confusing, so it’s best to take a printed map, which we did. It’s the same map TBGuide is indicating above. Unfortunately, that map is only minimally helpful, with some small spur trails missing altogether, and the ones that are shown aren’t exactly accurate in either distance or connection. I don’t want to complain too much, though, because the printable online maps are courtesy of the Friends of Cedar Creek, and they are all local volunteers who have worked hard recently to formalize this park. And the map did keep us from getting lost, so I tip my headband to you, volunteers!
I picked a pink stone to hide, matching the pink on my new boots. Did I really want hot pink on my new boots? Not especially, but they kind of look rad in person, and most importantly, they’re comfortable and lighter-weight than my old ones. It is hard to take new boots out for their maiden walk, though, knowing they’re gonna get at least a little messed up. TBG gets credit for picking out the hidey-hole for the Festone near a crossing over Cedar Creek.
The trails are actually in good shape, lacking serious mud, making my new boots happy. It’s a vibrantly green area, too.
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| Slightly sloshy. |
There were a few places with some standing water. And some with a bit of rushing water.
But most of the way was pretty smooth, and occasionally there were actual signs. It was a nice little oasis in which to stretch our legs until TBG is back in the pink.