Many locals around Bellingham are enjoying some amazingly sunny weather this February -- causing many (including me) to partake in more Spring-like activities. A recent crystal-clear Sunday morning inspired me to take a trail run on the Interurban with a friend and our dogs. I love this trail. I have hiked with friends and family, trained for half-marathons and even puttered along, slowly taking in the mossy, fern-filled woods and small critters along this scenic waterfront trail. (BTW, you can access the Interurban from Fairhaven, Old Fairhaven Parkway, Old Samish/Arroyo, Chuckanut Drive and/or Clayton Beach parking lot). One of the things I love is that every venture on this trail is different-- somtimes it's peaceful, othertimes I'm doing my best Rocky impersonation as I trudge up that (painfully long) hill and try to keep my running pace. This time around, it felt like I was among the privledged. For me, Arroyo Park is usually a sacred Summer and Fall destination -- mostly due to the steep muddy switchbacks that you encounter almost immediately upon starting the trail. But on a sunny, unseasonably warm February? It was just right... cool enough for us to want to keep running and moving, dry enough to keep the mud from splattering on our backs and festive enough for our dogs to scamper, run, drink from the stream and chase many a squirrel --and even at one point, a horse. (That would be Pete, my dog-- who's still a puppy and completely convinced that anything and anyone on 2-4 legs would be happy to "play"... thankfully, I stepped in just in time with the leash.). We saw a few strollers, bikers, hikers and yes, horseback riders. The smiles and warm "hellos" made me feel like we were all in on this magical secret. Arroyo Park is great for a slow stroll or a toughening trail run -- all seasons, especially if you're going during a dryspell. It's a great way to see the Bay, the Chuckanut mountains, the woods and a lot of smiling faces. 2-4 legs required.
