Wild Moose Chase Not on Mt. Spokane

The Wild Moose Chase got moved from Mt. Spokane to Riverside State Park.  Why?  There was snow on Mt. Spokane.  Not a big deal but the parking lot was so muddy the trucks couldn't plow to make the parking lot parkable (parkable is not a word, I know, I am OK with it).  Unfortunate.  I like doing this on Mt. Spokane better than Riverside State Park.  The company was great as always. 

 We found the moose.  He isn't hard to find.

 Ready, set, go!

 I just love red barns.

 The road less travel in the forest!

 Sheila and Michelle are all smiles!  That's because it is so fun to do trail runs.

 In the beginning the trail was very wide and obvious.

 We did have to dodge a lot of mini lakes along the way!

Now is this the trail?  Turns out is was because we did make it to the finish line.  There was some confusion about it though.

 Once in a while you just have to pose and let me take a picture.

We take these races very seriously. We are focused on the race. Focused on working hard, not stopping, challenging ourselves and getting it done in the best time possible.  Oh look! There is a cute puppy.  Let's stop and pet it and take some pictures. So adorable!

 And the trail narrows!

 Big rocks as obstacles!  Does this look like a trail?  I think not!

The trail did get a bit confusing at times.  By that I mean you couldn't tell where the trail was.  Sheila was our scout and helped us notice the neon green ribbons on the trees to guide our way.  Turns out she helped the people behind us too.

 Go this way!

 Yes! Another green ribbon.  We could just finish this thing and not get lost in the woods.

 And we did!  All done!

 The moose was there to greet us.

Lost of treats at the end of the trail run.  We headed out for lunch at the Maple Street Bistro.   As always hanging out with good friends equals good times.  Thanks for the memories, Sheila, Peggy and Michelle.  You are the best!  I hope they don't keep the location of the Wild Moose Chase in Riverside State park.  It just isn't the same!

The Wild Moose Chase 2018

Well, this wasn't exactly the moose we were hoping to find.  This moose is a tad bit safer than the moose that walks on four legs.  

Brrr! Does it look cold and wet?  It was but these friends are still smiling!  Michelle and Sheila!

Before we started we got to stay in the cross county lodge thankfully!!!

The 25K group and the 10K group had already taken off.  Just the 5K gang in the lodge.  There was some talk about doing the 10K next year but after discussion we decided the weather is unpredictable this time of year and the 5K is just fine.  

WHAAAT.  They left the moose head in the lodge!  Well, that sort of ruins the moose chase.

And here we go.  Cold, wet, foggy and muddy.  A good time for all.

We made new friends along the way, OF COURSE.  Sheila already knew her.  Jessica I think.  We welcomed her to hang out with us and she said later she might have turned around and gone back if we hadn't come along.  Glad we invited her to stay with us.

Even though the weather wasn't the greatest the fall colors were out in full force.  So beautiful!

Hills, so many steep hills!

They look so innocent in the pictures!

Almost done! The victory pose!

We only had to climb over one fallen tree! Not bad.  Sheila was a helper and held it down for us.  She said something to us about being height challenged.

We added another friend!  New friends are the best!

We did it!  We decided this trail run is a tradition now.  We will be back next year.  Maybe next year we will need our snow shoes.  Who knows! 

The moose has it's head on now.  A picture with the moose, even if it isn't a real moose, is a must.

We had to clean all the mud off of us before we got in my car.  Then off to some lunch with great friends!  Up next is the Pumpkin Pacer in Deer Park!