Well, here we are again.  The Pumpkin Pacer in Deer Park.  We had rain on the way to Deer Park and it was cold!  We headed right inside the church where the race started. No need to stay outside and freeze before we started.  Cold legs might mess with our time for the run.  HA!!!

We weren't the only ones who decided to stay warm for a short time before the race started.  Layne and the Deer Park Cross Country Team did stay outside and watch the little kids do their race.  That was nice of them for sure.  

So cute!

Many if not all of the people participating stayed inside until it was time to start.  Lots of fun costumes.

We waited until the last minute to line up.  Layne, in the orange, ran with her Deer Park Cross Country Team for a practice.  Her parents and sister were at a soccer game so Layne got to hang out with us after the race.  She finished in a little over 20 minutes.  She had to wait for us needless to say.

 Diligently stretching!

 Thing One and Thing Two!

 Kat and Sheila!

 Jackie and Kat!

 Layne told me number 171 is a teacher in Deer Park.  He is very disguised.  

Off we go and no rain so far but it had rained.  You can see the wet streets.  A couple of us didn't prepare for the rain.  Oh no!

Look a little sun peaking through the clouds.  We might survive this race with no rain!  That would be neat.

 Mile 1 done!  Boy, does this picture show the best of fall in the Pacific Northwest. Beautiful!  Sheila and Michelle look great too.

 Peggy at mile 1!

Love this house.  I think some day I will live in a house like this.  Don't get me wrong, I love the house I live in but I just feel there will be a change somewhere along the line.

 Go to church people.  It's good for you!  Learn about the best gift ever! God's love for us!

 Lots of leaves not attached to the trees.

 This store is a little ahead of the season!  They did throw out some pumpkins for good measure!

 Bonnie at the 2 mile mark.

On the home stretch. There weren't as many decorated houses to take pictures of this year.  Disappointing! 

 Approaching the finish line and we made it with no rain!!!

Finished!!!  We didn't pin our numbers on and no timing chip.  I had to dig my number out of my pocket to show them at the finish line.  Looks like Michelle did too.

One last picture of some pirates after the race, inside the church.

Layne went with us to get some lunch.  One minor detail, no room in the car for her.  She squished in between Sheila and me.  She said it was like doing a wall sit.  We had a yummy lunch and great conversation.  I look forward to the next time we all get together.  These friends are really good people!!!

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!