Things I'll never encounter when running in Seattle ...

Sorry JC.. .this was sooo good,  I stole it for my blog !!!!  I had to share !  This is my sister's latest running adventure... with her running partner getting ready for the Marathon in June :

Started out in the moose swamps but the trail climbs up onto a bench with great views and spruce trees.  Gorgeous evening, the trail wasn’t quite as dry as we had hoped J but it was a very fun run.  We did about 3-1/2 miles out then turned back.  On the downhill run we saw a 4-wheeler coming.  He pulled to the side and flagged us down.  Early 30s, very clean cut, all the spiffy camo gear and spanking new ATV complete with shotgun across the handlebars. 

You ladies out for a run? (um, no?  We’re just out in the woods RUNNING in shorts and tank tops at 8 p.m. sweating like pigs.) 

Yep.

Where’s your dog? (wtf?)

We don’t have a dog.

You ladies have bear spray? (aha!)

Nope.

You ladies armed? (yeah.  Because there are SO MANY places to hide a sidearm in lycra shorts and tank tops.)

Nope. 

Because you know this is bear country and there’s a lot of bears around here.  And this area is open to baiting now.

Yes, we know.  We didn’t see any bear sign and no reasonable bear is going to hassle 2 women loping along yakking.  And yes we know what we’re doing in bear country.

You ladies should be more careful. 

THEN I figured out it was a state trooper.  I told him I was a lot more concerned about the hunters then I was the bears.  Bears can usually be counted on to have common sense.  Humans on 4-wheelers with guns, not so much.

I don’t think he was amused.   He went on his way and we went on ours, all of us shaking our heads.