Date: May 9, 2014
Time: About 3:30 p.m.
Weather: Overcast but humid
Terrain: Gravel road, some small hills
Difficulty: Easy-Moderate
Distance: 2 miles, back and forth
Shoes: Nike+ Volmero 8s
Bonus: Discovering a culvert stream and a field of horses and yellow flowers
My father-in-law passed away last fall. One of his favorite places in this world is the family plot of land near Reva, Virginia - pictured above (the picture from a brisk clear day this last winter). I went running on the packed gravel road leading to the property. It was the day before his "celebration of life," which we finally held after many months of grieving and confusion and waiting for the weather to turn better.
The route I picked was on Desert Road (State Route 606), just off of Hoover Road (State Route 609) running west from Route 29 (Culpepper to Charlottesville leg). The route is a relatively quiet one through a collection of occasional houses tucked behind trees on large acre, wooded plots. A reasonable quick run if you are in the area doing wine tasting in the area (Ducard, a family favorite is nearby).
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| Throwing shadows on a somewhat overcast day. During a sunlight flash through the gathering clouds |
I have never run on this road. Doug and I would come out and do work on the farm, or my wife and I would be dashing out to the farm to meet him after he had been working since sunrise. We usually only drove over its gravel and around its serpentine curves. It was good to finally paw through this area that had meant so much to him.
It was also good to find some new sights - like this blossoming tree.
I was out at the farm to help guide the setup of a tent for Doug's party the next day. After that and some unloading of party gear, the run was a good chance to be quiet, think of him, and remember our time out at what he called "the farm."
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| The property with the horses (which promptly fled as I walked up the lane) and the amazing blanket of yellow flowers dusting the fields around the house. |
Running back from my turn around point, I was struck by the beauty of this lane. Diffused light blowing through the canopy of fresh green foliage made me feel just a bit younger as I ran back.
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| Desert Road, an arc of gravel and dirt through wooded plots. |
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| The entrance to the Courtney property. Doug - ever the patriot - marked the land with a simple American flag. |
If you run this route, feel free to park your car just inside the gate pictured above. It is comprised of a simple chain that you can drop on the ground and drive over. Please replace it when you depart.
