Last Tuesday I went on a run on Turkey Mountain. I was going to run with a group, the TATUR running group, but I was a little late. I actually saw them take off while I was still in my car but it took me a few minutes to make sure that I had all my stuff together and they left. I wasn’t too worried about it though. If I caught up with him them, great, if I didn’t, I’d still have a great time. I run Turkey Mountain in the summertime to beat the heat of the concrete trails and to get my head on straight.
I like to stop and take pictures. Turkey Mountain has a bunch of pretty good sized ponds.
Sometimes you can spot things. Like somebody using a battery to illegally shock fish. Turns the sport of fishing into catching.
When I lived in Texas close to a lake I knew several people who unashamedly would use such devices. Game laws to them were just a means to make sure that the suckers among us left plenty of fish and game for them.
The mountain bikers flew past me. The TATUR’s passed me on their way in. I could have turned around and gone with them but I wasn’t ready to quit. I was rewarded a little later with this sight.
I’ve seen lots of deer on Turkey Mountain. This one is the only one with the manners to wait while I got my camera out and ready. I have seen three fox on the Arkansas River trail, they seem to know when I don’t take my camera with me. Mannerly wildlife are always appreciated.
I passed through an area that burned last year. I don’t think it took many trees but it sure cleared out the brush and opened things up.
I got up to the top of the hill and had a good look at downtown to the north. To the south though, where I parked I had a ways to go. See the notch on the left side of the road? About where the car is on the road? That is where I parked.
Here is a closer look.
That is a long ways away. I made it though. I considered going down the highway or the adjoining power line right of way but I didn’t. I went down via a trail. Everybody was packed about and about to go. When you are a slow runner like me and take lots of pics, that happens a lot.
One last pic though and time to head home.
I had my handy dandy Garmin running watch with me and heart rate monitor so this is the fully documented route.
Looks like a much more appealing place to run than concrete. And who cares if you run with the pack.
Yogi,
If you wanna run with us TATURs, gimme a call or text and I’ll look for you. Last Tuesday I went out with a small group at 5:30 and came back and went out with a larger group at 6:30. My cell# is 918-814-6433.
I do agree with Gaelyn, it looks like a great place to run and definitely more desirable than concrete! Love your photos! Hope your day goes well!
Sylvia
You have a great place to run. I would definitely WALK it though because I wouldn’t want to miss any of the photo ops! 🙂 I’m shocked that people shock fish! I really didn’t know people did that!
It was so polite of that sweet little deer to wait for your to get your camera out.
So glad you’re mad enough to do a run like that, it allows others to enjoy your views:-)
Having put all that effort in, I’m shocked you only used up 428 calories – that’s simply not fair.
Very nice of that deer to stop and pose for you!
#Leedslass – I think that I have my watch set on the bicycle setting. I think the total calories should be around 800.
This is a great set, I love the atmosphere in the forest!
Shocking fishes? Never heard of it. Gives a whole new meaning to the “gone fishin'” phrase…
People actually SHOCK fish? That’s horrible!
Glad you had a good run and got some great photos!
What a lovely run – but how do you manage it with your camera round your neck?
Well that is one very cool watch to do all that for you. I wish I could burn a few calories just tracing this walk on your blog! That deer shot is a nice catch!
I need a garmin. That illustration has me sold. I don’t have anything that classy. I enjoyed looking/stalking your pics. I need to run about 10 miles today to burn off the crap I ate this weekend.
EgWow and Zhu – Shocking fish is old hat for poachers. Game wardens use the technique when they are trying to determine how much fish is an area. The fish are shocked and rise to the surface but recover.
When I worked in Texas, the poachers used old wind up telephones to generate the current. They called it “Calling Mr. Whiskers” in reference to catfish.
How exciting! The running track is inviting, Good you took some shots too, gives us a great idea of the place.
What a fun run, love to get off the beaten track, you just never know what you’re going to see in the trees.
That’s a great place to run. I love the shady trails. That deer was pretty as well as polite.
It’s fun to get all the stats with the Garmin watch.
I never used a battery to stun fish. We used to pack cherry bombs with mud to get them to go off under water. About all you scared up was sun perch and minnows. I heard that dynamite worked a lot better but we didn’t have any of that.
It’s great that you have such a fantastic place to run so near to the city, you have a fantastic eye to spot the local shy wildlife. I can’t believe people are shocking fish out of the water…where’s the sport in that?
The map was neat to see where you traveled to take the pictures. That is sad that people shock the fish. I never knew people did that! You learn something new every day.
been ages since i did running and your place looks like a really good one to get away from the concrete. really great shots and the map makes your post more informative. My world entry is here.