Saller Woods Trails
Run Time: 61:40 + 2-minute kick
Burlington is a small community, and I was staying at another AmericInn, half of which was under construction. The desk clerk was nice, but it was her second day, and the credit card reader was not working, and she had to call her boss and get instructions over-the-phone for how to enter my card info manually. I asked her if she could check to make sure that my Wyndham Rewards number was entered, and she pleaded for me to come back at a later hour and ask the next person to do that.
All of this, plus the hotel was right next to a busy divided road had me assuming that my run would require a drive to a safe running spot. I looked at the map on my phone, and it looked like there was a gravel road or a wide trail running alongside the busy road, and then it crossed road and ran alongside another road and then maybe through a forest. Worth a shot.
It was only about 12 minutes to the forest, and then — voila — beautiful wide running trails. The main trail snaked through the forest and meadows and wetlands to another road, and several spurs cut off in both directions. No one else in sight. Some mild slopes and grassy sections — paradise.
These were hiking/running trails, yes… in the summer. What they are really designed for, however, is snowmobiles. There were little snowmobile signs at certain junctures to help the winter recreationalists in times of blizzard, I suppose. There were a lot of bike tire tracks, so obviously I was not the only summer recreationalist to partake, but I feel somewhat appreciative of what Wisconsin does to keep their snowmobilers happy.
I had a grand time zigging and zagging out of forest and into open spaces. Some of the trees were decent size — and conifers, not leafifers. The shade of the forest was very welcome. I saw no critters and wildlife, but also felt no mosquitos or bees. There was a little of conservative backwoods vibe, but I kept my head on a swivel.
It is the unexpected pleasure that hits best. At the end of a long day of sitting in a car, snacking on Santitas and peanuts, trying to stay awake and hydrated, typing sales notes into a phone screen, listening to the map lady interrupt my podcast or my music, patiently waiting for the AmericInn newbie to get me checked in, this network of snowmobile trails made my day.
I felt more energized after the run than I did before. I showered, ate leftover nachos for the third consecutive night, finished the last of the sauvignon blanc my wife sent with me, practiced some guitar, did all my catch-up work, and watched a little West Wing. And the hotel was very quiet. Breakfast in the morning was a little meager, but the AmericInn is not known for its fine dining.
Don't Make It a Habit. Make It a Ritual. 