please don't feed the horse

today i walk five plus hours, to Marin Headlands . . . the stables. it is the longest i will walk in my training, and i have carefully chosen this months ago, when i first mapped out the training routes and thought of places i wanted to walk to. haven't i loved the Headlands since my first visit in 1988? i think about that as i walk. today my route takes me high in along familiar territory: past two of the Golden Gate Raptor Observatory hawkbanding blinds/ sites, where i used to sit and lure in hawks, band and release them.

someone has just dined, i see :

the ground opens up below my feet

as i decend into the Valley, it feels like Scotland, if i know what that is

Bridget and Carrie meet me at the stables there in the truck after they finish up at the artist's talk at Headlands Art Center. our timing is perfect. they are full of smiles & they bring me a sandwich. we sit together a while in the warm evening sunlight and i am happy to be here.

i show them a stick i've found that looks like a horse.
we laugh at this sign nailed to the wooden table :