Fall: What is it Good For? Trail Running with the Dogs

As I listen to the excitement of Fall fans praising the crisp air, and crackly fireplaces and toasty warm sweaters they now can wear, the only emotion I can produce is fear.  Yes, fear of oncoming Winter and 20 inches of snow, and whipping,  bone chilling cold.  Fall is not my favorite season; there I've said it. And I know I'll be pelted with rotting, drying leaves of various shades, but I don't care.

Heat, humidity, the beach, that's my temperature of choice; the hotter the better. There's only one activity, however, that I will admit to enjoying about the Fall and that is running in cooler weather. Other than running on the beach, my other favorite place for a jog is on trails, where I can take my dogs. 

The East Setauket Greenway trail is a just that kind of pleasure.  It is a paved trail that stretches for about 1.5 miles one way, winding its way through foliage, and adorned by wildlife (birds and bunnies). The recently installed benches invite the tired to sit and people and dog watch.  For the most part, you and your dogs are safe, the scenery is great and most folks greet you with a friendly wave of their hand. Your dogs will also love you for it; it's their chance for sniffing and socialization. Everyone gets their needs met!

The intersections can be hairy, though, especially when the speeding cars and trucks ignore the motion activated lights, which blink when bikers or walkers pass. And I do let these motorists know how disappointed I am that they didn't stop, not necessarily verbally!

Even though I've revealed my guilty Fall pleasure, I'm still an Autumn scrooge. So, please, Fall fans of football, wool scarves, hot buttered rum and leaf raking, keep your elation to yourself...I'm running right by you in my warm ups!