GFH3 Run #1,673; 8 Dec 2012

Check the gas tank, hashers -- we're off to Paeonian Springs for another in a long, long series of gorgeous, warm, sunshiny hashes.  Easy Strider, Flowerkraut and Susie Calico were waiting on the beautifully-landscaped front deck to greet about 25-30 of Great Falls's finest.  While the walkers strolled off up the street, the runners set out to cross the girder and climb to the hill to the W&OD trail.  "They do that every time," E.S. noted with amazement as the pack headed in the wrong direction.  There was some confusion or contention over the meaning of the first check and its extra arm; once addressed by the kindly hare, the runners made for the fields.  E.S. nonetheless felt a responsibility to sweep up behind.

Mystifying?

Plenty of cross-country trail in this run, and at least one low-running stream, and I'm guessing a few cow pats.  About two-thirds of the pack chose to cut the trail "short" -- remember who's setting, now.  Waiting near the W&OD, after a brisk walk, for the would-be eagles, I saw a fox race across the field, not more than ten meters from me, its brush streaming out behind.  Beautiful.  As the ads say:  "Paeonian Springs.  It's worth the trip."

Mildly scratched up around the ankles and lower legs, everyone made it home thirsty for great beer.  We also got a round of pizza and salad, and a bevy of desserts.  Wine, of course, though you can pretty much tell that it's not the focus at this on-in.

Not-Scarlet checks out the walkers' on-trail find.

Moaner Lisa and Naughty Nurse showed up for the easy part, the former celebrating something like 945 runs.  And Peanut was there again, as was Scarlet, now named something else I knew I would forget.  This re-naming of critters who have already been introduced...

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