The Dark Side of the Moon

So as we resurface on the grid, I think now would be an appropriate time to get you dear reader caught up on the current situation. Since we left Stanford, Zac and I have been able to run in some places that would even compare to the awesome landscapes of Big Sur. Our run to Pacifica from Pescadero was a thrill to remember! After Zac and I had crossed the rolling hills leading up to the southern tip of San Francisco, we were met with a harrowing stretch of hills, curves, and cliffs which lived up to its name, Devil’s Slide. Now those who are familiar with this stretch of road, the closest thing I could probably relate the experience to, is if you were trying to run on a roller coaster track with the roller coaster still running. Needless to say, our descent down the other side of this gnarly stretch of highway was in the 6:30 minute mile pace as though we thought we could outrun the cars. Once down the other side, much to our relief (and my mother’s as I’m sure she is just sitting on the edge of her chair by now) the road widened and we finished on a fairly flat stretch on the Pacifica coastline. 

Our stay in Pacifica was shortlived, for it wasn’t soon after the sun came up that we were back on the trail again. This day would be particularly interesting as we made our way across the city of San Francisco. By now, I would say that we have gotten used to the hills, or at least, we aren’t as surprised when we look up at the some of the roads we run on as they disappear into the clouds. Once inside downtown S.F., the looks on people’s faces said it all. Two guys, running shorts, and a baby jogger labeled “Mexico to Canada” running up market street…. and they thought they had seen it all! Zac and I took the ferry to the other side of the bay and kept on trekking for a few more miles before we hit our rendezvous point. After a lunch of what can best be described by Zac as a “sour cream and lettuce” burrito, we were full but far from satisfied. Our ride came and we were once again whisked away to our hosts house outside of Oakland. That night we were treated to ice cream at Fenton’s, the ice cream shop that is shown in the final scene of the newest Pixar movie “Up”! Yes, it really exists, and no, we did not count the red and blue cars, maybe next time though.

The leaving of the San Francisco area marked the end of civilization for us for quite some time. Even now as I am writing this, I am extremely surprised that we have internet. That morning, we left the sunny confines of Larkspur and made our way back onto the coast. One of the most awesome things to see is the change in climates from just 10-15 miles. When we started, we were in shorts and short-sleeve shirts, but by the time we had hit the beach, we had gone through some of the redwood forest and had seen the temperature drop over 10 degrees in just a span of 12 miles! One of the most incredible sights was the redwoods. It was like we had been transported back in time. The ground was a deep green, the kind of lushness that contrasted so beautifully with the tiny rays of direct light that would pierce to the forest floor like an arrow. Above us, the giant redwoods protected us from the sun, but also the incredibly strong winds that seem to have nothing better to do but blow directly against us whenever we are on the coastline. But for this stretch through Samuel P. Taylor park, there was something about running here that made me just feel, for lack of a better word, wild. The quiet and stillness of the forest was met only by the quiet steady breathing and the footsteps of Zac and I. It was one of those experiences which you treasure in your heart, in order to remember that it is in these precious moments when we are met face-to-face with the wonder of God’s majesty. Running is a love song that God has written on my heart, which is why it is such a blessing to be doing this run. We are doing the thing which God has called us to do, it seems as though God has just given us a microphone now to share it with a great many more people now! Keep praying, and I’ll post the stretch from Point Reyes to our current location tomorrow!