My Usual Route

Thankfully, most of my runs don't take place on sidewalks on the side of the road. 

I am lucky enough to live next to a beautiful running path that runs alongside a wash (or a river during monsoons). This path goes for miles. I've done a 16 mile training run on it alone. The city is trying to connect it with other paths so it will be like a bike super-highway. :)

Some parts of it even have a nice, flat dirt trail along it. 

     

          

During the spring, the palo verdes start to blossom. It is such a beautiful sight!

A blossoming Palo Verde tree. 

 Sometimes, I get lucky and see some cool wildlife along the path.

On a few of my night runs, I've seen a barn owl just hanging out on the railing. It was huge! 

I've also seen coyotes, hawks, snakes, and prairie dogs. 

One night, I may have seen a bobcat prowling the wash, but I'm not too sure...

On this run, I only saw a few prairie dogs. But aren't they cute?

Watch out!
There are a bunch of these holes along the path.
They can either be prairie dog holes or snake holes.
Or they can just trip you. 

Sometimes the snakes are hiding in bushes like these.
I've seen a few slither away.
Also, when the wind blows certain plants, they sound like rattlesnakes.
That will definitely make you jump on the trail! 

Sometimes, I like to shake it up and take a different direction. There are so many different paths to take, I never get bored. I love my route! :)