We are still in Iowa and are having a lovely time.  Last night we went over to SIL’s house for dinner.  Food was great!  Good ol’ stick to your ribs food.  Yum!

Today, though, was my long run of the week.  That meant running off that terrific meal from last night.  Ugh.  My body tried to convince me to take the day off but I knew how much I ate last night (and this included a delicious piece of banana creme pie), so I laced up and hit the road.

The schedule today called for 15 miles.  I ran 15.35 miles.  It was overcast this morning.  We had received an inch of rain overnight so it was still pretty humid.  I was determined to get today’s run done before lunch time.  MIL is a great cook and I didn’t want to miss anything tasty!

MFH (My Favorite Husband) ran the first five miles with me.  I have found a 5 mile loop that is convenient to my In-Laws house.  So, MFH ran the first five with me and stopped when we passed the house.  I ran the last two loops by myself.

After I dropped off MFH, I ran down the hill to the bike path.  The bike path is two miles.  It runs parallel to some train tracks.  It is quiet and secluded.  The trees canopy the trail.  I usually pass quite a few people on bikes.  Not so many runners.

This morning though, I was about the only person out there.  I had the trail to myself.  At least I thought I was.  Then I started noticing cute little animals coming out to the trail.  Lots and lots of bunnies.  These guys were not in the least little bit shy, either!  They came right up to the trail to see what I was doing.  Same way with the squirrels.  I noticed that the squirrels in Iowa are fatter than the squirrels in Mississippi.

The other thing I noticed was all the Robins!  I’m not used to seeing Robins this time of year.  They come to Mississippi to winter, so it was strange seeing them in August.

One last animal I saw was “Squinnies.”  At least I call them Squinnies.  Some people call them chipmunks.  They are a cute little rodent, and they are lightening fast!  They have stripes down their sides…and they are beggars.  Those guys would stop on the trail and sit up.  They looked at me like, “Hey, Lady, you have anything to eat???”

When they did that, I just looked at them, thought they were cute as I ran by.  Animals crack me up.

The trail was already covered with brown leaves.  It is beginning to be Autumn around here.  Not a whole lot but along the trail you can see the trees starting to turn brown and the leaves are making their descent.  Hope that does not mean another rough Winter!

Tomorrow, the Iowa State Fair!  Cannot wait!!!  Woo-Hoo!!!