Summit Dog
As my dog and I lurch up the hill onto the big slabs of rock, I can hear the Canadian National train hauling the ore from the port up the tracks. The wailing horn. The screeching of the wheels on the tracks. The Munger Trail that we just departed was an old railroad bed. There’s an old DWP railroad bed that goes right through this whaleback of stone right under my feet. Trains. On a type of trail. Trails of steel. (My dog just drank out of US Steel Creek on this run.) Water trails. Foot trails. I’m certainly not the first guy to feel the cool breeze from Lake Superior from the top of Elys Peak. It’s been happening for many centuries. I like to imagine who else has been here over the eons. Here’s my little out and back path: North Shore Shmo: Leg 3
The dog’s working on the railroad.
But in this 21st century me and the dog are just out for another run. Third day in a row of my crazy idea to run the whole Superior Hiking Trail. It’s like how you eat an elephant: one bite at a time.
Elys Peak from the Munger Trail
The dog leads up the stairway to heaven.
The views today were awesome. Jumped a deer. Saw a few other people enjoying the views from the side of the rock pile.
St. Louis River south from the peak.
The dog enjoyed a bath in a vernal pool. I think that’s the nice name for a stinky, pool of skanky muck. He probably won’t drag much of it into the house.
I think he’s probably dirtier now.
We call Leo “The Supermodel.” Handsome, but not so smart.
Lately I ask, “You want to run?” He charges down to the garage. So, I’m becoming more popular I think.
Again, this 300-mile run is in support of the Wounded Warrior Project, so any amount you can spare will be appreciated: North Shore Shmo
SHMOTOWN 