It tried to elude me. It tried to hide. It tried to escape. It tried to throw me off its scent. But it could not. Not from me, Rachel, the great and mighty hunter. I caught a glimpse of it at dawn this morning. It glared at me through the bushes outside my window, but it disappeared into the morning fog when I rolled over and took a few extra minutes in bed. We had to get on the road by 8:30 a.m. for an errand to Long Beach. We had a busy Saturday planned, with three jobs to take care of, but I was on the hunt for my prey in the midst of it. I made sure to have all my gear and tools with me so I’d be ready when my moment to strike revealed itself. While driving out of town I kept an eye out for places it might hide, just in case I might spot it on the way home.
At Huntington Beach Park I thought I might find it after eating a salad for lunch at the Park Bench Café. It taunted me from the meandering paths and bushes. I had hoped that I would have time to stalk and snare it while Shauna and Heath took our dog, Romero, for a walk through the park. They decided to go somewhere else and my target evaded me again.
I was beginning to feel this hunt was going to be tough one. Another park an hour later, but it was only a short visit to let Romero relieve himself. No sign of my prey. I was almost certain I would capture my prize while Romero was visiting with Heath at the pool, but time was cut short and my quarry slipped away again.
A long drive through traffic back to Santa Barbara and my determination was growing. There was no way I would settle for defeat. I would find it. It would not get away from me now. I was certain it would be in my grasp once we dropped off the bed frame at Carol’s house. That was the perfect spot for it. It had to be there.
Traffic got worse and hunger set in. This hunt would have to take a short break to fuel up. We stopped at home, had a quick dinner. I was feeling the day begin to draw toward a close. After a long day on the road, I wanted to rest. I almost justified giving up for the day and resuming the hunt tomorrow. Had my prey outwitted me?
I refused that notion and changed clothes. I had to be ready for anything. We headed for Carol’s and I had the sense that I was closing in now. Once the bed frame was unloaded and assembled I was sure I’d be ready to capture my prey. My stomach disagreed. It insisted a bit more time was needed to digest my dinner before resuming the hunt.
So we drove off to Jack’s to pick up a table. There it was! Right there in plain view!! My Run. At last. It was 6:30 at night. I had just over an hour of daylight left. This was my moment. I jumped on it. I captured it and it was more beautiful, wonderful and amazing than I had hoped for. A great 7 mile run home at dusk. What a wonderful way to end my day. I’m so glad I never gave up and came home with my prize – my long Saturday run.
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