Sandhill Cranes + Butterfly Clouds

Between yesterday and today I covered 17 miles and over 4200 feet of elevation gain. My body is tired but my soul is alive. There was a time when I thought I’d never get back to feeling capable of running anything—or at least training to run anything. I’m so glad I get to prove myself wrong now.

Within the first minute on the trail this morning, I heard the call of a Sandhill Crane from just around the corner. As I moved past the tree line that was blocking my view, there they were: a pair of Sandhill Cranes right in front of me. They continued their call, walking from their position in the meadow to retreat into the hillside. Sampa and I stopped to give them some space and let them move peacefully. I love Sandhill Cranes. Such enormous, beautiful birds with a soul-stirring, haunting call. It was an honor to start my day in the mountains with them.

On my return, the sun had been out long enough that the butterflies were up too. For a good quarter mile, every step I took triggered several butterflies into flight a few feet ahead, and the result was that I was running through clouds of beautiful orange butterflies swirling all around me. A butterfly blessing.

This evening, I took a walk out by the lake with my family and spotted a Great Blue Heron. Messengers of flight had a lot to say today. I’m grateful to know their names. I continue to learn more. I feel so whole.