Written by Ashley Smith

 

Fall is my favorite time of year.

 

I know. Fall is everyone’s favorite time of year when it is actually Fall. Everyone is drunk on Pumpkin Spice Lattes, busy falling into piles of brilliantly colored leaves, while bundled up in hoodies next to bonfires. I can just see it now.

 

I love all that too, but I have a few other reasons for counting Fall as my favorite season. For one thing, I’m a November baby and birthdays are awesome! Also, I love Thanksgiving like no other holiday. A holiday where eating is the main affair? Count me in. But honestly, most of my reasons for digging the chill in the air have to do with being outdoors.

 

 

I’m a hiker and sometimes trail runner. In the late Spring and all through the hot hot Summer I keep my feet firmly on the pavement. Nice open clean roads where I can spot a snake a mile away. Yep. I might live and breath the outdoors in Arkansas but I am scared of snakes. A hiking pace is leisurely enough to let you watch the trail for those sneaky suckers, but when you are flying along a trail as fast as your legs and reflexes will allow you don’t quite get that chance. I’ve jumped over enough snakes to finally limit my trail running to the appropriate seasons.

 

My favorite local trails to the North of my home are located at the Visitor’s Center at the base of Rich Mountain in Mena. This spot has a valley of intermingled looping trails along rocky ridges that dip down to cross a small creek. On the upper part is Earthquake Trail that is a 2.75 climb up the side of the mountain. It takes a big engine and some determination to get up that one, but the views through the trees are worth it. If you head further up the mountain you reach Queen Wilhelmina State Park. It has its own trails that are perfect for hiking or running if you are up for it. Mena is getting the running bug. This year alone has has hosted a half-marathon straight up the mountain to the lodge, a wheel-a-thon of either 30miles or 75miles, and three 5K’s. Over Halloween weekend there was a first annual Zombie Run.

 

To the South lies the Cossatot River State Park. It boasts an extremely technical 13 mile trail and is home to the Cossatot Trail Half-Marathon. This race pulls in over a 100 hardcore trail runners, leisure runners, and hikers. The scenery is unbeatable and the competition is pretty tough too. Even in the tiny towns close to the Cossatot there have been a few 5K races held.

 

 

The first run of Fall is a magical experience. It really doesn’t matter whether its on the trail or on the road, the thrill is the same. There is something in the air. A bit of chill burning your lungs. A quiet calm that isn’t there in the thick bug laden air of Summer, or the popping alive greeness of Spring. Just you and the crunchy leaves thick on the path. No sound but your heart and the rythmic pattern of your feet. The first run of Fall is in the books.

 

 

Ashley Smith is a mama, wife, homeschooler, and runner who loves the mountains, trails, red wine, homebrew, travel, farmers markets, all things turquoise, her dogs, kids, and husband (not in that order). She obsessively collects cookbooks, shoes, and chalkboards. Ashley has blogged under one name or another for over 6 years. She currently shares her love offitness, nutrition, the outdoors, and family on her blog Ashley In Arkansas  You can find her on Instagram @ashleyinarkansas and Facebook.