Dawn Patrol

Broke out of the work place at 0600 and bee lined for home. The air is heavy and rain, as some to the southwest already knew, is imminent. 

 It is still dark and cold at 0645 and I turn out the driveway and head out River Road to my trails. By the time I reach the pond there is a mist and I'm warm. 

I wheel up through the old meadows and into the woods to the "Bushwhack Trail." I cross the old stone wall and find "Kreb's." Kreb's from the top, soon I'm under the dense canopy with rain falling but not yet making it to the ground. A quick turn onto "Up Dog" brings me to the "Newt" trail. 

Halfway across Newt the rain is heavier and the rocks slick. I rail on through the berms and pause at the creek bridges. The rain is not going to let up so I turn onto the "Porch" and head home. At the bottom of Porch I'm out from under the canopy of the forest and into the heavy rain. By the time I'm at the top of the "Power Line Climb" I'm drenched but with burning legs. Without pausing I turn down on to the short approach of the logging road and skid up onto the "Ridge" trail. I ride down into the "Fire Swamp" and into the back yard and home. 

The only witness to the screaming from across the pond, that's the Dawn Patrol.