Fullerton Hiltscher and Juanita Cooke Trails

Fullerton Hiltscher and Juanita Cooke Trails


This isn't exactly a travel run, but I had a little window to get out and enjoy an after work run.  The weather has been very hot, but has cooled pretty nicely over the past couple of days.  I think it was about 90ish when I started my run. Today I went out for a little jaunt around the Hilscher and Juanita Cooke trails in Fullerton.  Both of these are very nice, well maintained, and heavily used trails that eventually link up with Laguna Lake Park.
I started my run at the intersection of Euclid and Hiltscher Trail crossing.

From the get go, there were runners and mountain bikers galore.

 

The trail itself is all hard packed dirt.  Perfect for regular shoed runners as well as a few of the barefoot guys that I have seen out there.  I have run this trail numerous time in my 5 Fingers, but there are quite a few rocks and pebbles which make it a little uncomfortable sometimes.
For the most part, the trail is nicely shaded and often pretty cool.

Granted, this run took place at about 5pm, so the sun was a little to the west. 

From the Euclid crossing on up to where the trail intersects the Juanita Cooke trail is a little less than a mile.  The Juanita Cooke trail runs for a good distance and is well marked.  It basically runs from behind the court house in Fullerton, on up to Imperial Highway.  From my run on the Hiltscher trail, I join the Juanita Cooke trail and turn left, or head North. This is a little wider, flatter trail than the Hiltscher trail, and gets quite a bit more running and biking traffic.  Right at the intersection of Hiltscher and Juanita Cooke, there is a little house that has put a water fountain in his back yard for all of the runners, hikers, bikers.  Pretty nice little feature.
Once on the Juania Cooke trail you will pass under the Valencia Mesa Drive bridge.

Quite a few people join the trail at this point.  Keep on going down the trail and you will eventually have to cross Bastanchury Street.  This is a big road with fast moving traffic.  There is a light for trail goers and horseback riders.  Head down the steep hill and cross the road.

Once you cross the road you will continue running on the street that is in front of you.  Crest the hill and make a quick right then left, and you are back on the Juanita Cooke trail.  Continue on up for crossing the train track bridge and heading on for maybe another mile and you will come up to the crossing to enter Laguna Lake Park.  I like to make this turn and do a loop or two around the lake.
Here is the crossing entrance from the east end of the lake.

You can see by this pic that there are lots of bike track at the entrance.  This is a very popular biking spot so be aware while running.  One loop around the lake comes out to .7 miles.  It is generally pretty flat with a couple little hills to go over.  This is also a great place to walk you dog, or go fishing.  There is great bass fishing in this lake too, but keep that a secret. This trip I did two laps around the lake then started back towards the beginning of my run.

 

You pretty much just back track along the same route that you just ran.  I do enjoy running this route as its very peaceful and the people that you encounter are generally quite freindly.  I also get a little choked up when I get near the Bastanchury crossing as my grandmother used to live at Sunnycrest which backs right up to the trail. You can always pick out here building by the yellow awnings.

 

 

As I mentioned, this is a fun little run. Pretty easy and fairly flat, with a few little hills.  This day I did a total of 6.6 miles.

Happy Running!

Indianapolis Urban Run 2

After a long day 1 of the show, had a chance to sneak out for a quick 4 miler.  Took a little different route around the canal district and through downtown.  It really is a beautiful area.
Here is a quick shot of my run along the canal, with the storm clouds a'growin.  Every bridge along the canal has artwork from a local artist.  Pretty neat.

After leaving the canal I took a route through downtown.  The only real issue with urban running is traffic and construction.  This is a shot of the biggest crane I have ever seen parked outside my hotel.  All traffic blocked off and diverted.  Once you got within a block or so there was no traffic, but the cops kept telling me to move along.

As I mentioned, I only got in a quick 4 miles.  Made it back to the hotel for a quick shower, then took a nice long 1+ mile walk back along the canal to Creations Grill.
One of my favorite things after a nice run is a cold beer.  Note the sun through the vortex bottle. 

I ate here once before, but something else caught my eye this time.  This is called the Garden Party.  It is a Grilled Portobello and Breaded Eggplant sandwich with sweet potato fries.  Yummy!

Obviously football is quite big out here.  The Colts even have their own ketchup.  Maybe this is why we don't have a team in LA.  No ketchup commitment.

Anyhow, another beautiful day in Indy. 
Happy Running!

Indianapolis Canal District Run and Dinner

Got into Indianapolis for a fishing tackle buying group show.  When I arrived, I had a chance to do a little running tour of downtown Indianapolis and the Canal District.  What a great little running town.  After starting from my hotel, I passed the Capital building.

Once you pass the capital building, its about another block or so to the actual Canals of the Canal district.  This is an awesome running area, with a good deal of runners and walkers out getting some sun and excercise. You can rent kayaks, or even go for a romantic gondola ride. More fun to get all sweaty and run around though!

You can run on both sides of the Canal and make a good, close to three mile loop if you'd like.  I didn't do the loop, but exited the Canal at 10th Street and headed over to the White River Wapahani Trail.  This wasn't as exciting as I was hoping it would be.  Paved, and not real good on the N /W side of the river. Though the trail wasn't too exciting, I did manage to see some pretty cool things.  One was this cool, old bridge that I had to cross.

From there you sort of continue on a few different driving streets and wind your way through the Purdue University campus.  Made me feel pretty old.
I did pass a cool little NY Sept 11 memorial.  Looks like it is beams from what were the WTC buildings.

This just about completed my loop.  Here is map of my rout.  A little under 5 miles on this one.

Since I'm new to the whole blogging thing, I had some requests to also add in some of my dining adventures.  I see quite a few odd things while traveling the country, and find some pretty unique places to eat.  Being a traveling Vegan, dining options are sometimes a little difficult. I'll do my best to add photos of places I find, and what I eat into my blogs.
This night I found a little place called Creation Cafe.  I didn't really find it, but one of the front desk girls pointed me in this direction. 

This was a good little find.  Not a lot of Vegan options in Indianapolis, and this was more vegetarian than vegan, but sometimes you just need to choose your battles.
The first thing that caught my eye was something called Portobello Fries.  Sliced Portobello's, breaded and fried.  Probably not the healthiest of items, so I only ate a few.  The sauce was a wasabi dipping sauce, and most likely...not so vegan.

For an entree I opted for the Black Bean Burger w/ guacamole and grilled red peppers and mixed green salad with fresh ginger dressing.  Pretty darn good.

Anyhow, that is just a quick recap of an afternoons run in Indianapolis and a pretty solid meal to follow it up.
Good running!
Dave

Welcome to TheRunningFisherman

Hello everyone!
My name is Dave Brown.  This is a blog that will provide a little look into the life of a traveling fisherman and runner.  I'll post reports and photos from around the western half of the country.  These will either feature fishing trips, or running adventures. 
I hope you all enjoy!
Dave