Balboa: Vasco Nunez or Rocky?

Three PAX showed up for a trail run on the second Sunday of Easter and Spring Break.

The Thang:  Northbank to Texas Beach trail, Texas Beach trail along the beach past the pump house to the end, circle back using the trail along the railroad tracks.  Cross the railroad tracks at the pump house, using the man-sized whole in the fence instead of crawling around barbed wire.  Turn left to head west, cross additional obstacles, cross back over the railroad tracks to pick up another trail along the shore.  Pass under the old RR bridge, continue to almost the Powhite Parkway Bridge until thorns, tall grass, and the threat of lyme disease made turning around inevitable.  Cross back to the north side of the tracks, take another trail back to the pump house, cross Pump House Road.  Take the trail to the left of the pipeline trail (Dogwood Dell Hiking Trail?)  for about a 1.5 mile loop, pick up pipeline trail to the amphitheater, and back down Love Hill to the parking lot for COT.

NMS: YHC was in an exploring mood, and the PAX obliged.  YHC wanted to learn the new trails before the critters and growth accompanying spring arrived.  Texas Beach and the trails next to the river were in great shape and flat – they would be good for beginners, though crossing the tracks required careful maneuvering.  Crossing the dam near the end of Texas Beach required climbing up to the railroad tracks and carefully crossing the bridge on the tracks.  Toga noted that we probably would not be able to hear a train over the rushing water.  TYA commented, and PAX agreed, that the trail loop around the pipeline trail would be excellent for mountain biking.

Announcements: Prayers for the Bucket family.  Support the new AOs: DaVille, UofR Run, Circus Maximus, W Dog.