Geese, Greens, and Glory: A Day of Fitness and Furry Friends

The crisp spring air chilled my arms as I ran along the Central Oregon Historic Canal Trail. Sunlight danced on the water, and the gentle gurgle provided a calming soundtrack perfectly contradicting Miley Cyrus blasting in my earbuds. 

The vibe was chill, just me and nature. As I rounded a corner, I encountered a gaggle of geese basking on the trail, complete with five adorable little fur balls. The moment was truly magical, until one particularly assertive goose decided I had gotten a little too close to his babies. He puffed out his chest, hissed ferociously, and made his intentions abundantly clear.

Taking no chances with a goose on the warpath, I politely (and quickly) veered off the trail and into the bushes, giving the proud papa plenty of space. Phew... that was a close one! With my peaceful vibe temporarily jarred, I continue on. I soon encountered a family of ducks floating along the current next to me, with two itty-bitty fuzzy chicks. The cuteness factor alone is enough to bring my chill vibe back home. 

Like my workout buddy Ty, I believe in prioritizing health and wellness. It's not about looking good, it's about feeling good – physically and mentally. Having him as committed as I am, keeps me motivated and makes exercise more enjoyable. We work out most every day, sometimes together and other times on our own. We do our best to eat healthy and try to keep our stress levels low. Doing this gives us the opportunity to fully dive into the activities we enjoy, whether snowboarding, hiking, golfing, mountain biking, or any other crazy idea we come up with. 

After soaking up the positive energy of the morning run, I felt energized and focused, ready to tackle the challenges of the golf course. Amidst breathtaking mountain scenery, the course at Widgi Creek is stunning, with vibrant colors and beautifully maintained fairways. The greens, though immaculate, are far from easy. Seems no matter how close to the pin I land, I find myself three-putting repeatedly. Unfortunately, it doesn’t look like anything is going to improve my score today, but as I see the beverage cart driving towards me, I have no doubt that a can of RPM from Boneyard Beer will most certainly better my mood! 

On the back nine, the temperature dipped, jackets emerged from the bags, and a different kind of furry friend surfaces. Marmots, with their plump bodies and beady eyes, popped in and out of their holes, seemingly unfazed by our presence. Their playful antics are a welcome distraction from my putting woes.

As we approach the green on the final par 5, I am suddenly excited. With a solid drive, and unusually decent hits with my 3-wood and hybrid, I find myself just off the green with a real potential to par. My short game has been solid all day, this is absolutely going to happen! I set up my chip shot like I’ve done all day, take an easy practice swing, and… WHAT THE…??  Instead of going towards the pin, I watch in horror as my ball takes a hard right and beelines straight for the water. Both my ball and my hope for a par...gone, just like that.

It's days like today that remind me why I love an active lifestyle. Whether it's the endorphin rush after a good run, or the unexpected encounters with nature's little creatures, there's always something amazing to look forward to. Despite the tragic ending to my golf game, the day was a perfect blend of exercise, nature, a touch of friendly competition, and a bonus bit of hops.

Michelle Eidam is a freelance writer with a thirst for adventure – exploring mountains, trails, breweries, and everything in between.

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