Date: Fri, 27 Jan 2006 23:03:38 -0800 (PST) From: Nath Walbert
Subject: Pike Island He parked the car and started walking
toward the overlook. The view from the bluff was always
relaxing, and the spot was so peaceful this time of year. In a
couple of months the old fort, and the nature preserve around
it, would be bustling with visitors but today it was tranquil.
The biggest activity was the rapid melting of snow on this mild
late morning. He leaned against the wall on the edge of the
bluff and looked out over the river valley. He could see a
gravel trail on the far side of the river. No one was on it. He
turned and headed for the paved bike path that would take him
down to the floodplain. The path contained a series of short
flight of steps as it curved around the fort and at each he
stopped and did some stretching. Once on the steep downhill
portion, he picked up the pace and began jogging. He was not
surprised that he encountered no one else. Bikers would be
avoiding this route with the melting snow and sl