October 17, 2021
Cooper Lake State Park – South Sulphur Unit
Coyote Run Trail
Addicted! That’s the word to use for us after the previous day’s hike. You would think after 6+ miles the day before, we would have had enough, but mentally we were more than ready to do it again. However, being the “older” people that we are, we also knew that we might not make the whole trail, as physically we were both a bit sore from the previous day’s exercise. That wasn’t going to completely stop us though, as we craved another day of time together in nature on such a gorgeous day as this day was.
After packing up our campsite and our truck, we drove to the Coyote Run Trail Head, at the opposite end of the park from the Buggy Whip Trail System. According to the park map, this trail was described as moderate, and would “explore the hills and ‘bottoms’ of the South Sulphur River Watershed.” Sounded good to us!
As we began the trail, though, we were initially disappointed to find it wider than expected and covered in white rocks. We couldn’t figure out why the trail was this way, as we had never seen that before. The rocks made it a bit hard to walk on, and with our tired legs from the previous day, we really weren’t sure if we would make it very far. However, after a bit, the trail finally narrowed more and become the dirt trail we were more used to, and it was much easier to hike on. Once we got past the rocky terrain and further down the trail, I have to say the area here was so much more than I expected! This part of the forest contained huge, towering oak trees – I couldn’t believe how big some of them were. Mike and I both were in awe of the trees here. The high canopies on this trail almost made you feel protected from the rest of the outside world. It was so quiet and peaceful. Mike and I both respected the silence of the forest and were rewarded twice with the sighting of several deer along the way. We crossed several beautiful wooden bridges and enjoyed the hills and bottoms of the watershed, as described on the trail map. It was lovely, and really, a very easy hike in our opinion. And, we did complete the entire trail!
We really took this trail slow, not because of our aching legs, but because this trail demanded it. The beauty here was breathtaking, and several times Mike and I both stopped at the same time, looked up, and breathed in deeply. Ahh, how long had it been since we’d done that…breathed in deeply at the same time as if on que? Had we ever done that before? I couldn’t remember a time when we had, so it was as if we were learning to breathe again, but in a different way – simultaneously. I’m sure that if someone had been watching us from above, we would have looked quite comical standing out there in a forest, looking up at the canopy, taking deep breaths together. But there is something very moving when you experience a moment of beauty together with your partner, and you stop at the same time to take it in. It is almost as if you are in sync with each other, appreciating something together, something that is beyond yourselves. When Mike and I stopped in those moments and just breathed, I felt united to him. It is a memory I will always treasure, because we shared something special in those moments. We were connected. We were learning to breathe again, together.
I know I said I yesterday’s trail would always have a special place in my heart, as it was our first trail while camping as empty nesters. But, the Coyote Run Trail will also be remembered in another special part of my heart. It is the trail where we discovered how to breathe as one, in a place of beauty, in a place beyond ourselves.
Hiking…together…this weekend. We learned so much and took away even more. Yes…we are addicted.
To find out more about Cooper Lake State Parks, see our Trails tab.
