~10.3 mi @ ~12.2 min/mi

"Yeti magic scarf of Resist Cold!" At 8°F hands get chilly but head stays warm, thanks to a Yeti Trail Runner tubular bandana that features unicorns, dice, lightning-bolts, aces, golden teeth, skulls, doves, anchors, stars, and words like Hope and Strength - as well as yeti silhouettes, of course. Can't have too many lucky symbols!

"Road Closed" says the barrier at the one-lane wooden bridge over the railroad tracks. Icy random-walk leads to a loop around the boundary stone marking the northernmost point of the DC diamond, then into the rising sun along East-West Highway. Detour to visit the ancient spring in mica-flecked soil that gives Silver Spring its name.

"Whoops!" A leaky fire hydrant creates a surprise glacier across the sidewalk - thankfully, no fall today. Ramble east to Sligo Creek, climb a steep hill, and follow Flower Avenue to a flower-butterfly mural at a Salvadorean restaurant. Find a new cut-through at Indian Spring Park, then sail into the west wind. Temps rise to a sultry 13°F. |

(trackfile) - ^z - 2018-02-03