Running Treasure Hunt!

It's August. And it's hot. I don't know about you but I don't feel motivated to do much of anything this time of year. I just want to lay in a hammock somewhere, on the beach, reading a trashy novel.

But I'm a runner, dammit! So I've been doing what runners do this time of year, slogging along, trying to get some miles in, and posting sweaty selfies. Last week while suffering through one of my runs, I couldn't help but notice all kinds of interesting things along the roadside. After I run by, I think about those things I see and the story behind them. Since my lack of ambition has extended to the blog, those thoughts about roadside treasure inspired a theme custom-made for the lazy running blogger.

Maybe the heat has affected my brain, but I thought, why not host a running treasure hunt! Yes! We all see interesting things on the run, right? While interesting may be in the eye of the beholder, I think it's fun to see what other people find along the route. I've got a link up at the bottom of this post so you can share your post. You don't have to be a blogger. You can post your Instagram, Facebook, or blog URL in the link up.

The rules are simple. After you link up, please visit at least 2-3 others to share the love. I do ask is that you link back to this post. There's a graphic at the bottom of the post you can use if you'd like. Feedback is always welcome!

All righty then. 

What have I found this week? Nothing terribly exciting but I did learn a little more about some of the things I found on the run. 

The Sticker: 

This TNP+CHI Airplane sticker--I've seen it in the back of a ton of cars lately. Seeing these and not knowing what they were was giving me serious FOMO that I wasn't part of some travel club. Silly me. My son hipped me to the meaning of the stickers. These people are Uber or Lyft drivers. The City of Chicago apparently requires them to post this sticker in their cars or they can't pick up passengers from O'Hare airport. And another piece of the puzzle falls into place.

Mrs Kravitz wondered what this sticker meant...

The Bench: 
I cannot tell you how many times I ran by this bench and felt sorry for the old guy who left his hat and book there. I spent miles agonizing over it. After a period of time, I wondered why the hat and book were still there. And I'm sure I don't have to tell you how stupid I felt when I finally stopped at the bench and realized that the hat and book were actually PART OF THE BENCH! Aye! This is a memorial bench placed by the family of an elderly man who used to read at the retention pond where I run. There's a plaque on the bench explaining all this.

Mrs. Kravitz solves the mystery.

The Chamois in the Fence: 
This fence is bordering the frontage road along a busy highway. I run on the sidewalk here. There's no parking or houses along this side of the road. Why is there a chamois stuck in the fence? How did it get here? Should I go back and get it? It would sure come in handy for drying off my car. Sometimes when I see stuff along the side of the road, I actually consider going back for it later. I've never done it though.

Why?

The Lazy Boy: 
Speaking of stuff along the side of the road, this chair was calling my name! It looked like it was in pretty good condition, just kind of ugly. I wonder if the scrappers picked it up. We have these guys who drive around the neighborhood, picking up stuff people put out at the curb. One time when I lived in the city, we tossed out a mattress. About 15 minutes later, a van pulled up with a stack of mattresses on the roof, added ours to the pile, and drove away. I don't think I could sleep on a used mattress. Or take a used chair home. Who knows what's in that cushion?

I almost sat down.

The Little Free Library: 
I've been seeing a lot of these "Little Free Libraries" popping up all over the place! This one was at a grade school that I ran by, but I've even seen them in people's yards. Apparently, it is a thing! I checked out the website and in addition to maps that list all the Little Free Libraries by you, you can get one for your very own. The goal is to promote literacy by sharing books. What a great idea! I ran by one of these a while ago, and there was a copy of The New Basics cookbook,  which I had received as a shower gift back in the dark ages. My copy is well worn, the binding broken, and I considered going back for this copy. I never did, and every time I pull out my cookbook, I kick myself.

Another mystery solved!

And there you have it! My first official Running Treasure Hunt. I'm so looking forward to reading about your finds. I'll keep the link up open for a week, so if you are just reading about this now, feel free to jump in!

The badge for the link up

What interesting things have you found lately? Do the Uber drivers in other cities have to put identifying stickers in their cars? Do you ever stop and rest on furniture by the side of the road? Any Little Free Libraries by you?

Besides my own link up, I'm also linking up with the DC Trifecta for the Friday Five! I've got five items here. Courtney, Mar, and Cynthia host this weekly link up. 

An InLinkz Link-up