My Run Billings Project: Run 013

January 20, 2023

I decided to go out to the western edge of the city limits and start knocking off the streets in the Ironwood subdivision. I mapped it out and it works well as two separate runs, a 5-miler and a 3-miler. I tackled the 5-miler today. Here’s the planning map:

When I got out there I decided to park in one of the space at Ironwood Park which is in the center of the map. Then I headed east and did those uphill out and backs, Some of the scenery:

Outside the main Ironwood neighborhood is a big mansion that was in the news quite a bit some years ago because of its size, followed by the story of the owner, criminal behaviors, bankruptcy, and all kinds of other drama. It’s in its own gated area:

North of it is a smaller one, maybe the butler’s quarters.

The street actually boring. The sidewalks ain a green belts behind them and after some distance all the house look the same. They obvious have some rules to live by here.

About halfway through the run I took a detour of a block or two and went back to the car to shed a layer of clothing, actually just my vest, gloves, and change to a lighter hat. I was well warmed up by this point.

I was back to the roundabout just inside the subdivision.

And I continued on to the entrance on Molt Road.

I headed back with the map telling me to turn on Woodfield Drive and do the loop on Ridge Stone Drive. When I got there, I noticed this sign.

There is a gate and it was open so what do I do? Is it really “Private” or did they just put up a sign to discourage runners from looping through? Since I’d already put it on my map and didn’t want top edit it later, I ran the loop. Nice view from one end.

When I got around that curve I was glad I’d come this way since contractors working on a house had a conveniently placed Porta-potty out front.

I went back out on the main road and stopped to take a photo of what one of the maps labeled “Ironwood Seasonal Sledding Hill.” It’s a pretty small hill.

I went back through the roundabout, just past the sign indicating that I was under video surveillance. I guess so. Nothing says “America” like 4 video cameras on the flagpole.

I cruised through some more streets and came to the end of the road where they are getting ready to expand.

I tucked into a short street and grabbed a panoramic looking towards Phipps Park.

What remains is about 5 or 6 out and backs, all on hills. Some views along the way.

I arrived back at my car and was almost tempted to get the other half of the subdivision but I hadn’t brought the route map so it will have to wait for another day.