(Mission Times Courier, Ca) -  I was aware that I was smiling when I ran past one of the cairns that was on the Del Cerro side of the lake. Cairns can be cute little terrier dogs or rock formations that mark a trail. The little dogs weren't in formation on the trail. But rock displays often are. The rocks are placed precariously on top of one another to show hikers the way to their destination without using breadcrumbs. They are an art form and I am cheered when I see them by the side of the lake road.

(Mission Times Courier, San Diego, Ca) -  Mornings at Lake Murray can take your breath away.  I'm not talking about the chill or running hard.  I am talking about the unbelievable sunrises.  The pinks turn to reds that turn to Mercurochrome orange and the colors cover the whole eastern sky.  I know that scientists will sometimes make disparaging remarks about particulates in the air causing the infusion of color.  But it doesn't diminish my pleasure or those around me at the lake.

(Mission Times Courier, San Diego, Ca) - September 19, 2009 was a fairly mild day considering the preceding and subsequent heat we endured.  Our collective karma must have been good.  September 19th was the I Love a Clean San Diego cleanup day at Lake Murray.

(Mission Times Courier, San Diego, Ca) -  Scott and John are Lake Murray tubers.  People that fish in a kind of inner tube are called tubers.  The tubes let them navigate easily in the water to find the perfect fishing spot.  They drive to the lake and after unpacking all of their fishing apparatus they load up their bodies.  They wrap the float tube around their shoulders like an accessory while carrying fishing poles.  They balance other unknown stuff used for fishing and begin their laborious shuffle towards the lake.  After hauling all of their paraphernalia down to the water's edge, they wade in and begin fishing.

(Mission Times Courier, San Diego, Ca)  During many years of running at Lake Murray, I have only heard one person say that they were disappointed in our lake.  They didn't understand the hype about how wonderful it is.  The woman said that the lake environs were dry and brown and she didn't see the attraction that many of us see.

(Mission Times Courier, San Diego, Ca) -  Aaron Spears is a winner.  He is intelligent, friendly, motivated and was 15 years old in March.  My information comes from his grandfather Jeff Serrano.  I have met Aaron several times at Lake Murray when he accompanies Jeff and grandmother Cindy while they walk. 

(Mission Times Courier, San Diego, CA) -  Brigadier General Robert Cardenas is probably used to being called a hero. He has been honored with many awards, accolades, and has numerous ribbons and medals on the chest of his uniform. Some of his accomplishments have been the subject in periodicals, books and videos on television. There has even been talk of a movie.  You can meet General Cardenas at our Friends of Lake Murray meeting at St. Dunstan's Episcopal Church on April 16 at 5:00pm.

(Mission Times Courier, San Diego, CA) - The most intelligent, talented, good-looking, friendly and creative people go to Lake Murray.  It's true. The people we meet at the lake pique our curiosity. We wonder about their lives, past and present.  There are engineers like Ed Blank, attorney's like Mike Witte, judges like Jay Bloom, singer-songwriters like Peter Bolland, psychologists like John Clapp, artists like Mary Goodbody, police, fire fighters, nurses, doctors and a boatload (I know) of teachers like Jackie Talbert.