Random Thoughts from an 8-Mile Hike

From the hunt for Walden Pond to getting lost in an unfamiliar forest, if you've been with me on one of my Nevillian adventures, then you know how frightfully humorous my outdoors excursions tend to be. There's always a good chance I'll wind up lost, or wounded, or both. And yet, always, for whatever sick & twisted reason, I enjoy these adventures. And not just in the "it's fun to tell the story after-the-fact" sort of way; rather, I've learned to laugh at the unfortunate situations that seem to always cross my path. Not to mention, the injuries (aside from those to my ego) are never too severe.

But it's not just a matter of laughing in the face of adversity. As the years pass, I've also developed a bit of the "always be prepared" attitude. If I'm going someplace I've never been, I'm taking (at the very least):

1. A Map
2. A Compass
3. Two 32-oz bottles of water
4. Energy bars
5. First Aid kit

Other materials will also find their way into my backpack, depending on the adventure. This past weekend, for example, Washington and I decided to embark on an 8-mile hike recommended by one of his friends. Neither of us had been, however, and so I wanted to make sure we were prepared "just in case." In addition to each of the above five items, I also packed a camera, too many snacks, a change of clothes, two pairs of socks, a hat, a headscarf, an all-purpose knife, pepper spray, Kleenex, a flashlight, hand sanitizer, a pedometer, lotion, eye drops, chapstick, a pen and paper (in case we need to write "last letters" to loved ones), and — yes — even my copy of the Worst Case Scenario Survival Guide (because you never know when you'll be attacked by a renegade bear... in a state where bears are extinct).

Five minutes into the walk, and I realized I was pathetically over-prepared. Not only was the trail mostly flat (no climbing!), but it was five feet wide in some parts... and about 3/4 of it was paved. It was clear of debris, and our risk of poison ivy exposure — even if it had been in season — was slim to none. There were rest pits every 2-3 miles, and the path often came within 75 yards of the nearest road.

I was beginning to feel a wee bit silly when, at long last, Washington asked to use my hand sanitizer ("Why, yes, I'll let you use the Purell which I brought..."). And I was further validated when we scarfed down some fruit snacks I packed... right before he walked over to the concession stand at the half-way point, and bought a Snickers bar.


Others Thoughts

• Over-preparedness aside, it was a good walk. I never broke a sweat, but my calves felt the distance
• It was nice to see (and hear!) so many birds... everything from orioles and blue jays to swans, ducks and cranes.
• Driving a stick-shift is much easier if you remember to let the clutch out half-way before you even begin to hit the gas.