I'll tell you, just the act of driving out of the city limits makes a world of difference. It feels like I'm stretching my legs and letting out a deep breath I'd been holding all at the same time. The park was perfect. There were no signs of people anywhere. I only saw a handful of people on the trail. Exactly what I needed.
As I hiked, I thought about growing up. We went through a few years when going to the state park was a pretty regular thing. Mom would pack a cooler of food and we would head off to any number of parks. We would drive the park, eat, and take off down (or up) a trail. As we got older (and busier) we stopped going as much. However, the last few times I've been, Dad and I would take off together - just the two of us. We would hike and talk more then than probably any other time. It was something I looked forward to.
Today, I thought about Dad a lot. I thought about his little hiking reminders when my toe would catch a root, my fingers would start swelling, or there would be a steeper part of the trail. I thought about what we would talk about - work, church, family, God, something we were reading, or the occasional guy whose name he had started hearing. I thought about how we always stopped at the prettiest place on the trail to just be quiet and enjoy the beauty around us for a few minutes before moving on. I tried to guess where on today's hike that would have been. I found a few spots I thought he might enjoy. I wondered if he had hiked that trail in college. Every time I passed another hiker or a biker and said hello, I could hear his "howdy" in the back of my mind.
It's funny how even though someone is miles and miles away, they can be with you every step of the way. Maybe next time I go, he can come too.
4 comments:
Thanks for the memories. I've been thinking a lot about getting out and walking or hiking lately. Think I'll just do it soon.
That sounds wonderful. I love to explore, hike or just enjoy the outdoors. I have wonderful memories myself of hikes different ones, my grandmother mostly. What fun.
I'm really glad I didn't know you were going alone; I would have spent the whole day wondering if some crazy jumped out and grabbed you!! Erin says I have to stop watching Dexter!!! :)
I love this post. I love you.
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