Loosing one’s memory is a possibility we approach with trepidation. We want to keep our memories – the good ones, anyway – as long as possible. Proper exercise, we are told, is one of the actions we can take to combat the onslaught of loosing as we age. Besides the practical advantages of exercise; I love a hike in the great outdoors. Nothing restores me better.

I was traveling for work again. Calling on the far flung stores. Face to facing with staff. Hearing their needs and concerns. Delivering new interpretive merchandise.

It is monsoon season, so I was taking the long way around. Part of the road on my favorite commute has washed out, but a good portion of the long route lies up Scenic Highway 12, so there is no lack of beauty.

As I neared the trailhead for Mossy Cave, I slowed, noted the full parking lot, checked my watch and hurried forward to Cannonville and Escalante. I did take time to fill the gasoline tank in Tropic and to take an arpeggiatic run on the piano in front of Clark’s – but I did this standing up – without alighting on the piano stool.

By lunchtime I was finished with Cannonville. A couple hours spent at Escalante and I was on the return road by 3:30 pm my time (4:30 local). “How excellent,” I thought, “I will make it home before dark.”

It pains me that I almost forgot to stop. A wakeup call. I frequently drive two hours on a weekend just to get to cooler temperatures and beautiful hiking places. Yet, I almost maintained speed right by one of the most beautiful sections in the state of Utah – in order to make it home before dark. Stress, you know. The to-do list instead of the HooDoo list. Workaholism at its most insidious. Could it be that I am now immune to the magnetism of National Parks?

Just in time I reminded myself that I am not domiciled in Page AZ simply because there is mound after mound of office work to be done. One can find mounds of office work anywhere. I am here specifically for working closely with National Parks and reveling 24 X 7 in beautiful places.

I stopped. I hiked. I was refreshed. My mission is renewed.