She had been in the wilderness for 22 days, so I rose quietly at six and let her sleep. I realize 22 days is not the standard 40 days and 40 nights of biblical proportions, but 22 days of backpacking and hauling 50 pounds of Forest Service gear in 11 and 13-mile jaunts is enough to exhaust the hardiest of aging millennials. So, after 22 days in the wilderness and three days back in the office, she had a scheduled day off. She is a great roommate and I wanted to return the favor and give her the day all to herself. Besides, I had technology projects to pursue, an online store to open.
Before starting any project, technical, literary, or household; it is advisable to take your anti-depressants. My drug of choice is hiking. These days of sweltering August heat – even at an elevation of 6500 feet –I must be on the trail by 8:00 am. Once again, I was delayed by framing a response to a virtual musical project of which I have been part. Challenging and exhilarating, but a delay nonetheless.
She was awake and enjoying a hearty repast at 8:36 when I sighed and said, “It’s hot already, but it’s now or never and I need a hike today.”
“If you can wait 15 minutes while I finish breakfast,” she said, “we can go up to Crater Lake. I cleared the trail there yesterday but I didn’t get to go on up and see the lake.”
I made no objection and asked no questions. Quickly, I swapped my in-town bottle sling for my daypack and added a lunch and jacket.
She gleefully pulled on climbing shorts and a tank top rather than regulation full- length uniform pants and long-sleeved shirt. The daypack she swung to her shoulder seemed feather-weight compared to the 60 pounds of gear plus Pulaski with which she exited the wilderness at the end of last week.
Yesterday, I didn’t make any progress on the website I am building. But I did swim in an alpine lake at 11,000 feet. I did complete a 12-mile-hike. I did engage in long conversations about the terrain and the great outdoors and contemporary issues. We did converse about plot line and character building and where I am going next with my writing. It was altogether a very satisfying day.
