Journal: #311 Walk in the Shade
I finished my longest hike of 2021 moments ago. It wasn’t the wisest decision given the aggressive heat now blistering Northern California. My mind and legs told me to turn around five minutes into the trek. So, I hatched a plan and decided to walk in the shade whenever possible. The one drawback to my scheme was whether or not I would increase the time of the trip, thereby nullifying any benefit of the shade. I’m happy to report I was wrong.
Each step I took in the shade gave me the strength to go three more. The second half of the trip included a slight but delightful breeze. During the last mile, the sun cast long shadows. Combined with the breeze, the hike was pleasant, even though the temperature was 105º. I rewarded myself with a huge bottle of water and a banana.
A small (super small) part of me thinks taking an “easier” path is cowardly. How dumb. How absolutely toxic. First of all, it was a hike. Secondly, I made life easier on myself while doing a hard thing. The easiest choice would’ve been to keep my ass at home on the couch.
