Take a Hike

When I first started hiking, I was nervous. I felt as though I’d kept myself active over the course of my life, but I had my doubts when it came to walking up and down mountains. Then I did it. Walked up and down mountains. And that literally is what it’s all about, walking. And you can walk at the pace that suits you. And the mountains don’t really care how long you take.

This week I’ve been in the Guadalupe Mountains, and yesterday we hiked about seven miles as we went to see Smith Spring, then walked across the ridges to check out Bear Canyon, which has an elevation gain of 2600 feet which is stout. But again. It’s walking, and we did about seven miles. And you can go slow. We felt good and started up the trail just to test it, but we were losing daylight so we came back down satisfied that two old guys could handle it because, it’s just walking. Sometimes it’s up. Sometimes it’s down. And sometimes it’s just around. Plus, you can stop any time you like.

So, this is the end of a nice trip. The fourth time this year I’ve gone off to hike. Big Bend. Pagosa Springs. Broken Bow, OK, and now Guadalupe Mountains. Throw in my practice hikes at Pedernales Falls state park, and I’ve been walking, and now Fats Domino should kick in and we could all walk, maybe to New Orleans. But I would be happy with a quick climb to the top of Guadalupe Peak the tallest spot in Texas. I can do it. It’s simply a long walk up and then back down.

John W. Wilson is the author of The Long Goodbye: A Caregiver's Tale