Walk This Way

 The melodious birdsong, shy wildflowers, and warming weather lured me away from my flowerbed raking and hydrangea pruning. The robin’s chirruping tempted me to abandon the rake. The Dutchman’s breeches raised questions as to what other wildflowers might be peeking out from under forest litter. The gentle sun nudged me. Tossing my shears, I proceeded to the nearest walking path.

Never a runner, always a walker, I wedged strolls where ever and whenever place and time permitted and even when they didn’t. 

Not everyone felt that way.

“Stop by for a visit and a walk,” I suggested to a new acquaintance whom I thought new friend material. She did and as we chatted, I laced my sneakers and proposed two routes: a 3 ½ mile around the lake trail or a shorter 2-mile option. She suddenly remembered a meeting that required her attendance and left before I finished my stretches.

Now we just meet for breakfast. No walking required.

“No, I don’t think it’s a good idea to hike the Lake Geneva path before we meet Ned and Raida for lunch,” said Mike, my SO (Significant Other).

In my defense, I didn’t mean all 26 miles of the path, just part of it. I suggested we leave an hour early and walk before lunch. He was having nothing to do with it. I tossed my Clark Wave Walkers in the back seat in case he changed his mind. He didn’t and, in retrospect, it wouldn’t have been enough time. 

The Lake Geneva trail was a cakewalk compared to two walks Mike and I did undertake.

Walking My Feet Off

From time to time, I bit off more than I can chew (I meant walk) and the 16 km hike through Crete’s Samaria Gorge National Park was one of them. Mike and I figured the mostly downhill path wouldn’t be too strenuous because it WAS downhill. How tough could it be? It was REAL tough.

From mountain top morning coffee to seaside evening Mythos, it felt as if days had elapsed instead of hours. Vistas of towering gorge walls mostly offset the need to dodge boulders (yes, boulders) that tumbled from the cliffs. Conservation officers urged us to hurry so we wouldn’t be squished.

After that experience you’d think I’d learn.

Before attempting The Path Of The Gods hike along the Amalfi Coast, Mike and I diligently researched the trail. Neither of us wanted a Samaria Gorge repeat. Convinced that the 6 km path from Bomerano to Nocelle within our skill set we committed to the outing. I envisioned a short incline, a mostly level 5.5 trail, and an ending decline. My vision clouded at the trailhead where a group of hikers met GUIDES, carried HIKING sticks, and munched PROTEIN bars to sustain them for the ordeal. Mike and I each had a bottle of water and a packet of peanut M&M’s in our pockets. What did they know that we didn’t? A lot! The trail dipped and rose (more rising than dipping) when it didn’t require rock scrambling.

“It’s shorter than the gorge trail,” said Mike in an attempt to revive our flagging enthusiasm.

“No dodging falling boulders,” I added. “They’ve already fallen. We just need to crawl over them.”

Post hike discussion of our misjudgment of the path’s challenges in spite of extensive reading, concluded that the reports we pondered must have been written by one of the goats we encountered. Of course, a goat wouldn’t think the hike difficult.

After the Crete and Amalfi ordeals, I swore off some other walks.

Walks To Avoid

Although I enjoyed lakes and oceans, short piers and long walks had disastrous outcomes. However, I admit as a child I recommended the amble to my older brother when he became annoying. In certain circumstances, I’ve walked a thin line and a tightrope. Both were stressful though not as stressful as walking on eggs or into a lion’s den. Finally, I will never walk all over other people.

Other walks I sought.

Walks To Cherish

Strolling down Memory Lane with dear friends had all walking on air. Though attempting a new endeavor with the same friends resulted in a walk on the wild side. Occasionally, a walk in the park balanced out life difficulties.

There are also necessary walks.

Tips For Successful Walks

All should walk the talk. Do what you said you’d do to be reliable. I found the best footgear to wear before I embarked on any path was someone else’s shoes . . . at least for a mile. Follow these tips and walk tall.

Everyday Epiphany

Although I’ve hiked in Greece and Italy and like an Egyptian in Karnac, my favorite walks were shorter and simpler. Walking my son down the aisle to marry the woman he loved and years later walking alongside my granddaughter as she pulled her wagon collecting rocks were shining moments.

I turned homeward to invite Mike along. We walked hand in hand and together we dodged whatever boulders life flung at us. Sometimes living was just putting one foot in front of the other. It’s easier when you did it in step with someone. 

What were your memorable walks?

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