Unexpectedly, what had started as a strategic advance turned into a funny scramble for shelter from a sudden storm – while we were out walking.
Instead of staying dry when sunny spells had been forecast, we found ourselves soaked through: so we raced each other laughing for the nearest tree, bus stop, or park bench: anything to provide unexpected refuge.
A Serene Walk Can Descend into Chaos
Visualize this: a quiet day intended for a walk on Hiltscher Park Trail suddenly becomes fodder for a comedy sketch. I wanted peace; instead, I got mayhem! Ever taken a shortcut that wasn’t? Well, that was me today – only worse because there were two paths equidistant from where I stood at this fork! You often hear people say “I chose the road less traveled..” and if like me they’re rambling along country lanes they’re probably telling the truth. But imagine my dilemma: both routes looked equally (un)appealing so which one should I take? Left or right? North or South? These are the kinds of things walkers think about all the time when faced with lush green vegetation bounding them on either side.
Instinct said go left – as everybody knows toast falls butter-side down meaning if you drop it off a cliff face nine times outta ten will land spread eagle down below.! Rational, right? Here I was an intrepid hiker lost in every sense of the word staring ahead at a seemingly never-ending pathway stretching before me wondering nonsensically whether not only had the same route brought me walk but also if trees had grown since last here or indeed I’d shrunk!” And then just to add utter bewilderment met a jogger wearing an ‘I’m with stupid’ t-shirt pointing accusingly groundwards towards man ever likely direction travelling companion rural amazement doesn’t come across wildlife rustling bushes revealing itself be street artist close-up magician nimblest fingers ever seen close-hand environment changed amusingly by arrival did he want to see magic trick asked then suggested probably best both move on before real creatures arrived. We chuckled, yet no markers showed up.
Upon return, it was clear: my sense of orientation was comical, the trail mocked me and my fitness tracker logged a marathon — my serene walk evolved into a complex hike.
