Walking to Work

"Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature's peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you, and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves. As age comes on, one source of enjoyment after another is closed, but Nature's sources never fail." - John Muir

I live in the mountains. I probably live farther away than my family and friends would like, but I find it manageable and they are all generous enough to trek out and visit me from time to time. Of all the many and varied reasons which inspired my relocation, one of the most prominent was my close proximity to work. A measly 4 miles would separate my home and office, and I became excited at the notion of finally being able to bike to work. The first test run of my new commuting style, however, proved less than successful. My minor oversight of the roughly 600 feet of elevation change over a short 4 miles caused a swift and humbling knock to my ego during the commute home. As I pushed my bike up the steep incline, I thought to myself, I would be more successful if I just walked this... but the heat and exhaustion must have pushed the notion from my mind and I gave up on my alternative transport after the first try.

Months came and went. Leaves turned, snow fell, flowers grew, and I drove; down the mountain in the morning, up the mountain in the evening. Same thing. Every day. Over and over. Until one day, like some kind of ghost, the distance memory of a fleeting thought wafted back into my brain. I could walk to work! It was only 4 miles, and though the incline was steep, I trusted my athleticism enough to propel myself up and down the mountain. Plus, if I wanted to commit myself to a more exploratory life, I had to stop barreling through it. Walking to work just might help slow things down long enough to help me see what is right in front of my face.

Setting off from home that first morning, I felt as if I was trekking out on some kind of marvelous, new adventure. The sun was bright, the air was cool, and though I was heading along a road I had driven an immeasurable number of times before, everything was different. The drive had always been beautiful, but oh, how much I had been missing. The ability to pause and witness a singular moment of natural beauty, framed by the branches of trees and washed in the rays of the morning sun was the gift of this slower pace. I found with each mile I began to breath more deeply and relax into a calm, meditative stride. By the time I arrived at work my mind was focused and peaceful. The inevitable stresses of the day bothered me less and the prospect of the return walk ran pleasantly through my mind all day.

It is important to note over the next few day alarms clocks went off earlier, blistered formed, muscles ached, and cars traveling too fast on blind curves had to be dodged. The road and I have had to get to know each other. And while I don't want to speak too soon, I can definitely feel a bond beginning to grow. Sadly, I am not able to walk every day. Weather, appointments, and general life stuff still continues to mandate the occasional vehicular commute. I also find myself beginning the fight against the waning hours of daylight, as we inevitably move into the darker half of the year; but I am dedicated to walking as long as nature (and safety) will allow.

In final reflection, I truly think I may have accidently stumbled upon some kind of ancient magic in this simple act. I am not yet sure how big of an impact it will have on my life (if that is even the point). In the meantime, however, I guess I'll just keep putting one foot in front of the other.