Today’s lumber was all about hitting my 30-mile goal for the week, and spoiler alert—I did.

I only needed 4.5 miles, so it wasn’t that big of a deal, but I’m glad I got it done. Sure, I COULD somewhat easily hike 30 miles a week if I went by the 7-day week, and at times, I’ve been forced to. However, I’ve realized lately, or maybe knew all along, that doing it in 5 days is not only harder (in a good way) but also gives me some structure to my life as if I had an actual career outside the home, like the bad ol’ days instead of being a dumbass who specializes in cooking, cleaning, lawn mowing, and failure (ha!).

Today was another day of bad luck with the camera. I saw a wood frog, but he outsmarted me in the leaves, and I saw some deer but couldn’t get a good shot through the trees. With that, today’s photos are some of the ones I didn’t get around to editing during the week or same subjects, like my buddy Sal A. Mander, who I’ve taken too many photos of but can’t seem to stop.

One odd thing happened during today’s loop: I was about 3 miles in when I saw a man and a child walking toward me on the trail. No big deal; trails are made for stompin’ and ridin’. However, this cat was dressed in dress “slacks,” a crewneck sweater, and boat shoes, and the kid (presumably his daughter) was decked out in a dress and carrying a coloring book. Hands down one of the strangest things I’ve seen while hiking. Well, other than the cigarette-smoking Amish dude and that old, sweaty fat guy that hikes there 5 days a week with his camera and sometimes poops in the woods in an emergency. Hey, wait a minute!!!

To be fair, he was nice and asked me how the photography was going. And just like every time someone asks me how it’s going, I have a memory card full of nothing.

I ended the week with 31.05 miles in my feetz (35.05 if I add in the two lawn mowing sessions that clock in a 4 miles total. But I won’t).

The weekends were made to slack, and at 3:01 PM (quitting time!), it shall begin with a Torpedo and watching some World Cup Qualify matches on the TV.

Later.