I can’t remember the exact moment in the last year that I decided to start getting up at 5:20 AM every weekday. I also don’t know the exact reason why, but I think it’s something to do with not letting my mind be lulled into a mind-funk by staying in The Bed of Torment any longer than needed.
As weeks go, this has been an OK one, but anyone who knows me knows that I have a love of routine, and earlier in the week I THOUGHT I was on track. However, this week has had lots of breakups to my sacred daily routine.
My pretty, OK, not bad, kinda good week of lumbering continued on Thursday morning.
After a mostly boring Monday evening, and in the midst of a 12-hour minimum fast for blood work Tuesday morning, I went to bed around 7:30 PM and read for about an hour before turning in.
Then, I was up early and at the lab at 6:58 for them to suck a vial of blood from my arm.
THINGS NOT ABOUT HIKING
The week’s lumbers thus far have not been my best, with my mind firmly in the clenched jaws of the black dog. Thankfully, on Wednesday afternoon, I had my bi-weekly appointment with the OG Mindbender.
On Tuesday, I once again found myself driving to the trails in some of the worst fog I’ve ever driven in. It was like driving into a white wall for 13 minutes, hoping to arrive with car and body intact.
First, today.
With today’s sunrise not scheduled until 7:22 AM, I finally bit the bullet and strapped on my headlamp to start the lumber. Something I was slightly hesitant to do after yesterday’s early morning Homeless Camper encounter.
But, it was all good, and it allowed me to get to the park earlier and get a 6.01-mile hike in my feetz, well before 9AM. And I finished my week of lumbering with 30.71 miles over 5 days. Win.
Due to the earlier start and bad luck, there are no photos from today; I had to use scraps from the week.
Last weekend was swell, even though there was no lumbering and no photo creeping.
Saturday was spent watching footy from the time I woke up until late in the afternoon. As a bonus, Spurs won 3-0 over West Ham, and sit 3rd in the table after 4 games. Yeah, yeah, I know it’s super early, but after finishing 17th last year, it’s nice to imagine a top-four finish.
Thursday, I stomped out another 6 miles in the crisp morning air, and it was pretty darn not bad.
After a weekend of not doing much other than watching shit World Cup Qualifying football, I was, of course, back in the woods come Monday for another week of lumbering and pointless, amateur-at-best, attempts at nature photography.
The week so far has been perfect fall weather, and I’ve taken advantage of the comfortable temps to stomp out some miles, and as I type this at 6 AM Thursday, whilst waiting for the sun to rise in an hour, I sit at 18.42 miles over three days. Sure, it’s all just pissing in an ocean of quinquagenarian suck, but sometimes an ocean to pee in is all one has.
Other than the ever-present deer, the critter activity has been lame, so I’m hoping for more luck with the critter pics in the coming days.
Later.