#143 Home from 2022 Section Hike
I want to enjoy the afterglow that follows a long hike - that period of time where your mind and spirit are still wandering around out there somewhere.
A Sprawl Explosion occurs on my balcony. Some of my gear hangs over railing and chairs to be aired out. Camp dishes are tossed in the sink to soak. Hiking clothes roll around in the washer and dryer.
As for me, I sleep well but can’t seem to eat enough to satisfy the hunger. One benefit of hiking long distance is that your metabolism is high and your stomach’s system is empty, so you can eat as much of whatever you want for a week or so - but you’d better know how to turn off the feeding machine before you over-do it. That belly will begin pocking out again if you’re not careful.
It’s Monday and I decide to not return to work until the following week. I want to enjoy the afterglow that follows a long hike - that period of time where your mind and spirit are still wandering around out there somewhere. It takes a little while for them to find their way back home.
Returning to work and being around people tends to speeds up the process of dousing the afterglow, so I put a little gap between the two.
Our friend flies in the next day from L.A. on to spend a few days with us, and to attend a preaching conference with my wife. We show our friend around town and the church my wife pastors. But when it’s time for their on-line conference, I have to make myself scarce. We take the evenings slow, filling the time with TV shows none of us have seen or introducing one another to some we have.
We celebrate my wife’s 44th birthday with dinner at her favorite restaurant and a stroll around the Sprouts market. Our friend gives her socks with her (our friend’s) face on them, as my wife had given our friend socks with her (my wife’s) face on them the year before. The week is full of laughter.