July 29,2024
Well, that was interesting! I’m glad that I declared my intention to walk in Nature every day of July and expanded my range for a couple of days to walk a bit on Ohio’s Buckeye Trail.
This morning, I weighed whether to go back home or take another walk on the Buckeye Trail. I have a zoom meeting with my coaching group at 2 pm as well as the 2-hr drive.
I chose staying in the area! First, I did a little trail reconnaissance and located a library where I can get WiFi for my meeting. There’s one 15 minutes from the trailhead where I ended up yesterday. Having checked that out, grateful that I’m DRIVING for this part, I reached the trailhead about 10:15. I ate a leisurely breakfast by Stoney Creek, then started walking at 11 a m. I had two hours.
I truly loved the Ohio deciduous woods where the trail wound gently up and down. There was a particular stretch of a few hundred yards through mature trees that resonated pure joy! Walking through it reminded me of several spots on the Appalachian Trail – and the Benton MacKaye Trail too – that are my “perfect” woods.
A strange thing happened, though, when after a short break, I walked for about ten minutes, then realized I was back at the same field I had already visited. Wait! Whaaat? Puzzled, I figured out that I had mistakenly turned around after my break. I am still pondering that.
I walked in the correct direction again, going for 15 minutes past my disoriented spot. Time to go back!
45 minutes later I was correctly back at my van and ready to head to the library. Fulfillment! Each Step was easy! My heart is singing, and I am wondering if I would want to plan a thru-hike of the Buckeye Trail.
This trip satisfies engaging with my first essential for crafting a fulfilling walk – know my trail!