Almost immediately outside the gates to my home park is this little nature trail, which I had walked down before with friends. But the other day I was by myself. It’s part of a bigger park that’s a few miles down the road, but this part is small, and quiet. It was sunny, which is why I was out in the first place, but I was surprised that my car was the only one in the parking lot. But I started down the path anyhow, hoping to see, I don’t know exactly, I guess I was ready to be surprised.
The surprise proved to be how different the whole experience was when you are hiking by yourself. The path was narrow, and as I walked it got shadier, and darker. And I began to notice that there was water along side the trail. And I got to wondering what creatures were lurking in the water, or on the path just around the bend. From my previous trip I knew that the path made a loop, and just as I began to question the wisdom of the solitary journey the trail be gan to get damp. No, muddy. And the mud began to pull at my shoes as I took each step. By this time I wasn’t sure if I would get back to the car more quickly if I turned around or kept going. So I stayed the course.
I began to wonder if I was more worried about four legged predators or two legged predators. I wondered if it’s legal to carry mace in Florida? But the reality was the only creature I did startle on the path was a partridge, or maybe it was a wild turkey. It disappeared into the thick bush too quickly for a photo. And I walked some more and began to hear traffic noises.
And I was back in the sunshine at the parking lot. It was an adventure but all the excitement took place in my own mind. I’m grateful for that…
