PCT Day 13, ‘zero’ day, Skykomish

When God is moving you towards a new consciousness, you need to recognize the winds of change at once, move with them instead of clinging to what is already gone. —Marion Woodman

Today was my day off.

1. I ate a big, beautiful burger washed down with a local ale.

2. I took several hot baths.

3. I talked to Richard – a lot.

4. I watched various trains pass through town

5. I laughed and cried with new friends.

6. I worked on visual-audio essays in the tiny town library.

7. I sat on a bench and watched the clouds turn pink over the mountains.

8. I picked through the ‘hiker box’ and scored some protein bars.

9. I slept in a cuddly bed.

10. I finished Amy Tan’s new book.

11. I applied for a job.

12. I never once put on my sneakers.

My friend Sarah sent me a wonderful article about walking today. Solvitur ambulando means ‘it is solved by walking.’

I guess I knew that all along, but nice to be reminded that I’m on the right track – and in good company, too. Simone de Beauvoir, Beethoven, Kierkegaard, all walkers, the latter saying –

Above all, do not lose your desire to walk: Every day I walk myself into a state of well-being and walk away from every illness; I have walked myself into my best thoughts and I know of no thought so burdensome that one cannot walk away from it.

Even Shakespeare has Prospero in The Tempest praise the virtues of walking to work out what ails us –

A turn or two I’ll walk, to still my beating mind.

Walking heals, and another helping comes my way tomorrow – but please forgive me when the posts come in batches as I am truly in the wilderness up here in Washington state.

Catch you in a little under a week.

♥️ Anita, blissful and the full time pedestrian. 🐥👣🎒