Today is what a Sunday should be all about. I’ve always loved Sundays, and today is no exception; in fact, it has been one of the best, full of calm and peace, a great Sunday to just ponder.
As far as this walk goes, I have switched valleys! A couple of days ago I was planning on walking up the East side of the Blue Ridge mountains, and got as far as Amherst, but after coming into Lexington, in the Shenandoah Valley, this is where I’m staying, even though it cost me about 20 miles, a day in my world, but oh so worth it. This is a beautiful part of the world.
Day started off as Sundays should, slowly and with a cup of great coffee. I stayed with my new friends John & Candy; it was supposed to be an Airbnb affair - friends had stayed with them before, so there was a personal reference, but we hit it off immediately and ended up talking all evening. Conversation resumed over breakfast, and if I hadn’t had to leave, it would have no doubt continued all day! Once again, kindness all over.
So properly fed, caffeinated and back on my Lee Highway, I had the perfect Sunday walk for about 15 miles to Raphine. About halfway, I ditched the Lee for a small farm road, a little further from the freeway, quieter and incredibly beautiful and mostly devoid of cars.
The colors on the trees continue to be spectacular; unfortunately, this camera don’t do them justice, but you can use your imagination to enhance - just think brighter! Where I grew up, the change of season was nowhere near as noticeable. In Mexico City, we had a rainy season in the summer, with a daily afternoon rain you could almost use to set your clock. Then in October, rain would end, and it would be dry until the following May, unless there was a strong winter storm. We really did not have four seasons, so I haven’t lived this that often, but I think this year will make up for that! According to the weather folks, this area is about 10 days from being in peak, color-wise, but I can’t imagine it being any prettier than it is today.
And on this peaceful day, I had two very nice conversations, one with me old and dear friend Ari, the other with my new friend Ken. I am very fortunate to have quite a few friends who have been friends for close to or over fifty years; Ari is one such friend. We talked about any an everything, and as we were talking, a gentleman passed me on his bike on our little country rode. Then he passed again and stopped. We introduced ourselves, and then talked for a few minutes on the side of the road. I learned that Ken was eighty-one years old, a widower, and is concerned about not being able to keep a 4 mph pace when he walked more than a mile! He alternates days between walking and cycling, and today he was doing 12 miles of the latter!
So Ken and I parted ways, I resumed my conversation on the phone and kept going. I wasn’t paying much attention and missed the turn onto the little road that brought me to the hotel, so I turned around and walked back towards it, and was happy to see Ken coming back in my direction. We met again and ended up talking for about half an hour. on the side of the road as the sun was setting. Had I not missed my turn, I would have missed him altogether. He told me his story.
We also talked quite a bit about fitness and exercise. Ken has been active most every day since he was told that if he didn’t make some life changes, he would suffer the same demise as his father, who passed away in his forties. And it shows - Ken doesn’t look anywhere near eighty, more like in his sixties. Unbelievable, and further testament about the importance of exercise and activity for well being. Ken also had an incredibly positive attitude, just sayin’.