In my favorite post-hike hangout, a coffee shop. Unedited series of vignettes.
Hiking Day Musings
I.
A young man in a black hoodie is taking down the artwork
In the coffee shop.
They’re stacked and off he goes,
Converse sneakers and frayed blue jeans.
Blank walls are now staring at me
Pockmarked with the hangers that were left behind.
II.
One slice of apple pie
In a to go container
So it can be savored,
Bite by bite
As slowly or quickly
As I want to eat it.
Bringing it back to my airbnb
Where there’s a refrigerator
In case
I decide
I need to enjoy it tomorrow
too.
The coffee is in a paper cup
So it would stay hot
While I ate my fritatta, checked my email,
And finally decided to go to the counter
And buy that slice of pie.
III.
Bald guy in a white polo shirt,
On the phone,
Sunglasses perched on top of his head,
Laptop open
He was here working when I came in
And it looks like
He will be working when I leave.
I like his office.
IV.
Post hike fatigue
The adrenaline has gone
My body is tired,
My legs want to stretch.
I look at pictures on my phone
And smile
Laugh a little inside
At what a glorious day this has been
One of many.
Loving life.
Loving freedom
Loving my health
Loving exploring,
Meeting people on the trail,
Then settling by myself
To collect my thoughts
And process the beauty
Of my life.
Feel a little entitled
But mostly I feel like
I am reaping what I sowed.
A content and fulfilling life
That I was earned
Sometimes the hard way.
Post hike reflections
As meaningful
As the hike itself.
V.
Hustle with a diamond hoodie,
Facial scruff,
And a ball cap,
Drinking coffee,
While his buddy eats a brownie,
And sips from a plastic cup,
Some kind of cold drink,
Topped with whipped cream.
Laptop versus tablet,
Study in contrasts,
Buddies all the same.
VI.
Trying to upload videos with the photos
A slow process
I suppose I could upload them separately
But what would be the fun of that?
I like it when uploading
Is as challenging
As the hike.
Testing the limits of the WiFi.
Is easier than
Testing the limits of my knees and calves.
@Prescott, AZ. Thank you, Wild Iris Coffehouse, for the yummy frittata.
