"I wish to speak a word for nature..."

This is the beginning of Henry David Thoreau's "Walking" which I am currently reading on my way to and back from work amidst the cloistered metro seats of DC. Ironic I should think, but no I'd rather not walk home from Navy Yards to Glen Echo. Rather there is an emphasis on the fading ability to find such things as small deer paths to follow and bubbling creeks to jump across.

As of late I have done nothing but my job. Don't get me wrong I love my job as a veterinary technician for the humane society. It is hard work and some days it is more difficult to bear than others as we see all colours of humanity. My coworkers are manageable [i joke..i joke..] and for the most part the patient as well. My work days are ten hour days and though I only work 4 days of a 7 week, I need the three days to rest, clean, and cook. Cut to the chase...I NEED A HOBBY!!

My days of rugby I think are at a very long pause. I just don't think my knee can take the action any more though my heart rips to type the thought. There are a lot of other hobbies and activities that I used to do, I can go on and on! I have thought of taking a silver smithing class at the Glen Echo Park. Very expensive and I missed the deadline for the series of classes. I also though of joining Capitol Katori which is a local dojo in Silver Spring practicing Tenshin Shoden Katori Shinto-ryu. In English, many traditional Japanese martial arts fall under this discipline; kenjutsu, iaijutsu, ryotojutsu, bojutsu, naginatajutsu, sojutsu, shurikenjutsu, and jujutsu. The one that interests me most is iaijutsu or the art of drawing the sword. The elegance and philosophy behind iaijutsu seems almost otherworldly, a perfect match to my undying interest in fantasy and science fiction. Geeks unite!

Alas that is quite expensive, as is the silver smithing class. As much as I love my job, it doesn't earn me the amount needed for such hobbies. So, these ideas are stowed away on some poor little boat tied at the end of the dock waiting for the day someone sets her sails. Well...what now? So after a huge chitter chatter type type I come back to the title of this post. I think that it is about time that I re-immerse myself in the great outdoors. I used to take the family dog out for such long walks in the woods. Just walking one may say but really it was an entirely different world! Nothing was as present and intimate as those times. But I need something more than just an extra long walk with the dog. I need to hike. To go backpacking. And perhaps eventually, a thru-hike.

Mostly associated with the Appalachian Trail, a thru-hike is a long distance hike from trail head to trail head, or trail end to trail end. [hmm...] To complete the AT takes about 6-7 months I believe, weather and gear permitting, with a whopping 2,184.2 miles start to end. Doing a thru-hike is definitely not something for me to accomplish in this moment. It is a well practiced, thoroughly planned, time permitting endeavor. What I need to start with is a weekend trip, just a couple days in and out. I've got the boots and some gear, which is not a lot a heck more of a start than anything of those eagerly waiting dock-bound ideas.

And I must give thanks to those who have inspired me as I believe that it rightfully is theirs to receive. A veterinarian I used to work with, who had gone on a month long break trekking the AT. She just finished another AT trek I believe as of last month and I just finished reading her blog entries about her trip. Awesome. My sister and her fiance who have gone on several backpacking trips and introduced me to the beautiful Colorado hiking trails. And of course dear Henry, thank you!

I am pleased with this plan and must do my research! So for now I shall take my leave and update next with what my first step will be for this journey!

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For those who wish to read "Walking" here is a copy online. Enjoy! http://thoreau.eserver.org/walking1.html