So I sit here debating with myself, do I want to write about the Pandemic, not really. We have, we are, we will, live through it. It has changed us, it will never not be a part of our lives. At this point I am ready to move towards the light at the end of that tunnel.
I continue to enjoy walks. I have learned to force myself if needed, to get out and move. I enjoyed the year of walks in the swamp, now I am mixing up where I walk, parks, in THE city, along the water, in the tourist zone across the river, in new areas, in historic areas, in very urban landscapes, and in the country. The important thing is moving. At my age if you sit still too long they start to measure you for a coffin. I need to keep moving towards the light at the end of the tunnel.
Travel plans. It has been decades since I have gone this long without being on a airliner going someplace. The train to New York was fun, and the city was amazing. We have flight reservations for late October. And the forest fire was turned away so South Lake Tahoe should still be there when we get there. A bright light at the end of a long dark tunnel.
A few years ago, I rode a bike though a long railroad tunnel. Originally the tunnel had tracks in both directions, as part of the rails to trails movement, the trains now have one track, with a wide paved pedestrian and bike trail on the other side. The signs warned riders to walk their bikes through the tunnel. I ignored the warnings and I learned first hand what tunnel vision really means. In the middle of the tunnel, with very dim lights, I lost all perception of movement. I could see the dot of daylight, but barely see the ground, or the wall of the tunnel. It was one of the most amazing and disorienting feelings I have ever experienced. I stayed steady, knowing if I was peddling I was moving forward, steered a course toward the point of light, I could feel that I was staying on the pavement, but I can't tell you if I was moving 5 miles per hour, or 20 miles per hour. I can see how if someone panicked they would crash. This is not a time to panic, stay the course, focus on moving forward, focus on the point of light at the end of the tunnel.
As you head toward that light at the end of the tunnel, be darn sure it isn't an oncoming train!
ReplyDeleteRoad Runner cartoon time
DeleteGo to the light. There is peace and salvation inside the light. Come to the light children, all welcome, all welcome, now go into the light..
ReplyDeleteOh sorry, I must have slipped into my Tangina Barron's skit......
Tunnels evoke a lot of flashbacks.
DeletePs. I have a friend in South Lake Tahoe...but he said smoke damage was awful.
ReplyDeleteI am hoping that by late next month things are functional
DeleteAnd hope that the light at the end of the tunnel is not the headlight of an oncoming train.
ReplyDeleteListen for the horns
DeleteI was going to remark that walking a bike through the tunnel sounds like safety overkill, but it seems it wasn't. Some lighting within the tunnel would solve that problem.
ReplyDeleteThe shorter tunnels were well lit, the longer one was not.
DeleteLake Tahoe. One of the most gorgeous spots on earth. My parents used to rent a cabin up there during summers and we spent weeks at a time in those chilly waters.
ReplyDeleteWe've got a trip to Oregon planned to see my dad; first time in two years, you know, pandemic and all.
Not traveling has been hard, Booster shots before we go?
DeleteGood advice about focusing on the light at the end of the tunnel!
ReplyDeleteThanks, I try
DeleteGood advice! My friends spent a week at South Lake Tahoe just this past June before the fires hit. They loved every minute of it.
ReplyDeleteI am looking forward to the trip - your have one coming up about the same time I think
DeleteYou always have good sensible advice.
ReplyDeleteI try, and if I can only follow it
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