Life in the Slow Lane

 
Once while trudging up a mountain trail, a woman with gray hair coming down the trail stopped me to tell me triumphantly she had hiked to the lake in less than two hours. I congratulated her, but what I wanted to ask was: Why did you go so fast?  Did you notice the marmot sunning itself on the rock or the columbine almost hidden beneath the boulder? She was gone before I had chance to tell her that my last hike to the lake took five hours.

For myself, I like to go as slowly as possible, more of a saunter than a trudge. I want to spend as much time as I can in the mountains, and I want to notice everything: the waterfall across the valley, every conceivable combination of flowers (color, shape) and especially the gnarled roots of the bristlecone pine.

But I found that people look at you strangely if you’re just standing staring into space. Once, on a trail in Eldorado Canyon, I was admiring the red rock formations when a family stopped, trying to see what I was looking at so intently.  Surely, I had spotted a bear or the rare rimrock rose.  I had to admit that I was just looking at rocks, and they left, disappointed.

It helps to have binoculars, so it appears that you’ve spotted a bird that needs to be identified in the top of the pine tree. Or to have a flower guidebook, so people assume you’re leaning over the flowers the better to see how many petals. But one of the best decoys for me is my camera. I’ve taken more than my share of mediocre photos (thank goodness for digital cameras) in an effort to appear as if I’m doing something useful rather than just admiring the clouds floating by.

I may not be doing anything useful, but I’m enjoying everything around me. I’m a dreamer, staring at clouds or the shadow of an aspen tree on a large granite boulder. You can hurry up the trail as fast as you want, but I’m going to stay here as long as I can, admiring this field of purple asters waving in the wind.

Comments

[sally]

Kathy, No disguise should be necessary!! Though I do know what your saying...what most people deem normal my just be the herd mentality. They could learn something from you and how to savor the experience. But your also lucky enough to be able to spend time in those beautiful mts!! Others my have only that day and need to catch a plane or get back to work or whatever. But I agree we are all into big of a rush!! Keep on SAVORING!! I'm am envious!!

[shoney]

Yes!

[Laurel Kallenbach]

I love the way you think. I recently had knee surgery, so when I hike, I keep my eyes on the trail so that I keep my footing. If I'm trying to keep up with other hikers, I find that I don't have time to look up and pay attention to the scenery. (Although I do have an intimate knowledge of the rocks, mud and tree roots!)

I love your reflections on the beauty of sauntering. In fact, I love the whole idea of sauntering through life!!

[Rosemary Carstens]

Love this post, Kathy. In recent years, some arthritis has slowed me down and shortened my leash, so to speak, but OH how I enjoy what I do see on my shorter walks and climbs! Just this week I was "sauntering" around Golden Ponds here in Longmont (your sauntering is probably my highest speed, haha)just trying to soak up the glorious fall colors, the view of the mountains to the west, the stunning reflections on the sky and trees in the water. It was all just so darned fantastic. Everyone who passed asked me what I saw, craning their necks in case I had sighted something they'd think extraordinary. I had, but there was no way to explain I was just "being" in that moment, in that space.

[Julene]

Another encouraging reminder to slow down, savor, wake up. I'll try to do that today as I work in my garden, whacking down last season's growth, aware that these last days of warmth are numbered.