The Path Not Taken

The Path Not Taken

It was a long uninspiring walk. At least that was what it was supposed to be. When I entered the woods, the plan was to walk along the path until I reached its end, which was a park, turn around and hike back. The round trip should have been about 3 miles and taken me about an hour to accomplish.

What I hadn’t counted on was the tree falling to block my way about halfway up the trail. It missed hitting me by about three feet. It was not quite the amount of walking I wanted to do today. I didn’t want it to end now so I decided to go off path. Big mistake. 

Did you ever notice that the reason they make paths the way they do is to make sure you avoid certain things that are not on them? 

Let’s start with plants, besides the vines that I tripped over numerous times, leaving I’m sure multiple contusions on my legs, there are the patches of shiny red leafed plants that I kept rubbing against. For some reason, I’m starting to itch. 

Then there are the animals. The buzzing ones that seem to think that I am nectar for their diet, again leaving me with multiple spots that itch. The web building ones that seem to be sticking to me every time I pass a low hanging vine, and the flying ones, that appear to be using me for target practice, not that they didn’t try while I was on the path also. 

Clearly this off the beaten path is also used by hunters.  Gladly, they were not very good shots, as some arrows whizzing through the air just managed to miss me. 

Having finally made it around the base of the fallen tree, logic dictated that I follow the same tree on the other side until I reached the path again. But when you’re covered in welts and rashes, dodging bird poop and arrows, logic does not play a part in your thinking. I sure wish I had brought my cell phone with me, but with my luck, there would not have been any service. 

I could go on with my adventure, but the rest of my walk became sort of a blur. I do remember finally finding the end of the trail some 6 hours later and being picked up and flown in a helicopter to where I am now at Southside General. 

The doctors say I should be okay in about a week, once the antibiotics kick in and the stitches are removed; Just in time for me to get some fresh air and exercise again.  

I mean, that seems logical, right?