Getting Outdoors

For the past several weeks, I've been dealing with more than my usual share of physical and mental fatigue. Which in a way is ludicrous, because I work a desk job. I suppose it is stress, and I really don't like making excuses, but the constant neck and back pain is starting to wear on me (not to mention the resulting migraines). And to be sure, the fact that I spend my days sitting at a desk on the computer is probably the primary cause of my trouble. I'm simply not active enough.

Today - Saturday - offered a slight change of pace. I was up before 6am, woke my youngest son, and by 7:30 we were on our way to a nearby state park to join his Cub Scout pack on a 3.5 mile hike. Fall is not quite here yet, but as we walked the trail you could almost hear the trees pining for their leaves to start changing. But although the morning quickly reached the mid 80's, the sky was beautifully crystal clear and blue. In a few more weeks, that same trail will be alive with color. With each passing moment, I could feel the knots starting to loosen, if only a bit.


The blue expanse continued to beckon all afternoon. Even as I was filling my sinuses with flying dust and grass clippings, I found myself constantly drawn to the striking contrast between the earth and sky.


So while I'm in a desperate need for a genuine break, I'll have to be satisfied with these brief moments. No doubt, the outdoor air and activity did me some good (despite my protesting sinuses). I need more of it.

Evening has arrived, and still, I'm taken aback at the endless blue above. What a wonderful, beautiful day.