The West Highland Way: May 25 - May 31

Beth and I hiked the West Highland Way from Saturday, May 25th through Friday, May 31st. Over the seven days, we walked 97 miles together; the longest day was just under 19 miles, the shortest about 9. We walked along lakes and over mountain passes, through forests and across open grasslands. The winds whipped and laid down, the rain poured and the sun shone. We met people from all over the world. We ate and drank. We slept hard. There were no blisters and was only one (temporary) knee malfunction.

What was most important about the experience was the time together. Being together as a couple isn't always easy. Even when you like and love someone, the complexities of managing your own ego needs and the demands of your job and your children can squeeze out emotional space for engaging your loved one. This week of walking gave us that kind of space. We joked about whether we needed to plan a 19 mile walk every week to sort through what it is to be married in midlife.

Walking, I do believe, is a life-giving practice. It is one way that we can inhabit our bodies. Our feet press against the earth. The air moves around our skin. Our balance and equanimity is demanded at every step. And no two steps--no two views--are the same. Even better to have a companion to walk alongside, to encourage you when you grow tired, to share what they saw that you missed, and to listen when the lightning flash of revelation streaks across your own mind and you want to speak it aloud before it is lost.