Editor’s Note: For those who might be new to this blog, and/or just forgot, “Steve” refers to a stroke that occurred to me.

Upon arriving home after my hike yesterday I was too tired to review my photo stream for reasons that will soon become apparent. And the hike began. Normally I put on some sunscreen, put my water and snacks into the backpack and put the backpack on my back. And at the beginning, I noted that the weather and was wondering how Steve would rear his stupid head. I probably would have to make frequent rest, breaks for instance. After all, I hadn’t really taken a hike in over and over a year.

I remembered the trail undulated, and had some deep bits, but plenty of level land as well. (Tangent – I live in the Central Valley. The next street over from me is ‘Leveland’! 😬) I continued to on the trail, taking breaks for water and rest as needed. Fortunately, it was slightly cloudy out making the trail relatively cool.

After a particularly steep segment, I found a bench to park my butt on for lunch and admire the view.

I snapped a few photos of the view and grabbed my glasses from the backpack so I could read the map and decide where to go next. Since the trail appeared to head toward a deep bit, I decided to turn around and head back the way that I had come. After backtracking a bit I followed a fork in the trail and head toward the parking area.

The remainder of the hike was uneventful. I stopped to take a few of photos and drink some more water. At one point I slung my backpack from one shoulder as the sun had come out, and it was beginning to get hot.

At the end of the hike, I put my stuff in the car and sat down in the shade to sleep my thirst and rest. I was feeling pretty good about myself. I had just hiked 4 miles and some change. That was when I noticed, I couldn’t find my glasses. I checked my backpack, my car, and my backpack again.

“Shit.”

I started a conversation with myself about the merits of going back and looking for them.

“ I do have an old pair I could use. My Eye Doctor just called last week to schedule an appointment for a new pair. But, this pair has the adjustment for my double vision. 🤔”

I to make a growing tale shorter I decided to retrace my tracks, but only to the lunch stop. I’m sure I had just left them on the bench.

Turns out that the lunch stop was actually the halfway point for the whole hike so, yes, I hiked the rest of the way back.

Aaaaaand….. no glasses.

I had just hiked over 8 miles, and I wasn’t any worse for the wear. In fact, I felt pretty good. Maybe I’ll do 8 miles this coming weekend too!

Not!

By the way, I didn’t see Steve anywhere.