Life Goals
Taido and I say to each other all the time that we want to keep hiking well into our old age.
Then this summer, only a few days into the Via Alpina, I was starting to think thoughts like:
I think this might be my last serious mountain climb.
It’s time for me to stick to the lower level routes.
All morning I had been counting steps up the mountain.
We could see the pass ahead of us and even better, we could spot that there was a restaurant on top, so we knew we were looking forward to a substantial break.
When we finally reached the top, I collapsed into a chair while everyone went inside to order.
Just grab me one of what you’re having, I said to Taido. I couldn’t take another step.
The restaurant on Hahnenmoos Pass turned out to be a whole beautiful resort, with comfy chairs and sun loungers.
While I sat in my barely-conscious state, I watched an older couple come up the hill.
They were taking their time, but they were not struggling. You could tell that this was not their first rodeo. I imagine they were life-long mountain climbers.
They walked inside and came back out with two espressos, which they sat down and quickly drank. Then they fell back into their chairs and fell asleep.
I don’t know where they were headed next or what their plans were for the afternoon. But in my book, they were winning life.
For the next part of the trail, they would be fueled up and rested.
I pointed them out to Taido and Anna.
Hey y’all, I said, Look…
Hashtag Life Goals.
