Trekking through Suburbia

One characteristic of suburbia is that it is structured around the car. This weekend I decided to challenge that idea. After a power lunch, I got on my hiking boots and packed my day pack for the "trail." I must have been quite a sight hiking along the highway. People honked as they passed in their SUVs... it was mostly old men, but perhaps someone was inspired! It was four miles each way to my destination, which was a small community outside of my college town.

After arriving, I read for a little in the diamond (equivalent to the town square) and took a nap in the sun. I felt a little like a hobo, as posh couples passed on weekend shopping sprees. I smiled to myself and rolled over in the grass. Before beginning the trek home, I visited the local museum. A grandmotherly woman named Ann clapped her hands when I entered and proceeded to lead me through the museum. Her shoes were off, and she seemed grounded and real. In the 45 minutes I spent with her, I heard about her and her husbands jobs, some of their grandchildren, and helped her climb the stairs because of her bad hip. She gave me a hug before I left and told me to come back with friends.

On the walk home, I felt refreshed. How centering to have escaped the weekly grind, how calming to move at the pace of my feet, and how energizing to make a new friend. It takes effort to uproot routine and live in the moment. But every day I want to try.