The Local

Unforced Movement
Moving without trying to improve anything.

I went on a walk early today because it is getting pretty warm these days.

I started the trail walk with my usual posture. Head and eyes down. Arms and legs engaged.

I think it is a way to not engage with others. To walk in my own world.

But today, with the exception of one walker, every walker, hiker, jogger, and biker I passed seemed determined to meet my eyes and say hello in one way or another.

Even the birds seemed to land right in front of me and chirp loud enough to be heard above my music.

I thought maybe people were noticing me because I was wearing a bright white t-shirt with Snoopy and Woodstock carrying an American flag.

I wasn’t sure.

What I did know was that I was unable to avoid saying hi back to anyone.

As I approached the final part of the trail, a large, very muscular man with no shirt stopped and pulled out an AirPod.

He asked,
“Do you know which trail heads up to the top?”

I was stunned that he asked me.

If I was lost, I would have asked him. He looked like he had been jogging hard trails for a long time.

I said,
“I think if you stay on that one, it should lead to the top.”

The Olympian thanked me and headed off at an aggressive pace.

When I got to the parking lot, I looked up to see if I had been right.

I was.

He was already nearing the top of the hill I could see.

Then it hit me.

Although I have only lived here one year and one day, they might be seeing me as a local.

One who definitely knows this trail.

Maybe.

One thing for sure.

I do feel like this is my hometown.

This is where I belong.