As the last horizons of summer beckoned, and the faculty began their annual march back to campus, getting a jump on the weekend not only seemed like a good idea, it seemed urgent. And I listened to experience.

On Monday high alert status ensues, a seven week long period where the nights and weekends after work are not really my own. In place of dreams, technical problems from the days before brawl for their slice of what’s left of my subconscious mind. This era of heightened awareness concludes the first weekend of October, when the students disembark for an all school trip. Shortly thereafter, breathing during the day gets a lot easier. Check that: There’s actually time for breathing.

Before the insanity begins though, there was the day off. After sleeping in, and checking the Internets, I grabbed the CamelBak and hit the trail.

For various reasons, haven’t hiked much this summer. More importantly, my last round trip through these particular woods was nearly three years ago. Over the past ten years, probably covered the eight mile loop three dozen times. Good thing, too.

While the trail was exactly the same after all this time–albeit even more impacted thanks to erosion, a dry summer, and increased foot traffic–the blazes looked different. Different not in the sense that there were less markers in new places, but just as profound. My eyes tried to reconcile the all new color schema.

While not terribly dependent on blazes, when it’s been a few years and you just know blue intersects orange, only now white crosses pink ( and green/white ), it does cause the odd double take. Especially towards the end, long after killing the last shard of beef jerky.

Changes aside, a very good loop. I’m going to make it a point to get at least one long hike a week between now and Halloween. Perhaps into early winter if the weather prove mild. Thoughts just come much easier in the woods, particularly the creative sort of thoughts. That’s an important lesson to rediscover.

Particularly when things get crazy.