After my hip injury and facing the fact of surgery with a complete hip replacement, I can no longer, in good conscience, risk further damage by riding my trike. I came to this conclusion very reluctantly but the rationale is compelling.
Symbolically, this represents to me saying good-bye to a very meaningful and rewarding part of my life: that of a long distance walker/runner.
I have walked a quarter of the Appalachian trail from Springer Mountain, Georgia to Damascus, Virginia accompanied only by my daughter Sophia and my faithful trail companion "Chessie". I was on the trail for 33 days.
I have also walked more than 300 volksmarches. These are walks in the countryside from 6 miles to 26 miles and have taken place in both Europe and in the United States.
I have climbed Mt. Washington (6600ft) several times and have walked many ultra-marathons. These consist of 100km (62.5 miles) events and are done within a 24 hr period. The last one I did, walking from the Kennedy Center to Harper's Ferry took me 22 hours and I was hallucinating by the time I reached the end.
As you can see from the above, these activities have fed my soul in many many ways and it is with both reluctance and sadness that I say goodbye to them.
My trike and I have been together for many years and I have ridden it on many trails including the Atlantic Beach at Daytona.
My bike friend came by to pick up my trike yesterday and I had to say goodbye. This the latest bulletin from Sparkyland and represents the close of one chapter in my life and the opening up of another.
4 comments:
Dear Sparky,
My heart breaks for you in one sense and sings for you in another. I know I don't need to tell you how difficult it is to close chapters of our lives that have been so joyous and meaningful for us. On the flip side, I know I also don't need to tell you how exciting the unknown of “what's next?” can be. You may have been pushed to sell your trike, but who knows? Maybe your new hip will prove bionic. Next chapter in Sparky's life... Ballet!
Love,
Sarah
I always considered walking a kind of therapy.
Two of my favorite walks, I think you can appreciate:
1- At one time I lived in Richmond Hill on 111th Street and Atlantic Ave- my current girlfrind lived in Woodhaven 89th and Jamaica. The walks home during october when the leaves were changing and falling (and when people gathered them and burnt them in the streets) were a kinestetic wonderland.
2- Another favorite walk was fromm 116th and Broadway down to the village on 8th Street and 6th- IN THE SPRINGTIME- I could almost skip down the street.
I can tell you Ive had some patients in their 80s with hip replacements , they are swimming and climbing mount Cotapaxi.
Larry
Dear Sarah,
As the old country song says "You've got to say goodbye before you can say hello." I am looking forward to the next chapter and will share it with you as soon as it descends upon my head like the gentile rain. Thank you for being you.
Sparky
Dear Larry
Your comment is nothing more than a lyrical poem! As you walk with me in the jungles of Ecuador, I can walk with you from 116th and Broadway down to Greenwich Village. I will keep you posted as to my rehabilitation and, of course, my creative mischief.Thank you again for walking by my side. Sparky
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