Balance in the Force
Wednesday, 6 May 2020
Phase 1: Greenbelt Plateau
Our fearless adventurers stepped to either side of the trail, in the spirit of social distancing, as the oncoming cyclist approached. The cyclist glared at them. “You should stay on the trail,” he admonished, and pedaled away before our intrepid explorers could respond.
Normally, of course, one might agree with the underlying sentiment: don’t widen the trail. These days, however, we have a preference for “don’t spread the virus.”
We spewed a few choice replies into the empty air, but alas, the lycra-clad naturalist had long since gone out of earshot, grinding his way southward, stirring up dust and scarring the rocks with his knobby, organic tires.
Here’s what Boulder Open Space says about the matter: “Stay on trail and walk through mud. If needed, step off to maintain distance. Please avoid stepping on vegetation. If possible, step onto a rock or a bare spot to let others pass, then step back on the trail.”
Continuing down the trail, we practiced stepping on rocks and stomping on bare spots, in preparation for our next encounter.
Soon enough, another cyclist approached. We stepped off-trail to let him pass, while mentally rehearsing our retorts.
“Happy Wednesday,” he exclaimed.
Why you dirty back-stabbing double-crossing… Wait, what?
“I’ll ride off-trail so you can stay on the path,” he added cheerfully.
Hmm. “Nice weather tonight,” we muttered haplessly.
Such is life, I suppose. Yin and yang. Balance restored.
Phase 2: In Situ
We drove to the other side of the parking lot for a tailgate P2. D had a sandwich and IPA; S had a sandwich, broccoli-crunch salad, and Guinness. We were entertained by some cyclists across the parking lot, who regaled each other with salty tales of the ride they’d just completed, and bellowed some non-essential plans for their newly-arrived stimulus checks.
Phase 3: In Situ
Yes, it’s true: Phase 3 has returned. S had a pineapple upside-down cake Lärabar and Rishi turmeric-ginger tea in a Miir travel mug. D had Folger’s in a Thermos.
We had one question of the night, but forgot what it was.
☯
