As I've aged, I have found less interest in going through life at a fast pace. Whenever I am out for a hike, I find it much more enjoyable to do less miles and take more time soaking in the sights, sounds and smells of nature. I'm one of those people that everyone passes on the trail. Usually, I'm hunched over my hiking poles trying to catch my breath and cursing the person who just had to take this trail straight up the mountain without even a thought given to throwing in a switchback or two. Typically, as well, I wind up in close proximity to everyone has passed me during the day. It just took me a little longer to reach my destination.
My biggest accomplishment this week hasn't been surviving my first full week of work. The thing I am most proud of is that I haven't been run over by a BMW or a Nissan Xterra in the process of getting to and from work. Rush hour traffic is something I had expected. What I didn't expect is that the people who are passing me in the fast lane and those just simply going from one lane to the next and back in hopes of catching a break in the traffic. You see, I drive the same way I hike. Yes, I am becoming one of those people who just sort of meanders to and from work. I pick out my lane and stick to it, never changing lanes unless I just have to pass someone. I know which lane leads directly to work and which lane will carry me home in the evening. And despite the fact that others out there are passing me, we seem to arrive at the same place at the same time. I've seen people after leaving work that move across the lanes trying to find a faster one. They are usually not more than one or two car lengths away from when I take my exit off of I-95 some 16 miles later.
So I will continue to take the slow lane. I'll leave plenty of space between me and the next guy in front of me so we don't crowd each other out. I'll stick to the speed limit, if possible, but you can usually find me along with everyone else, stuck in traffic. I'll enjoy my drive in the mornings and use the afternoon commute to wind down from work. And, if this week is any indicastion, I'll get there about the same time as everyone else.
Unless, of course, someone plows me over.
