People are funny about birthdays. Some like to ignore them completely, others crave a big celebration, while still others (whether they like it or not) have them sprung on them by surprise.
For many years, a critical part of my birthday observance has required hiking in nature. It has offered a chance to observe, take stock and push myself—sort of a physical and mental gut check.
A year ago, I set out to do a 10-mile hike on the Cottonwood Lakes Trail in the Sierra Nevada Mountains out of Lone Pine, California. It was Aug. 27. The nation was firmly in the grip of the COVID-19 pandemic, and smoke from numerous wildfires was polluting the air. Sadly, in the course of a year, little has changed.
This year, I was lucky enough to receive an invitation to visit Grand Lake, Colorado, and celebrate my birthday hike in the Rocky Mountains accompanied by the perfect guide—a former forest ranger and decorated Vietnam War veteran named Roger Rood, who also turned 75 this year. During his years as a ranger, Rood (who stands about 6 feet, 2 inches) was often called upon to appear for the public dressed in the full furry costume and smiling head of Smokey Bear. (FYI—that is Smokey’s official name—not Smokey THE Bear, and this year is his 75th birthday, too.)
So, in a sense, Roger and I—and at least the spirit of Smokey Bear—went off together for a hike in the woods.
