After months of not hiking to avoid the uptick in traffic on our favorite trails, we finally ventured out. We chose an overcast weekday, with slight flurries, and bone chilling temperatures to go on this adventure in the hopes that the trails wouldn’t be crowded. We also chose a location that offered over one hundred acres with many smaller paths off of the main trail. Therefore if we did encounter someone, we could easily change course and keep our social distance. However, we forgot to factor in people just can’t avoid being drawn to us!
When we arrived we were the only car in the parking lot. Excellent! We had covered a good distance on the trail when a second car arrived. No problem, we have a head start. Well much to our surprise, it didn’t take long for the two women and their excitable little dog to catch up. It was the dog who must have brought their attention to us, with her constant barking of “Hey wait for us!” Regardless, we didn’t wait and kept on hiking, and turned on the first path we saw, so that the other hikers could continue along on the main trail. And yet they followed us.
Strange, we all thought, but maybe they are just here to do the short loop. We quickened our pace and continued on with the plan to take the next possible detour. Oddly enough, their pace increased too, keeping only a few yards between us and their dog who was barking the entire time, while they happily chatted. We found the next trailhead, and carried on with our adventure, assuming they would go straight on their current path. And yet they followed us.
We slowed our pace, and even moved over on the trail so they could easily pass. Instead, they slowed their pace too, keeping the same safe distance behind us. We eventually looped our way back to the main trail. While walking Mom and Dad debated should we head back to the car or continue in a new direction. They decided that it must be a coincidence that the two women were following us. So we continued our hike on the main trail. And yet they followed us.
Amused, Dad suggested we take a really muddy trail that led to a swamp. Surely they wouldn’t want to walk their small white dog there? They did! And in case you’re wondering, the dog continued barking at us to wait up. Trudging along the muddy trail, we didn’t dare stop to let Asa enjoy a good roll for fear they’d catch up. Although Mom and Dad had masks with them, they really just wanted to enjoy a peaceful hike with social distancing, and not have to deal with people. And yet they followed us!
Defeated, we headed back to the car, passing a few more trail options. And you can guess what the two women and their barking dog did. They followed us! Our car and theirs were the only two in the parking lot of the land preserve that offers hundreds of acres and multiple trails. And yet they followed us. As they waved at us as we got in our car, one even shouted, “Great Hike!” There’s only one logical explanation for their behavior. They were drawn to my magnetic personality, and couldn’t resist following us!
