Addicted to Hiking

 There are times when I just feel the need to put my thoughts into words. I guess it is therapeutic to release it into the world.  I'm not really sure right now where this post is going. It has just been a odd week and it has left me feeling restless. I am frustrated because today feels like Friday, but it is only Thursday. I don't want to work another day. I am done. One more day this week, and then next week and then 450 more working days ( give or take a few depending on sick days and vacation days) until I retire. oh that sounds awful. I prefer 1 year 11 months 8 days until I walk out of this place forever. 

This past week  I had two friends retire, and a third will be working her last day next week. I also heard that a former classmate passed away suddenly, she died in her sleep. No apparent reason why she died, she just did. I am feeling old and that time is slipping away. Why am I sitting in a stuffy office day after day. Oh yeah, I know why... full retirement age is 67. I need to reach that so I can maximize my retirement income. I will need every dollar to get by. I am single. I have been for just over four years now. I don't want my kids to have to look after me. I am too independent. It sucks sometimes being single. It is nice to have someone to share the joys and burdens of life with, but yet relationships tend to come with their own hardships and "baggage". At the end of the day I would prefer my independence. This is the life I chose. I could no longer remain in the toxic marriage I was in. It was slowly destroying me. I am so much stronger and happier since I made the decision to end it. I would've been better prepared financially for retirement as I was receiving alimony for the first 6 years, well that didn't last as he passed away only two years after we split. a promotion and pay raise at work solved that before it became an issue  

I am good... usually... most days. 

My biggest struggle with getting up and going to work is that I would really much rather be out hiking. I am surprised how addictive it is. I find I just want to be out on the trails... any trail. I have lost interest in gardening, diy, and relaxing (lol)  as I just want to either get out and hike or be planning my next big hike. It's not enough that I concentrate on my next trip to Cloudcroft N.M., now I look at Colorado for the Autumn, Big Bend National Park for next Winter and Machu Picchu for Autumn of 2025. Oh and lets not forget Nepal and EBC in 2026. Where else can I possibly venture? I have a whole bucket list of National Parks and sites to see that will keep me going until I am scattered to the universe. Do others get addicted to hiking? I think they must when I see how crowded the popular trails can get. It is a good addiction to have.