Happy Trails

I like going on hikes.  I have a husband who likes walking just fine but who chooses to ponder the scenery while getting exercise, more than I do.  He loves to contemplate the landscape and smell the flowers or pine trees or even better, the aroma of a nearby bakery. I call what he does, strolling. He calls what I enjoy, a forced march. We’ve come up with a plan:  Early in the morning I take fast walks and significantly raise my heart rate, at the same time diminishing my levels of stress and anxiety. When on alternate days it’s his turn to walk our dog, he goes the same distance at a more leisurely pace. In between, we practice taking walks together at a rate that works for both of us.  On a recent trip, we walked miles and miles at the new speed and it worked great.  Compromise — what a concept.