The Perfect Stride

We were getting ready to hike from Warner Valley campground when Cindy eagerly called me over.

“You’ve got to get a picture of this!”

The picture was a gag shot of Charissa washing herself right by a sign saying that no washing was allowed (regarding dishes). Gag shots are a common staple of thru-hikers. For good or bad gag shots are reflective of my sense of humor. Cindy tells folks this is what attracted he to me, usually with an added roll of the eyes and adding: “What was I thinking?!”

I tell folks I was attracted to Cindy’s stride; the best looking stride I’ve seen on a woman. There is evidence to support this. When we hiked across the country I went through seven pairs of running shoes; the light and efficient footed Cindy was on her third at the end. On this hike Cindy is the only one of the three of us without foot problems.

Cindy prefers climbing into her sleeping bag with her socks on. One reason is for extra warmth; another is for one less chore requiring assistance. The other day I insisted she removed her socks, expecting to see the painful effects of neglected feet. Instead I found feet in near perfect condition, save for one small blood blister on the side that would hardly bother even a princess.

I was heartened by the condition of her feet, but pleased still more by her enthusiasm for a gag shot. Alzheimer’s, the disease of confusion, is yet a confusing affliction. Had I asked Cindy to read that sign she would struggle to do so. Yet she knew what the sign said, what it meant and the irony of Charissa washing her feet by it. Let that be a signal and perhaps a caution to all that people afflicted with Alzheimer’s are much more aware than we assume.