or the pelt of a raccoon, an old, hoary raccoon. The multitude of shades in his thinning hair extended from tan to the darkest brown—all dusted with the grey of age—because the dye had not been uniformly applied or allowed to set for the proper duration. Bill, however, was adverse to such an extreme measure as spending more money to beautify hair, even if it was on his head, and dismissed her advice. “Color highlights are in,” he said, trying to make a joke. “Next time, I’ll do a better job.” Linda was more interested in going hiking than worrying about what he looked like, so eventually she let the matter drop, although she avoided looking at him the rest of the day.
Since it was doubtful that Bill’s car could travel the distance to Bear Mountain and return, they went together in Linda’s car, and she drove. During most of the trip to the park, she entertained Bill by telling him what a piece of junk his automobile was and what kind of car he should buy. The best choice, she explained in detail, was the kind of car she was driving. Bill asked an occasional question, but mostly stared out the window, fearful that he would be walking uphill and downhill for hours.
He knew they would easily arrive in the park before eleven in the morning. She had wanted to come so early—it was the earliest time they had ever started a hike together—because she said she felt stressed. The strain of her relationship with Bill was probably the cause, but she didn’t say that, because she wasn’t the introspective type. She only said that she wanted to release the psychological pressure she felt through vigorous, extended exertion. That was all she was certain about. Acupuncture wasn’t going to cure a mind-body imbalance by itself, she knew. Bill didn’t share her philosophy of health. Although he was somewhat sad and depressed, even if he wouldn’t admit it to himself, hours of hiking were not going to make him feel better. On the contrary, it would exhaust him to the point where he could hardly move. He had agreed to come, however, because he wanted to mend the broken tie between them. In his innermost thoughts, he doubted that he was compatible with Linda, but he repressed those nuisance notions for now, since there was not another object for him to lavish his affection on at the moment.
Unless it started to rain, he was certain she would continue to punish him with her marathon march until at least five o’clock. Without rainfall, he knew he wouldn’t be able to convince her to go for a drive instead or have an early dinner. His power of persuasion over her was nonexistent. Since the rain had not yet appeared and might not at all, the closer they came to their destination, the more sluggish and despondent he grew, while she became more energetic and high-spirited.
When they arrived, Linda leaped out of the car and started stretching, while Bill unloaded a backpack and put it on. Filled with water bottles, food, bug repellent, a first aid kit, a blanket, and umbrellas, it was heavy and caused Bill to walk leaning forward to balance the weight. He willingly served as the beast of burden, because he thought that was the man’s role. But he hardly had a choice, because Linda would never offer to help.
In the sunlight of early summer, the natural beauty of Bear Mountain and the surrounding Hudson valley lands can fill the eyes and hearts of people of all ages with a comfort and deep solace that no city ever can. The majestic, wide Hudson River sparkles and surges onward, as if it were the source of life, nourishing the abundant trees and other plant life that press upon its shores. Even under a clouded sky, the area retains a somber, stirring magnificence. It is a vision of earthly glory in any weather, a sight to behold by anyone who can see.
But first a person must lift their eyes from the ground and look around to see the grandeur of the place. Bill trudged on the trail, weighed down by the backpack. He was always behind Linda with his eyes cast down at his feet, cringing inside with each step forward, and frequently glaring at the back of Linda. She marched ahead, vigorously swinging her arms, never looking back or talking to him.
For hours, they walked on with only brief stops