“20 miles per day, rain or shine.”
This was my intention before I began the Walk. While the intention itself is doable, practical, on-the-road experience has led me to modify so many of those original, pre-walk intentions. Not only did my Golden Gate decision to peel away the 20-mile per day ideal end up being by far the best decision I made since beginning the Walk itself, allowing me to truly experience and enjoy the pilgrimage, I’ve also fine-tuned the Walk in a variety of other ways across the miles.
One of these “fine-tunings” involves walking in the rain.
Born and raised in America’s Pacific Northwest, where it rains for over half the year, I’m certainly no stranger to showers from the sky. I’m definitely not a rain hater either. When it comes to walking long miles in the rain, however, on-the-road experience has taught me that rainy days can present multiple complications, including:
1) Walking in the rain can be dangerous.
Drivers don’t see as well on rainy days as they do in dry weather. Most especially on rural roads where pedestrians or bicyclists are rarely (if ever) to be found– often amid hills, curves, and narrow roads– unexpected pedestrians on high-speed rural roads can be hazardous for both the walker and the driver. The pavement of course becomes slippery when wet, and after several days without rain, roads become more slippery after that first shower. Unfortunately, even in bright, sunny weather, so many of America’s connecting highways are often dangerous to walk. Therefore, wet, hazy, slippery weather make the roadside risk far less attractive.
2) Maneuvering in the rain is more difficult.
Especially given that I’m traveling with a lot of stuff now, in addition to the heavy showers that often typify precipitation in America’s Deep South, getting through countless puddles, mud, and other obstacles that rain presents makes such days less desirable. Also, I have to tie sheets of plastic down over my belongings, to waterproof them. This generally means that I don’t get to take much of (if any) photos or videos; I don’t have quick & easy access to my food, etc. None of these are “show stoppers”; however, they all are “show slowers.”
3) After a few miles in the cool rain, my glasses fog over!
I didn’t notice this till I began the pilgrimage, and given how near-sighted I am, I don’t like the idea of trying to walk without glasses.
Beyond what I’ve stated above, I should add that since I check the weather forecast daily, it makes no sense to walk on the one or two days of rain when the longer-term forecast looks much more shiny and promising. If it’s going to be raining for the next ten days, and I’d planned to walk 100 miles within those ten days (just as I’d like to reach Greenville by Oct. 10th), then the rain may slow me, but barring major storms, it won’t stop me. However, this week’s forecast for the hundred miles between Athens and Greenville calls for mostly moderate, rain-free weather. So, as the week begins with rain, I’ll remain in Athens till the rains subside (another 24-48 hours), and be ready to hit the road to Danielsville once the skies start drying up.
Especially amid warm invitations– my current scenario in Athens– extra “down time” can always be used to spend more time with hosts and their community, to catch up on communications and web-related work, and so much more.
Despite having hoped to progress east of Athens today, I may not accumulate many (or any) miles for the day– but as there are so many options for other useful ways to spend the day, I’ll definitely still make it to bed tonight with a smile of satisfaction on my face.
