I made plans to go for a walk with a friend yesterday, as I figured it was a safe COVID-friendly method of socializing, and I have been craving both exercise and catching up with her. Thankfully, it was an absolutely beautiful day for a walk. I had suggested we try the Danvers Rail Trail, which I drive by often but have never tried. I looked up a map online to plan parking and get an idea of the route options, and noticed an area called the "Swamp Walk" (interestingly there is also a mechanic in Magic the Gathering called "Swampwalk" 😀). I assumed that a "Swamp Walk" would entail getting messy and muddy and walking through a swamp, so I made a mental note to make sure not to take that direction. After we parked and walked to the rail trail entrance, she let me choose which direction to take, Left or Right. I knew that the path to the left would lead to the Swamp Walk, so I decided we NOT take that route, and instead take the route to the right towards downtown Danvers.
After an absolutely delightful 2 hours of walking and talking (some highlights: 2 backyard chickens on the trail, very friendly passersby (mostly masked and responsible), some amazing mushrooms growing out of the remains of birch trees, gorgeous elephant tree growths, a peace pole, an old bell from the 1800s, and enlightening conversation about our "zones of genius"), we made it back to the path that would take us back to our cars (where I had originally decided to take a right). But we both wanted to keep going, so we did, and went in the direction where left would have led us, which I knew meant right into the swamp walk. But I thought, what the hell, if we get to an area of murkiness where I didn't feel comfortable, it would be super easy to bail and turn back since we had been out so long already!
As we walked in the new direction, the scenery became just absolutely gorgeous. I was delighted by the colors of the sky, this deep dark gray highlighted by super bright cerulean blue. We were definitely entering a marshy area, lots of dead trees that are evidence of beaver activity (and those trees looked the prettiest against the potentially threatening colors of the sky.) Then we arrived at the "Swamp Walk." I was shocked and amazed and delighted-- the "Swamp Walk" is an immaculately kept boardwalk atop of a beautiful swamp. It was the exact opposite of what I had assumed and expected. And it was my absolute favorite part of the whole walk. There are decks and overlooks with benches that would be just delightful to spend a warmer afternoon reading. The energy and vibe of the place was so different than the rest of the walk. I really felt immersed in nature and enamored by its beauty. And just as we were leaving, the ominous looking sky released a bit of frozen rain (teeny tiny little hail balls). It was the perfect ending to a delightful walk. We hope to make a point of taking walks together every other week, which will be so good for my body, mind, and soul.
It is just so interesting for me to look back on my totally incorrect assumptions of what the "Swamp Walk" would be like. I almost missed out of what turned out to be the most delightful part of the Rail Trail, because of my fear, hesitation, and misconceptions. I'm so glad we went in the direction that I actively avoided, and it turned out infinitely better than expected. And if that isn't a life lesson, I don't know what is!
With delight,
♥Jamie
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