If it's Tuesday it must be West Pawlet ...

Every Tuesday afternoon two or more of us meet up to walk (or walk-run) 3 or 4 miles. This has been going on since, oh, late last Spring. So Monday night when I asked my 21 1/2 year old daughter, Kate, if she wanted to join me and my group for a walk Tuesday afternoon I was nonplussed when she replied, "I don't really like walking over there. Can't we just go to Manchester?"
I was thrown for a loop. "I always walk in West Pawlet on Tuesday afternoons!" I replied. "But I'm leaving for New York this week," she countered. "Yes, I know!" Silence. Hmmmm. "Well, okay. But you have to commit to going with me. I have to walk Tuesday afternoon," I challenged. "I'll commit," she promised. Deal.
I went to school Tuesday morning knowing I would not be going with my usual Dutchies walking buddies, Patty and Joanne. I found Patty at school and gave her the news. "What?" she exclaimed with a look of surprise. I explained. She understood. But I felt my whole day was "off" just knowing I wasn't going to be showing up at Dutchies.
Right at the end of the school day I saw Patty again. I wished her a good walk and to keep track of the next meet-up (which should be Thursday).
I left school and I was encouraged upon arriving home to find Kate already dressed to leave. I changed quickly and we left for Manchester. Now Kate thought we'd be able to use the rec center's walking path (a one-mile loop). I had my doubts, but I figured I would not be negative and that we'd check it out upon arrival.
After picking up my other daughter, Sarah, from her high school I drove to the rec. It became immediately apparent that there was way too much snow for walking.
Now what? "We could do a 3-mile loop around the sidewalks of Manchester," I suggestd. Kate countered with the idea of going on the road used for the local VT-NH Race for the Cure 5K event. Fine. But I am immediately wondering if I can park off the road itself. Will any of Hildene Meadows be plowed?
I am pleasantly surprised to find a nice swath has been plowed. I park. I leave keys for the radio with Sarah. Kate and I depart on foot.
It is around 3:45 and the 3 miles should take about 45 minutes. There's not much traffic and the route is pretty. The late afternoon light lingers. A bit of sunshine remains and the hillsides display a new dusting of snow. It is a different experience than the crowded July fund-raising walk. It is different from being with the gals on the West Pawlet route. But it is 3 miles of uninterrupted time with my daughter who is leaving after 4 months here in Vermont to return to school in NYC.
The 45 minutes goes by quickly. It is time well-shared. And I can't help wondering why we didn't walk together more often? Oh yeah, I walk in West Pawlet every Tuesday afternoon.
I love you Kate. Walk many miles for me in New York and we'll have a walking date down there soon!