I have these two adrenaline junkies for friends. They're the types who run marathons, encourage the competition of Iron Man contests, use the word "crampons" in normal conversation and probably have stock in energy bar companies. Not only that but they get high from exercise. Now, I tend to view this as a good thing to be getting high from - considering other options.
Anyways, one day adrenaline junkie one, adrenaline junkie two and myself decided to go hiking. Now, I'm not exactly the type to go around exercising five hours a day. However, I have been known to take a nice leisurely stroll along the water, on flat ground, whilst prattling away on my mobile phone device to one of my blood relations.
Back to the story of adrenaline junkies. They said "Hey let's hike dog mountain!" And I agreed that it was a supurb idea. What I didn't know was that it is an eight mile hike. I'm used to doing little hikes that terminate within two hours.
So we drove deep into the Gorge, crossed Bridge of the Gods and arrived in "the great state of Washington" to embark on an epic hike.
They put giant medical textbooks in their packs to make it more arduous. I armed myself with a small water bottle and nothing more and up we went. At the fork that said "more difficult" or "less difficult" they veered right and opted for the more difficult way (I had no choice in this important decision, so I just followed).
When I complained about being tired and when I begged and whined for a break, adrenaline junkie one said to me "You will get a nectarine when we get to the top" and we pressed on. Well, food usually motivates me, but it all seemed futile. And, I knew there was no convincing my adrenaline junkie friends to turn around, go back to the car and hit McDonald's on our way back to the metropolis. Nope, I was stuck on the tortuous hike.
We did finally make it to the to and my effort was compensated with a tasty nectarine (and a delicious peanut butter and jelly sandwich - which really hits the spot when one is hiking). The view was worth the effort, and thus I was inducted into the Adrenaline Junkie Official Club.
Like many things in life - it was a pleasant form of misery. So, two weeks later, I did a silly thing - I did the same tortuous hike yet again.
So, to all of you out there, don't be afraid is adrenaline junkies, because one day, you might find yourself mildly attracted to their edgy lifestyle. And before you know it, you will plod up a mountain, by your own free will.
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