On the Invincible-Making Properties of DayQuil - A Review

I like the way a garden makes people quiet. I think that it makes my tendency toward silence feel socially acceptable. It also helps me remember that everyone is as in their head as I am. And that this whole conciousness thing isn't just some mistake.

I think I also like the way gardens make people look. Like how my silent partner on the bench next to me has this instense twisted introspective look on their face. Others have this look of teeth gritting determination,  like they're adventurously conquering some unknown territory. Then there's the look of pure wonder. That one's my favorite. 

I woke up this morning with a fever and a headache that put me on the floor. After my bouts with sickness, a common cold has been enough to take me out of commission lately. 

I spent 15 minutes on the dank cold floor of that basement apartment. The cool concrete slowed the sweating and reminded me how it feels to be alive. 

I eventually dragged myself to the shower. I was dizzy. Confused. And dehydrated. 

My body felt like a statue. Moving was pain. 

I kept the lights off as I dried and dressed. Four cups of water later and some familial pep talks I mustered the strength to head south, the fastest way out of the suburbs. I figured I'd quickly find a CVS or something. Somewhere that sold cold medicine. 

Half a mile later I stumbled into a shell station and bought a ten pack of DayQuil. 

Feeling invincible and thoroughly hydrated I walked west across a cool looking bridge and toward the Japanese gardens a barista bragged about. It was in the same park (Washington Park) as the zoo, which was part of my plans for the day. 

Before I made it to the gardens I was captured by the park's beauty and it's lazily winding switchback trails. 

Whatever my plans were for the day, they changed. 

Wildwood trail is 30 miles. The aboretum is 12 miles. 6 of which are shared by the trail. 6 miles of the trail are closed currently. 

Within the park there is the Zoo, the Rose Test Garden, the Pittock mansion, the aboretum and the Japanese Garden. You can get to all of these by shuttle. Or you could hike.

One sudden rainstorm and a 36+ mile hike later, I was heading home. The zoo closed early and it was the only part of the park I didn't see. 

Exhausted and feeling as if the medicine was wearing off. I curled up in the back of an Uber and half participated in a conversation about wood working with my driver.

After a nap, a late dinner with family friends, and another ride home. I passed out from exhaustion in my bed.

Now I'm in a coffee shop. Writing about yesterday. Looking forward to the rest of today's adventures. 

Thanks for reading, and have a great week.

-Connor