The Idiot’s idea of a normal walk is an oft-challenging 20-mile-a-day trek on the Mediterranean Sea through intriguing countries and enchanting countryside. High-octane, non-stop MedTrekking is delightfully unpredictable, serendipitous and exciting.

Short, slow walks in the intense Northern California pre-dawn, post-dusk summer heat during gradual recovery from spinal surgery is just the opposite. Sometimes-painful fifteen-minute rehab outings two weeks after a lumbar laminotomy take him less than a mile on familiar urban streets and trails.

But The Idiot has been practicing post-op patience, appreciating each step and reaping the physical, psychological and visual benefits of his local environment. Things that might have been irritating or unimportant are now welcome distractions due to a lack of time constraints.

For example, The Idiot was actually pleased to find a long line at the Redding Post Office and have the opportunity to spend ten minutes reading his mail while waiting to buy stamps honoring Shirley Temple, who he met in Ghana in 1975 when she was US Ambassador and he was a foreign correspondent. He also made other customers laugh when he showed them a get well card.

Patiently standing in line at the U.S. Post Office in Redding, CA, to buy some Shirley Temple stamps.

This get well card got everyone laughing during a wait in line at the P.O.

During a stroll on the Sacramento River, he stopped frequently to admire the Sundial Bridge from various vantage points and even demonstrated his skills on the guitar at the “Rock U” exhibit at the Turtle Bay Museum.

The Idiot stopped to admire Redding’s iconic Sundial Bridge while walking along the Sacramento River.

The Idiot took more photographs of the Sundial Bridge during one post-op stroll than he had during the seven years he’s been in Redding, CA.

Dropping into the Turtle Bay Museum to play a plastic guitar.

During walks in his hillside neighborhood, he admired a conveniently close hospital, investigated an abandoned home, and mused that some urban inclines were now more trying than climbing to the summit of Mount Olympus in Greece.

Although The Idiot had surgery at the Stanford Medical Center, it never hurts to have a hospital on his doorstep.

Like any kid taking a walk in the hood, The Idiot explored an abandoned home.

A slight incline near The Idiot’s home was more challenging in early rehab than a climb to the summit of Mount Olympus in Greece.

Naturally he obtained an insight into his neighbors social, political and economic activities.

The Idiot learned about the annual block party while making a loop walk around Skyline Drive.

It was clear who one neighbor was supporting in the June 7 primary election.

A hillside lot with a view in downtown Redding is going for only $60,000.

What’s next?

Gradually walking beyond his hood to other parts of town.

Looking beyond his neighborhood.
(Photo: Lesle Curfman)

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About Joel

Joel Stratte-McClure has been a global trekker since the 1970s. He lived in France for over 30 years, working as a journalist, before he turned his attention to a unique life-time-project of walking the shores of the Mediterranean. The first 4,401 kilometers are explored in his inspirational and entertaining first book "The Idiot and the Odyssey: Walking the Mediterranean." The next 4,401 kilometers are covered in the gods-filled sequel, "The Idiot and the Odyssey II: Myth, Madness and Magic on the Mediterranean,” published on Valentine's Day 2013. The last 4,401 kilometers will be discussed in the last book of the trilogy currently entitled "The Idiot and the Odyssey III: Alexander the Great Walks the Mediterranean."