Something I was excited about upon our move to the Hudson Valley was our proximity to the local rail trail. When we bought the place we knew the trail was fairly close, but we didn’t realize there was an entrance a couple blocks from our home. It’s perfect and beautiful: it connects us to the center of town; it takes you all the way to the Hudson River walkway. I couldn’t be happier about it. Well, I could be happier. I’d be happier if my brain worked right.

My first few times walking the trail were uneventful. But during a recent walk I began to have that familiar, unnerving sensation that I get from open spaces. The trail is fairly wide and straight, and I started feeling like I do when I’m driving — the “I’m going to float up into space” feeling.