Tackling the Steps

Stared down a steep flight of grey limestone steps curling toward the river. High incline. Tough rhythm. Shifted the string pack with my date higher onto my back and dug my paw into the first riser. Grunt. One step. Two steps. Halfway up, a stray oak twig barred the climb. Planted both feet, shoved the bark aside with my forearm, and powered up to the crest. Breath came hard, but the legs held fine. Scoped out a shaded stone balustrade at the top, leaned my back against the cool rock, and unknotted the snack. Solid climb. Pace logged.