Grid Crossing

I left the bicycle post behind and followed the curb slope straight down to the pedestrian ramp. Embedded in the concrete was a bright yellow tactile paving slab, lined with neat rows of raised rubber domes. I didn't walk around it. I stepped up, planting my left boot dead center on the first rounded stud. The grip was solid. Arms steady, I paced across the field of domes, stepping precisely from crown to crown without letting my soles touch the recessed concrete below. Eight clean strides, zero slips. Balanced, grounded, and fully in control of the crossing.