I don't know what made me do it. I haven't done it in 20 years but 26 hours into my 65th year I resolved that I am not that old so after topping off the tank with a Persidente at Corsairs I hoisted my backpack and declared to Vennie that I was going to walk over THE HILL. The first 200 yards up the hill I was brimming with confidence. The second 200 yards I was closely studying the asphalt afraid to look up at the top. After a short stop to take in the beautiful view of Great Harbor I looked up and realized that I might just make it.
Over the crest and down the hill with wings on my feet to Ivan's and another Presidente. Sharonqueen offered me nourishment in the form of a slice of Corsair's pizza which arrived shortly after me. Devoured it with relish before realizing that had I waited another 10 minutes I could have hitched a ride over THE HILL.
Over the rocks and along the beach to Seddy's where, after one glance at my condition, Raquel immediately started mixing up a double bushwhacker. After a short rest in my big chair and a shot of birthday tequila I was off for the return trip. A short walk to the intersection and I was faced with a dilemma. To the right, the short level road to the Soggy Dollar. To the left, THE HILL. Decisions, decisions. Remembering the great philosipher, Yogi Berra, resolve won out and I resumed my study of Jost Van Dyke's asphalt paving.
The crest looked closer this time but it was an illusion. Just enough flat road for my legs to recover before THE HILL resumed. After a short rest admiring the view of White Bay in the shade of a large ficus tree I began the last challenge.
As I stood at the last crest, with Great Harbor before me, White Bay at my back and Tortola and St. Thomas in the distance, a taxi pulls up offering a ride. I began to remember my basic physics. I have just stored up a whole lot of potential energy. No way was I going to pay to waste it all in his brake pads so off I went down to Corsair's and another Presidente.
Maybe I am not as old as the years say. But that Hill has sure gotten a lot higher in the last 20 years. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/jester.gif" alt="" />
