ODE TO MY HIKING BOOTS
It has always felt a bit silly to browse outdoor sporting goods stores, with their long, well-lit aisles filled to the brim with man-made garments and objects designed to conquer the natural world. Large posters ornament the walls and show off strong men and women as they kayak raging rivers or cycle towards orange sunsets. The air-conditioning pumps to an optimal temperature in these monumental facilities. Segmented by Romanesque columns, the stores are perfect grids—a testament to the ancient architecture of yore. It is an affront to
