On a recent family hike, we tried out a new trail. Winding four miles through forests of Douglas firs, oaks, and ponderosa pines, it switchbacked, climbed, descended, and wove through verdant vistas. Not all in the party were enthralled by the natural splendor, and I had to contend with complaints that the “walk” was too strenuous. Were there flat trails with some beauty around? Sure. Those rarely afforded the views that our climbing earned us. The parallels to classes, our students’ attitudes, and teaching dogged me the entire trip.
