Jumping in the Ocean

I dreamt on Christmas night that I had started walking. I went to buy a map at a little store situated on a bend in the highway. Though I’ve only seen it on a map, I knew I was at the bend where the coast highway turns east near where I plan to start the trip — a beach on the Washington coast. I set my heavy backpack down outside the entrance and noticed I could see the ocean waves rolling up the beach. I was worried. I thought of all the miles ahead, knew I would be walking in the rain, that I might make a wrong turn, that I needed a good map, many good maps. I took one step into the dark little shop and glanced around, but instead of looking for the map,  I turned around and looked at the ocean through the doorway. Before I start this trip, I thought, I should walk back there and jump in the ocean.