I think the problem was not that he went hiking, but that he took without notifying the proper people, arranging for delegation of authority, etc.--something that would get most of us fired from our jobs. Not any more for me (retirement is wonderful!), but if I'd done that while working, I'd have been jobless when I returned.
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May your trails be crooked, winding, lonesome, dangerous, leading to the most amazing view--E. Abbey