Scott POWELL LEDGER STAFF WRITER Imagine being marooned on a deserted island with only the luggage packed for a cross-country trip.

This scenario has led to my latest addiction. After this Monday’s school board meeting, I unwound at home by following the adventures of 48 survivors from a plane crash on a mysterious island.

Of course, I’m talking about the “Lost” television series. I purchased the first season on DVD this past weekend and have been eagerly anticipating the latest twists in this time travel mystery.

My interest in the show is heightened by the prominent role of Diamond Head on Oahu in the Hawaiian Islands. Fans of “Lost” will recognize this landmark as the black mountain featured in the show.

My parents and I hiked to the top of Diamond Head last November during a 10-day vacation in Hawaii. The rigorous 0.75-mile hike to the top is a great way to see whether you are in decent physical shape.

Although not a long distance, the unpaved trail to Diamond Head winds along uneven rocks in a canyon and goes up 74 steps. The most difficult part of the hike involves climbing 99 steps to a tunnel.

The tunnel has been carved in between two mountain faces. There is not enough room for two people to pass so you must wait your turn if someone’s already on the steps.

After reaching the tunnel, there are a couple of spiral staircases to reach the access point once used for a World War II encampment. You walk across a narrow trail to a lookout point which offers a spectacular view of Honolulu.

I was quite tired when the hike finally ended. Although it is less than a mile, the physically demanding trail felt like a much longer distance.

The fact I would get tired from a short hike is a symptom of the many hours spent at a computer writing and sitting in meetings listening to others talk.

The life of a journalist can be a sedentary business at times. It has been years since I have watched a regular television series.

I have not had cable television since 2005. I gave it up due to financial reasons and a lack of time at home.

During the school year, I am rarely home to do anything beyond taking a shower and going to bed. I am often working at night when popular shows are on television.

Thank goodness for DVD players.

I am seeing the “Lost” television series for the first time just days after the final season was released on DVD on Aug. 24. I have enjoyed delving into the psychology issues with the “Lost” characters as they confront the challenges of being stranded on an island with strangers.

I wonder what these castaways would have brought with them if they knew a plane crash was going to leave them on a Pacific Island. With 48 survivors, how come the show seems to only focus on 10 people?

Faith, reason, destiny, free will and abandonment are among the issues which have made the show ripe for discussions in psychology classes. As an addictive personality, I am sure I will be doing additional reading on the series if I do become a fan of the “Lost” series.

It’s simply a diversion right now before I get ensnared in other obsessions like college football, social media and planning my next escape to another travel destination.

The only downside to my “Lost” island experience is it’s giving me strange dreams and causing me to wake up too early.

I need to find an escape hatch.

Scott Powell (spowell@gaffneyledger.com) covers education issues for The Gaffney Ledger.