Chapter 18: In which the Vikings conquer Nemo Island

I’m currently sitting on the top bunk of the small cabin I share with Swift, reflecting on the past few days. My clothes smell like a bonfire and my stomach hurts a little from having eaten more ribs than I’ve ever eaten in my entire life.

It’s funny how quickly things change here. Just two days ago I was going through a really difficult time. But just a few hours later I was having the best time I’ve had in a long time.

What changed? Aquablazing! And Doodles, Nemo and CheckMate. And fast.

In my last post yesterday, I had just received a pep talk from Doodles and GoodVibes. And not long after, Sunshine (who works at Boots Off Hotel) came out of the office and happily announced that the wind and weather were in our favor, and Aquablazing was on!

To my surprise, Nemo and CheckMate had also signed up after I tried to persuade everyone to join me (it’s hard not having a tram anymore). So the three of us set off with Jim (from Boots Off) towards the lake after a brief introduction and instruction session.

I admit, I was pretty nervous at first because I had never kayaked before! And this was going to be a full day 10 mile trip! Will I be physically able to do it? What if you had to quit smoking on the go? What if the boys out-quilted me?

But in the end, as often happens, my worrying was a complete waste of time and mind/space. Aquablaze is the best experience I’ve had at AT so far. It was simply epic!

10 hours before – To the lake!

When we first start rowing, it is very difficult. I do my best to maneuver around the lake (which is nice and calm), but it seems like no matter what I do, the kayak goes in the direction it wants. Mostly to the right. I try to lean slightly. I try to row only on the left side. I try to get angry and yell at the water. It was in vain. Well, paddling only on the left side helps a little. But then I overdo it and end up turning left for a while.

«Hey, Penguin,» I heard Nemo shout behind me, «If you keep paddling in a zigzag, you could row 15 miles today instead of 10!»

I turn and glare at him. And then I use an expression that would make my mom blush. He laughs out loud. At that moment I know we will become friends.

Nemo is one of the hikers I’ve seen on and off for quite some time now. I met him for the first time after my 24 mile day in the smokies. He’s also Norwegian, so of course I’ve been avoiding him as much as I can. I’m not sure the AT has room for two Norwegians, and I’m sure one of us would have to give in at some point. Better not to get too familiar with the enemy. But then I found him again in Hot Springs. And then on Erwin. And then in a shelter before Boots Off. And now we were spending the day together at Lake Watagua.

The same goes for CheckMate. I first met him in Franklin, where we were at a bar with a group of other hikers. And I’ve seen him on and off ever since. But today it joins the aquablaze. He is from the Czech Republic and at first I admit it was a little difficult to understand him due to his accent and more limited English vocabulary. But the man has already mastered it! And I’m very glad that’s the case, because he’s one of the funniest people I’ve ever met in my life. And now I can spend the day adventuring with him!

The European fleet

We headed towards the lake, with our first objective in mind: not far away there is a marina where they sell cold drinks and potentially ice cream! As CheckMate and I weave behind Even (who has clearly kayaked before), we make our way along the coast. I’m quickly becoming chief navigator. Both because I’m pretty adept at reading a map, but mostly because I was the only one with enough common sense to take a photo of the map that marks all the side quests on the lake. Nemo leads the way, and CheckMate has taken it upon itself to ensure that no patch of water is left unpaddled as he weaves even further than I do.

But you should never underestimate two Norwegians and a Czech, because we arrived at the marina on time. I bought myself a Dr. Pepper (I never tried one before coming to the US, they’re delicious!) and a Gatorade for the trip. Followed by expensive and slightly disgusting ice cream. The boys buy beer. I look at them with my sternest aunt look, while I make them swear not to get so drunk that they can’t row. They promise, then open the cans and cheer me for being their designated paddler for the day. I roll my eyes slightly as we head back into the water, ready to conquer the island we were told would be nice for lunch.

The conquest of Nemo Island

As we approach the island, we make a plan. Since today we are clearly a Viking raiding party, our duty will be to conquer the island. We scream and CheckMate blows his imaginary war horn. We then accelerated and zigzagged at a slightly faster speed towards the island.

«What’s that?!» Nemo suddenly shouts as the island comes into view in more detail.

«That?» asked

“Is that a flag?!” He screams. I look towards the island, squinting. «That’s a flag!» I answer.

“Not just any flag!” He replies: «That’s a Norwegian flag!» I squint again. You are right. That’s a Norwegian flag!

«Wait, our people have already claimed this island?» I ask in complete bewilderment.

“We must investigate!” He says before paddling even faster.

Indeed, the land has already been reclaimed. By a group of great Americans of Norwegian and Finnish descent. And they have brought their flags to decorate the camp. They have pitched their tents next to the small beach and there is a bonfire lit. Nemo, being Nemo, immediately invites himself to the party. And to Nemo, who is still Nemo, the Americans wish him a warm welcome. It’s so much fun!

We posed next to flags, told stories to Americans, and were shocked to learn that they all carry guns. In Norway that would never happen. It’s a good thing we didn’t have to fight them for island supremacy. We may be wild, but we are not bulletproof. They tell us about their adventures going camping and kayaking in a group. They really are quite nice and fun people. While CheckMate and Nemo share a beer with them, I go swimming in the lake. The water is cool, but refreshing. I miss swimming and love the feeling of fighting the waves as I leave the shore.

But, as with all good things, our visit to the island must come to an end. As the designated rower, I am in charge of strictly ordering the guys back to their boats, and they quickly respond with «Yes, yes, Captain!»

Floating Trail Magic

“Magic trail!” I scream when I see the blue wrapper floating in front of me on the lake. I accelerate, but not before Nemo responds from ahead and to the left «Trail Magic? I’ll race with you!» He shouts as he speeds up too. I push and push and push my kayak forward as I try to make it faster and faster. Him too. And we’re good at that too. Unfortunately. Because, when I reach out my hand to grab the blue package, he’s only a foot away. Neither of us has time to slow down before he crashes into me and his kayak gets stuck on top of mine.

I laugh out loud as I proudly show off my prize: a package of ship o/hoy cookies. Still dry in their packaging. I open it proudly and then take a cookie before handing another to Nemo as a constellation prize. We chew on them as we ponder how to get out of our double-decker kayak situation.

The cookies taste terrible. I chew it a few times, before grimacing and spitting it out.

«Ugh, that’s the worst trail magic ever!» Nemo exclaims as I turn the wrapper over, looking at the expiration date. «Oh, yes. No wonder. They expired more than half a year ago!» -I say looking at him apologetically. Then he laughs again and somehow we manage to separate the kayaks.

All good things must come and end

Now, I hope this snapshot of our lake adventures gives you an idea of ​​how wonderful this day was. And I could have continued. Maybe I should have told you about the dead unicorn in the cave? Or the rain that soaked us? Or our loud cries of freedom and joy? Or maybe the floating chair we found? Or my first time at a Philly Cheesesteak?

But I’m afraid I don’t have any more time to write for today. What I have already said will have to suffice.

The good thing, however, is that I might write a book after this whole adventure. Then I will have plenty of space and time to tell you all the details.

But for now I’ll sleep. It’s really amazing how a day on a lake can change things. I’m definitely not going to be a purist on this path. Not if it means not having days like this!