Chapter 8: In which she receives a tram.

on a mission

I am very happy to wake up in Stanimals. It was just what I needed. The people are very kind and friendly, and today I got the rest I needed to cover many kilometers. And I’m doing some miles, because I’m chasing a possible tram!

At Green Dragon a few days ago I met nice people. Forrest was there (I met him in Above the Clouds), a woman called Laura and a couple, Miranda and Gold Bond. But they were heading towards a gap further north than me and I have been behind them for some days.

We had a lot of fun together in Hiawassee. They are great people. And I want to reach them. Until now people are 15 years or more older than me, or 15 years younger. But they’re about my age, my temperament, and they’re really nice people.

Now, with my longest day yesterday, I have a chance to catch up with them, if I can make a bigger day today too.

They let me know that they are going to Standing Indian today. That’s 11 miles from here. And right now, that’s a big day for me, especially with the pack full. But I can do it, I know I can. Especially since the reward could simply be some new friends.

So, I’m anxious and feeling strong when I’m dropped off at Blue Ridge Gap after a bumpy ride down a dirt road. The sun is shining and it is hot. And I walk. It’s amazing how much energy I get when I’m on a mission.

Leaving Georgia!

As I go, I realize that this is also the day I cross my first state border. And as I make my way to the wooden sign marking the GA/NC border, I stop to take a photo. Then North Carolina welcomes me with a huge uphill slope!

While I can’t say that the miles fly by as I walk, at least they flow quickly. Will I be able to catch up? Will I be welcome to the group? Did I just imagine we were starting to become friends? As I continue forward, my doubts begin to appear. Am I wrong to try to push for them today? I have sent a message to Laura, but she has not responded. I text my concerns to Forrest:

«They haven’t messaged me so they might not want to date me 🤷‍♀️»

An agonizing half hour after the response arrives:

“They don’t know you’re there. They love you to death. “We were trying to wait for you.”

Isn’t it funny how all your insecurities are amplified along the way? And by funny I mean horrible. One of mine is to try to get me included somewhere where they don’t want me. So when Forrest’s message arrives, I start to smile. I’m just being silly. This is going to be great.

An unexpectedly long walk

A few hours later I arrived, very tired, at the Standing Indian Shelter. There’s no one here. I know they were planning on stealth camping, so I walk around for a while looking for them. I find some nice campsites. But no one. Have they gone and gone further today? Ah well, what to do?

But then, a message finally arrives from Laura. They are not in the shelter, but on the top of the mountain. They say there are probably good places for my hammock and they will spend the night there, watching the sunset from the top of the mountain.

I’m exhausted and my feet hurt. I reluctantly pick up my phone and look at Far Out. There are 1.5 miles left to reach them and almost 1000 feet of climbing. For a moment I just want to stay at the shelter and maybe reach them tomorrow. But then I realize it will probably be worth it. Maybe there’s a view waiting for me up there. Maybe there will be new friends. Maybe it’s amazing.

I keep pushing until the last stretch. It’s easier than I thought and I soon see an incredible view as I approach the top of the mountain. A while later, I reach the top of the mountain and someone shouts «Penguin! You did it!»

Indian mountain standing

This has been a great day, I think as I eat dinner. My hammock is set up just a few feet from the top where we are sitting. Lihat juga ctyq. The views are incredible and we can see for miles and miles as the sun sets in front of us. We talked and laughed. And all is well in the world.

As the sun sets, Miranda asks no one in particular, “Is this real?”

I’m not sure it is. But I really hope so. I am happy.

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