Me Vs Tree
Miles 16.2
Writing this right now in my campsite that has no signal. AT&T has already exceeded my expectations so I’m not too upset. I knew this would happen now and then and I’ll upload it tomorrow.
Last night it rained so hard and gusted up to 40 mph. I always check my tent site for “widow makers” large dead branches that look like they could end up smashing your tent and you within it. Well… at like 2AM I hear a large crash sound right on top of me and wake up in a flash. I literally thought… “Am I dead?” for a long moment. It was minus 40 degrees outside and raining so I quickly made sure there was no leaks then couldn’t fall back to sleep. Every gust I just clutched my little Mudkip thinking that could be it. Sorry things get dramatic at night sometimes. Somehow the dense branch was super smash bros spot dodged and only cut up my vestibule area. I’m not super religious but thanks religious people for praying for me lol sorry to be dramatic. Then I couldn’t get my bear hang down because my hands were so cold so I cut the line forgetting that it would essentially decapitate my bear bag which stores my food and waterproofs it… Luckily this campsite has a bearbox. Despite the rough morning the trail was beautiful and had gradual ups and downs. The freezing morning air turned into a perfect hiking temperature. The gang and I decided to hike more today so that tomorrow we can get an Air BnB in Franklin NC and sleep in a real bed!!! And eat real food other than gushers, peanut butter, and tortillas (half joking). Hiked with a dude who was in the military and we shared a lot of the same views on life and stuff. He talked about blowing stuff up and how cool it was. He also carries a Lego minifigure of his son and takes cool pics with it. One is stabbing a (already dead) centipede with a sword. Modelo is a day behind us. He will catch up soon I feel like. Everyone is getting really kuumbaiyaa with each other in “the gang” or whatever so that’s fun. It’s a real good group and we enjoy the time we have together. The dynamic is pretty legendary. It’s not great to dwell on if we will always stay a gang. Some of us will take zero days like Modelo. Some of us might need to go home. Some of us will get faster or slower. But what is great to dwell on is the moment! Okay bed time for me! Double trouble post tomorrow I guess haha O_O
(I typed this yesterday currently at a lookout tower 100 miles in the trail!)