Therese Marie

10pm feels like midnight.

I guess this is what they call “Hiker Midnight.” (cool new term I learned out here) The wind is roaring, I mean ROARING through the sky. It sounds like there could be a hundred people outside my tent.

This weary traveler could not stand to walk anymore. No, not after summiting Blood Mountain. Wow what a walk today. So many miles.

And yet, after a hasty meal, and succumbing to the ever-present fear of deadfalls or widowmakers, Jake and I sit squished in the same tent playing the poem game with a head lamp propped up and flickering in a ceiling pocket. I can’t help thinking that this is the life. This is truly living. Hiding in a cramped tent with a new friend, playing games to pass the time, checking to make sure the coals are extinguished so we don’t accidentally start a forest fire, alone in the woods.

Hah, you’re not here to experience this, but, I got very distracted because a gust came through that felt as though it might uproot my tent. Despite our fear of dying, we can’t share a tent. Tonight shall be interesting indeed!

Even after a night like this, I know I’ll wake up excited to be surrounded by trees.

During the day, the mountains of Georgia look endless and misty blue. You can’t tell where you’ve been and you can barely figure out where you’re going. You have no idea where Springer Mt is anymore. It’s just…all…

And then, as the sun sets, you can watch little lights appear in the mountains.

Like stars appearing in the sky, except little porch or street lights peppered throughout the mountains. Civilization becomes a dotted backdrop to the now deep, dark mountains in your view. It’s shocking, because you can’t see ANY hint of buildings or civilized life in the day time. It’s beautiful. Expansive.

God I have so much more to tell y’all. But, sleep beckons me and battery life must be cherished sparingly.

For now, we bunker down in the woods. In three days, it’s off to Hiawassee!

XoTM