Fireworks in Wonderland

Typing, deleting, thinking, just staring….

Many times today I have attempted to write this next blog. I have met so many people within these past couple days. Instant friends. Within just spending five minutes on trail, we start discussing deep thoughts and personal feelings. 

One of the first things that come to mind is my name, Chia. Healer, a kind, warm, welcoming, and gentle soul who I met just yesterday has taught me so much within such a short period of time. For example, the Inca people considered Chia Seeds to be an extremely important trading item, due to the worth. During their long journeys they would eat handfuls of chia seeds, which gave them the nutrients to keep going. The BEST fact I learned, is that Chia translates to STRENGTH. Long story short…I love my trail name, but even more now because it means strength. So psyched!!!

Life on trial has been pretty wild when it comes to community and relationships with fellow hikers. My journey hiking solo is so lovely, for the fact that I am on my own schedule and don’t have to worry about or consider anyone else’s pace or time frame. Due to this independence and flexibility, I have been meeting so many lovely people. I started off hiking with a fantastic group my first week on trail. Once I felt strong and capable of hiking more than 10 miles per day, I found myself transitioning to another group of hikers. From this moment, I was with a lovely women from Germany, known as Nature. We hiked together for two days, hitching a lift into Hiawassee, GA together…safety first! After an extremely rushed day hiking 11 miles before 1 pm, eating at an all you can eat (and you all thought I had a tapeworm before I left for the trail…HA!), stopping at the post, market, and library to catch a lift back to trail to hike a mile to set up camp and eat all before sunset. The day worked beautifully, but this is something that I will try not to re-attempt again. I am on this trail to hike my own hike and experience life at the speed at which I set. Yesterday, I once again split from my quickly developed hiking family, to hike my own speed…leading toa 16 mile day. 

Yesterday was a beautiful turning point, after entering North Carolina 🙂 then instantly connecting with some truly amazing people…my friend Healer, Brother Blood, then a lovely young women; Pebbles. Pebbles is hiking the trail solo AND just had her sweet sixteenth birthday today on trail. Talk about inspiring!!!

Last night was a highlight so far. I camped in the woods (something not so common for me with staying near shelters) with Pebbles and Healer enjoying an amazing fire and beautiful and enlightening conversations. The night lead into me heading to bed and falling asleep shortly after writing in little green aka my diary, waking up to down pouring rain, thunder and lighting. As many of my loved ones know, I LOVE extreme weather, especially while camping out in it. What a beautiful thing to experience…the intesity of the natural happenings of this world. The core at which I’m on trail is to experience the beauty and diversity of the world I am a part of. Last night was my first experience connecting reality to these feelings and it sure won’t be the last. 

My last thought before laying in this lovely bed…

Today’s hiking was amazing, so amazing that I unfortunately don’t have the vocabulary to express what I experienced. The summit hiked, Albert Mountain (reaching 5250ft, with some rock scramble near the top) was breathtaking. The moment that touched me the most was about 5 min before summiting. The lookout had a perfect rock formation that was meant to hold up my relaxed body. Sitting down, eating nuts, drinking water, watching the clouds race by.  I felt at peace. At home. One with the world around me. How is it that this goes on during every minute of every day, but if we are lucky, the ones that put ourselves through the physical challenge are only able to observe, enjoy, and become a part of the beauty for such a short period of time? The reason hiking is so important to me: to experience the intense and extreme beauty the takes your breath away. 

After getting up, which was a challenge in itself since I could have stayed there all day, I hiked through what reminded me only of wonderland. I was Alice or maybe the Mad Hatter. Traveling a world of mystery and discovery. Green leaves and spiraling branches overlapped one another to create a tunnel of enchantment. 

This journey has been amazing. The people I’ve met so far have been life changing. The experiences Mother Nature has been laying out for me as been nothing but beautiful. Sure, I haves aches and pains. Have I been pushing myself too hard, too fast? Well, yes…but that’s who I am. Maybe the beauty of this trail will guide me to live this life slowly and breathe every once in a while. 

Before I know it, I will be coming to my next state border. Wouldn’t it be a shame if I had pushed myself through, before looking around and experiencing North Carolina. 

Opening my eyes, mind, and heart. 

Until next time.  Continue to live a life filled with happiness, passion, and belief in the ones around us.