May 22, 2024<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the forest, where I pitched my tent in near darkness last night, I wake up to the sound of loud cracking branches. Is someone walking out there? I peek through my tent, but I don\u2019t see a person\u2014it\u2019s a deer! I watch it for a while as it moves quietly through the underbrush, then it disappears into the dense forest. I open my tent and lie ready with my camera, hoping it\u2019ll come back so I can catch it on film. And yes\u2014it returns! A bit farther off this time, but I\u2019ve got the proof!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I break my record for latest start\u2014I don\u2019t begin walking until 1 p.m. But the walking is smooth as can be. Sometimes you hit that rhythm where your legs just move on their own. I think it\u2019s similar to a runner\u2019s high. Pure luxury.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The route is lovely, winding through gently rolling farmland with relatively many houses, alternating with patches of pine and deciduous forest. I enjoy the scent of the pines, the flowers, and the breeze in my hair. Along the way, I make friends with a cat that walks with me for a bit and cuddles up when I sit down. It\u2019s these small moments that make the journey feel so grand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the distance, I spot a church wrapped in blue construction fabric. The door is open, and I step inside to enjoy the coolness and the simple, colorful interior. Though I\u2019m not religious, I always enjoy entering churches. The silence, the cool air, the calm\u2014something about it moves me. I often find myself thinking of someone who might need a moment of peace like this.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I sleep tucked away in a meadow with tall grass. They\u2019ll probably mow it soon. I haven\u2019t had a hot meal yet today, and I\u2019m quite hungry. Fish on the menu\u2014bought frozen earlier, which helps it keep longer on the road. I feast, and as I eat, I decide to book a hostel for tomorrow when I see a deal in Huskvarna (yes, like the Husqvarna brand). I\u2019ve done a lot of hand-washing, but it\u2019s really time for a proper laundry session. After three weeks, my sheets don\u2019t exactly smell fresh anymore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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