Virginia

The new beginning and a new lifestyle.

North Carolina is what got me comfortable sleeping in nature in places other than a parking lot, taught me courage, and showed me how fun hiking and exploring nature is. The first half of my trip I was too scared to do nature things with no reception, but now? I’m ready. Only now I’ll be on my own, fully solo (read the story about North Carolina here for why I ended up having company for that state lol). 

This is where I start to really live in the mountains and in the nature lifestyle-- alone. I already started bathing and doing laundry in waterfalls in North Carolina when I was living in the mountains, and I really continued to live the life in Virginia.

Right here, a little past McAfee Knob in Virginia along the Appalachians, I sat and meditated after an 8 mile hike. Here I felt like I really connected with Earth, like as a planet. I literally felt as though I became one with the Earth, and I could feel everything the world was feeling. I felt everyone and everything, all their thoughts and feelings. Yet it was still very peaceful, because I could feel the energy of the trees, plants, mountains, everything. It was here I felt a deeper awakening and could grow past the ego-based limitations in my mind. By becoming one with the Earth, it felt easy to release all attachments and limiting beliefs. I don’t know how to else explain it, but I became the Earth. I’m not sure how long I was meditating for, but it was certainly one of my most intriguing, deep, and healing meditations and inspired me to summit more and more mountaintops- so I can relive the feeling of being one with everything and everyone.

After needing to flee North Carolina and unhappily leave the mountains, then getting disappointed by the beaches, I drive back to the mountain ranges (Appalachians) in Virginia. They don’t compare to Asheville, they’re much shorter but still beautiful. There were many beautiful spots I discovered in Virginia. From Roanoke to DC, I went back and forth the mountains- I was fully in love with living in the mountains.

In Roanoke, the rumors are true - ROANOKE IS WEIRD LOL. The vibes are just strange. Also, a car followed me all the way to an abandoned parking lot (which I was planning to sleep at). They followed me for a while, and the fact they followed me to an empty and abandoned parking lot, was really suspicious. I parked, and they circled my car. I was too scared to make eye contact, but they definitely saw me alone and I saw what I think to be two girls and one guy driving. I was pretty scared and worried and almost slept at a police station, but I got a hotel instead so I can take a real bath/ shower.

Here’s a vlog talking about it:

I left Roanoke as quickly as I could and headed for somewhere safer. Then I happily continued my journey living throughout the mountains. Anywhere that was free to access, I went there. I even drove down the dragon’s back and hiked the dragon’s tail. It was such a fun drive!

Another memorable moment is when I minorly injured myself climbing a rock (bouldering pretty much) on a cliff in Breaks Interstate. I stupidly was on the phone with my ex-best friend and was too lazy to put my phone in my hiking bag to safely climb down. So climbing with one hand is a terrible idea and I fell off the rock that was on a cliff but I didn’t fall off the cliff because I was inland enough that when I fell down I didn’t fall off. It was a pretty rough fall and my whole body was shaken and I needed a few minutes to get my head together. I patiently waited the pain out and grabbed my first aid kit in my hiking bag and tended to my bleeding scratches from falling and tumbling down the rock lol. When I got back to my car, I applied chinese medicine for contusions/bruises and repeatedly did so until I healed.

My favourite memory was at Devil’s Bathtub, where I almost stole someone’s dog. His name is Bandit, and he had a collar and address- where I dropped him off after the hike. He followed me all the way there and back, leading the way and also jumping into someone else’s car. Apparently he’s the neighbourhood dog and after spending some time with him I could tell he does this often LOL. I loved every moment of it. I also made friends with other hikers here and shared my story with them. They were super friendly and chill, and gave me a delicious sandwich!

Here’s my vlog and some other posts regarding this area: