Many coincidences happen in life. I just happened to be in various places, leading to amazing encounters with all kinds of beings, events, and more.

I was trying to reach Marion Transit for a hiker shuttle service, and there was no good cell reception during their business hours so I could not book a ride. When I reached the Mount Roger Visitor Center, I kept walking to the road and started thumbing my way to Marion.

I stood on the side of the road for about five minutes until a hiker waved at me and said out loud across the street, “There will be a shuttle here in 10 minutes.” He said he called from the phone at the visitor center before I arrived. I thought what a coincidence! He just so happened to be there to make a phone call for a ride when I needed it!

Marion was a hiker friendly town with the transit system. I was able to get around to take care of my needs easily. What I loved about the shuttle was that locals also use it. They all seemed to know each other and enjoy the free trips. I had two elderly women asking me questions about the AT and I was glad to make some connections with residents in this way.

A few hours later, I caught a shuttle back to the trailhead. I saw other hikers hanging out in the shade, overhearing them say not hiking till later in the evening. It was another hot day with a high of 83 degrees. I was getting used to the heat and humidity of the East Coast. I started hiking and planned to go for only four hours so that I could conserve my energy for the next day.

Around 5:30 pm, I got water and was ready to settle in at the next camp spot along the way. Then I heard a low, heavy, consistent noise that came out of the blue. The moment I heard it, I knew exactly what it was- a power line tower. It reminded me of the PCT section near Tehachapi where thousands of wind turbines operate. I had to hike and camp near them for days and I did not like that experience at all. When I heard the sound of a power line tower, I almost had an allergic reaction and immediately started hiking faster to get away from it. My pack was heavy with a full resupply and 3 liters of water. Still, I chose to carry the weight and not camp where I hear the noise. Soon, the traffic sound from the interstate joined the power line tower noise! I crossed the interstate and I kept walking for 2 more miles until sundown. I finally reached a place where the sounds were far enough. It was much later than I thought I would be camping.

What a coincidence! This one was unpleasant. When things don’t go my way, I try to have a mindset that whatever happens in life is all meant to be. It makes my life easier. Sure enough, a few days later, it all made sense. Who knew?

The landscape has changed dramatically since Marion. There were more pastures with cows and grasslands on the ridge where it was very hot in the afternoon.

I passed an old historic school that was built in 1894 near the Settlers Museum. It gave me a vibe of the East Coast. This side of the country has a much longer settlers’ history than the West Coast. I wondered what the students looked like in a classroom back in 1894 in southern Virginia. My students at NatureBridge came from all different backgrounds. When I left the organization, roughly 50% of the students who attended our program were students of color. Back in 1894, what was it like? I’m guessing it was all white settlers’ kids with a white teacher. 

I had many wildlife encounters so far in this section- many deer foraging along the trail, well-camouflaged frogs were leaping everywhere, a ferret-looking mammal running into a creek, rabbits hopping around in the early mornings, a male grouse performing a courting dance, butterflies dancing in the air, and salamanders enjoying the rain. These are incredible coincidences- I just so happened to walk by them when they were there!

The last three days, we were blessed with rain. It’s a challenge as a thru-hiker and it’s a big part of hiking the AT. The previous eight consecutive days were sunny and cloudy, and I could feel the land was calling for the shower of blessings from the sky. I paid attention to the rain forecast and was flexible so I could hike in dry conditions and stay as dry as possible.

I ended up with an alpine start, meaning getting up and leaving the camp super early, for the last two mornings. Yesterday, I left my camp at 3:45 am, hiking until 3 pm without rain. Right around 3 o’clock, I heard thunderstorms and it started raining hard. I set up my camp and thought it was too early but I dozed off around 6 pm for another day of an early start.

Before falling asleep, I was looking at the map to plan the next day. It would be my one-month anniversary of hiking the AT and I wanted it to be a special day to celebrate the milestone. I saw Woods Hole Hostel, 26.9 miles away. I’ve heard about the hostel because it’s one of the oldest hostels on the AT with an organic garden and they serve dinner and breakfast with high-quality ingredients. It would be an awesome place for a celebration! 26.9 miles is reasonable, I thought. It would be a long day and I’d hike thinking about the cozy dry cabin, hot showers, and yummy organic food.

I started at 3:30 am in the dark. I felt water drops from the leaves whenever the wind blew but the rain had stopped and it was foggy. I rechecked the forecast and it said it would be cloudy until 2 pm, which was much later than the forecast from yesterday. I thought I might make it right in time before the rain. How lucky! The early bird gets the worm!

With the excitement I left my camp, keeping up a good pace through the dark into the soft light in the foggy morning. I did not see a single hiker on the trail all day long. I came to an intersection of the original AT route and the Ribble Trail which cuts off 7 miles and goes straight north. Guess which one I chose? The weather was fine and I love walking so I stuck to the AT. Soon, I entered green Rhododendron tunnels, feeling protected.

I spent some time reflecting on the past month. I had many feelings and thoughts- first immense gratitude for no sickness, no injuries. I feel so healthy, enjoying all day forest bathing, and plenty of water that gives life. I feel more relaxed than ever- very different compared to the first month of the other two trials. I was more like a warrior, trying hard. This time I feel more like an artist, working to achieve a high-quality art of walking, flowing like the water on the downhills, rising like the air on the uphills, grounded like the Earth every moment, and inspiring the witness like the fire. How can I be more efficient to the point it’s no longer an effort? How can I move more gracefully, softly, and gently? If Mother Earth is watching me, would she say, “That human knows how to walk like her ancestors!”?

As I reflected, I felt peaceful. My breath and movements were all in sync, and again gratitude for everything that allowed me to pursue this adventure, looking forward to tomorrow and more to come as I trekked gently through the wet forest in Virginia.

I arrived at the hostel at 2:10 pm before the rain started to come down. I was nervous about the bunk house, sharing the space with other people since I only camped solo or stayed with friends until today. When I entered the house, three chill friendly hikers welcomed me to the wood stove-heated cozy cabin, exactly what I needed, followed by hot showers and yummy community dinner in the main log house. Before we began eating, we shared our names, where we were from, and what we were grateful for. I appreciated the intentionality, which resembled my culture. Everyone was smiling, chatting, and eating a healthy, hearty meal after a long day. I felt held, connected, and content.

Then I thought, if I had not put the extra miles on the day I encountered the power line tower, this would not have happened. What a coincidence that I happened to stumble upon the best hostel experience on this rainy foggy beautiful day, surrounded by the beautiful community.

Whatever happens in life is all meant to be. Sure enough, it all came together- whether I liked it or not in the moment. Who knew?