Walking Through Vastness, Carried by Care

Daily Miles: 35.06 | Total Miles: 8,814.53

I started late today, leaving the hotel room after 7 a.m. Still feeling tired, I wandered up to the shop — and who was there? Rae. She came straight over, wrapped me in a warm hug, and helped me think through my next stop. That hug, first thing in the morning, was exactly what I needed. Rae is one of those people you meet and feel like you’ve known forever.

Not long after, I met Fran, another wonderful woman, and then — just as I was heading out with two muffins for the road — I ran into Scott. At first, I couldn’t place him, but he reminded me we had met in Yalata. He told me his father had been talking about me the whole way, then said, “Go knock on the window and surprise him.” I did — and Jim’s face was priceless. It felt so good to see them again, like meeting family.

Before leaving, I also had a short, kind chat with Angela, and finally, I set off. The walk was beautiful. Bushes and trees framed the road, and I felt strong on my feet. At one point, Gail and Gary — African and Aussie travelers — stopped to chat and offer me goodies for the way. Their warmth lifted me even more.

The flowers were stunning: pinkish, water-storing plants scattered in the sand, fields of dark red bushes glowing in the light. The long road stretched endlessly, rolling up and down with hill after hill. Alone in such vastness, I felt small and yet strangely expansive — part of the land itself.

Later, Collin slowed down once again. He brought me water and dried mangoes, but more than that, he brought the reassurance of care — someone checking in, making sure I was okay. That kind of kindness means everything out here.

As the sun lowered, I searched for a parking lot to camp near, but it never appeared. Each horizon tricked me, and five times I told myself: “If there’s no sign here, I’ll pitch the tent.” Finally, as the sun dropped low and the hills kept rising, I gave in. On the far side of the road, I found an old off-road site with a fire pit. Perfect.

I pitched my tent quickly, utterly drained. Inside, I had nothing left. I forced myself to eat, did the bare minimum, and let the wave of tiredness carry me under. Later, I woke sweating even though I’d been freezing when I first lay down. I shifted a few things around, then fell back asleep.

Another day done — full of unexpected reunions, kind people, endless beauty, and the deep exhaustion that only this journey can bring. Thanks for checking in with me.

Dream Big Too, Andrea