//------------------------------//
// Day 22 
// Story: The Winding Northward Road 
// by Rambling Writer 
//------------------------------//

Got into Foal Mountain’s foothills.  Can already tell I’m moving faster than I did at the beginning of the trip; it took me a while to get through to the Macintosh Hills proper, but it looks like I’m almost to the slope-slopes of Foal Mountain.  It looks smaller than the Macintosh Hills, so that might have something to do with it (but that might just be me).  It’s tall (I can see the clouds getting caught on the peak), but it’s also a bit of a loner.  There are smaller mountains in its range, but they don’t come close to it.

Did indeed find a stream.  Followed it easily.  Water’s cold, but that’s not that bad.  Prefer cold water to no water.  Heard a lot of wildlife in the forest, but barely saw any.  Maybe a fox or two and a ferret, but I could’ve been seeing things.  No real change in the scenery, aside from one time the treeline stopped dead because of farmland.  Didn’t go on the farm, but stayed inside the woods.  Haven’t seen another pony since I left Rambling Rock Ridge.

Over three weeks in, I’m honestly surprised I’m still doing this.  Haven’t considered turning back once (except for after I ate the cacti, but that was a special case and doesn’t count).  Definitely a good thing for me; I feel healthier, am thinking more, and am more fit.  I’m even writing poetry!  (It’s not very good, but I’m still writing it.)  Has anyone else ever felt this way?  Probably.  I should look into some books on this, see if it’s true.  Travelogs.  (Is that how you spell it?  No, travelogues.)  Maybe write one myself.

Going to climb up Foal Mountain at least a little tomorrow.  Can’t decide whether I’ll summit it or go around.  Have to sleep on it.

Spire to the skies,
Crowned with a ri
Crowned by lofty ring of clouds,
Standing triumphant.

I really hope it’s spi-er and not spaihr.  Also, what happened that made it “triumphant”?  Dagnabbit.

Aloft, the peak sits,
Watching the world below it. beneath it.
Eternal vigil.