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Penguin

I'm Lena, a norwegian woman in my thirties. I've been dreaming of hiking the Appalachian Trail ever since I fell into a massive YouTube rabbit hole during the pandemic. What started as entertainment soon evolved to a little piece of hope during a very dark time. Maybe someday I would do something as courageous and silly as spend 6 months in the woods in a foreign country? Well, I've finally decided to stop dreaming, and start doing. In 2026 I start my journey on the Appalachian Trail!

Posts

2 weeks notice – How I managed to stay on trail

2 weeks notice – How I managed to stay on trail

Hi, Penguin here! It’s been a while since I posted a blog post about my journey on the AT. I left you all hanging there for a while, and at a bit

Jun 6, 2026 : Penguin
Day 2 of My Two Weeks Notice

Day 2 of My Two Weeks Notice

I really like Marion. It has a Starbucks. And, the Merry Inn has a shuttle driver that can be quite easily bribed to stop by said Starbucks (it is a

May 19, 2026 : Penguin
Day 1 of the Two Weeks Notice

Day 1 of the Two Weeks Notice

My decision to hand in my two weeks notice has given me some immediate effects. For one, my mood is better. I am no longer on trail for forever. If I

May 19, 2026 : Penguin
Chapter 21: In which she hands in her two weeks notice

Chapter 21: In which she hands in her two weeks notice

What I am doing is not sustainable. I need a plan.   Right now I am wandering and wondering. I have emotions I don’t understand, and that I

May 7, 2026 : Penguin
Chapter 20: In which she doesn’t want to be on trail anymore

Chapter 20: In which she doesn’t want to be on trail anymore

Forcing myself back on trail “Let’s head out tomorrow.” I say to Swift, whom is sitting on the couch next to me, as we watch our third movie of the

May 6, 2026 : Penguin
Chapter 19: In which the mental challenge has no end

Chapter 19: In which the mental challenge has no end

Oh, how I’ve been struggling! I have no better way to explain it than to say that my journey into Marion yesterday was essentially an evacuation. I

May 5, 2026 : Penguin
Chapther 18: In which the vikings conquer Nemo Island

Chapther 18: In which the vikings conquer Nemo Island

I am currently sitting on the top bunk in the little cabin I am sharing with Swift, reflecting on the last few days. My clothes smell like bonfire,

May 1, 2026 : Penguin
Chapter 17: In which a letter and friends fight the mind

Chapter 17: In which a letter and friends fight the mind

I thought that waking up today in a real bed at cool Boots Off Hostel, I would feel better. Yesterday sucked. The weather was absolutely lovely and

Apr 30, 2026 : Penguin
Let’s skip ahead!

Let’s skip ahead!

Heya, Penguin here! Just letting you know I will skip the blog ahead a few weeks on my journey. I have been really far behind as writing and

Apr 29, 2026 : Penguin
Chapter 16: What happens in Gatlinburg, stays in Gatlinburg

Chapter 16: What happens in Gatlinburg, stays in Gatlinburg

Gatlinburg, Tennessee is a touristy town close to the road which crosses through the middle of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Sometimes

Apr 28, 2026 : Penguin