Great Wall Hike

North of Beijing, 08.28.2017

I am not sure if I have ever been so excited to hike as today. I have wanted to walk on the The Great Wall forever and I don't think I really ever cared if it was a refurbished section or not, but I booked a place near a section that is old, beat up, and rough. I booked the right place. After a Skype from my little buddy Taylor (made my day), I headed out to a section of the wall they call the coiled dragon. Hard to describe it, but the wall weaved up and down hills for as far as the eye can see. I would still be out walking on it except they put a military installation by the wall and stopped traffic at a certain point. My first 2 hours I saw nobody. It was quiet and I wandered around with a silly grin on my face. Couldn't believe that I was alone on the

Great Wall in China. Surprised I didn't trip and fall off. I was in kind of a daze! Maybe that was heat exhaustion as it was a beautiful hot day. I spent 4 hours hiking in total going from tower to tower. Amazing thing is when you get to the top at a tower, you look and all you can see is more towers and the wall going on forever. I kept thinking I wish my girls were here to see this with me. I hope they see it one day because it really is an amazing place. I go out to a real steep section tomorrow, so that will be interesting. I can see it from the hostel and it looks like a bit of a challenge. Should be good views from up there. I can walk away tomorrow knowing I stood on one of the most incredible feats of mankind. I don't think I will want to leave this fabulous place, but there are always new and exciting things down the road to see. This may have been the greatest August 29th of my life. Has to be since I can't remember any other August 29ths!

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