One Month One World One Year Personal Challenge (Complete!)
Have you ever admired those who start a New Year doing a one photo per day contest? I have, but I've never tried it. I had an idea pop into my head on New Years Eve for a challenge similar to those, ...
Tessa and Josh got a late start to their excursion the next day. Tessa was exhausted from their practice climbs and slept until very late afternoon. I thought about delaying the trip until Sunday. But, I'd checked the forecast while they were on the mountain the night before and it looked like just snow for today, but very windy and possibly a blizzard the next day.
They talked it over and decided to leave that night. Tessa made the call and they were on their way. I had a bit of a snag once they arrived at the Onsen. I couldn't find any trail markers. Where were they? The instructions just said to gather team members at the trail marker, but didn't say where it was located.
I decided they must be up by the slopes, so sent them on the gondolas up there. Looking around I still couldn't find any trail markers. I even minimized my screen and did a search on Carl's site. Nothing. Good thing I had the game paused or they definitely would've ran out of time. Finally, I remembered seeing some kind of sign at the top of the medium climbing walls and checked that out. Bingo!
They both climbed up there without incident and moved on to the next part. Luckily, the sun was shining under a clear blue sky, at least for a little while longer. Once they reached base camp and the tall walls, they set up the tent Tessa had brought along and took some time to rest before moving on.
It began to snow a little, but I wasn't too worried... I should've been. o.O Tessa's energy wasn't fully green, but I got them up anyway and had her drink some energy juice. Focused is the right mood for climbing, but I couldn't do anything about that at this point.
They packed up the tent as it snowed even harder and headed over to the walls. Josh, of course, scrambled up them like a monkey, no problem at all. I had him again set-up the tent and read the Wilderness Guide while he waited for Tessa. She made it okay, with a few slips, but no falls. By this time a raging blizzard was in full force!
Tessa hurried over to the tent, or I should say ran in a panic with 'run inside' popping up over and over in her queue. Thankfully, they had some time before the clock ran out to just hunker down and ride out the storm. A very good thing since it was now thundersnowing too! I was hoping, yet...not, if that makes sense there would be thundersnow. Very cool to hear. I thought there would be lightening too, but nope.
The storm wasn't letting up, at all, but they were running out of time to move on. I had a passing thought that maybe they should just go home and try again next weekend. But, they'd come this far already, why not just go for it, right? o.O Packing up the tent, they moved on to the next, and hopefully last obstacle before reaching the top, the tallest walls.
Holy Simoly, they weren't kidding, those walls are twice, maybe three times higher than any of the others. Plus, they were covered in ice and had HUGE frozen snowsicles hanging down from above. A majestic sight to behold, but very intimidating to say the least! I seriously wondered, along with Tessa and Josh, why were they out in a blizzard trying to climb a mountain? Maybe they should finally call it and go home.
I adore, no, love a challenge though and was determined Tessa (and Josh) would reach their goal, tonight. Not very smart risking my Sims lives like that, but... guess I'm not very smart. :D I had Josh try those formidable looking walls first. When he checked them for his chances of success, it said 'High.' Of course he made it like the Pro that he is, no worries, no biggie. What about Tessa though? Would she be able to make it?
She got the same message after checking the walls too though, and the blizzard had finally begun to subside. While Josh again set-up the tent in case Tessa needed a rest before the next goal, she began her ascent. She slipped and even fell a couple times at the lower part of the walls, but didn't get hurt. I was very surprised about that. By the time she was halfway up, the snow completely stopped, the stars began to shine and the moon rose high overhead. It looked like she was going to make it, and, of course, she did! \o/
I threw my arms up in the air and yelled out, "YES, YES, YES, She did it!" after getting the message they'd reached their goal. I'm a dork, what can I say? :) I didn't see the top of the mountain yet, but figured it had to be at the end of a trail leading off into the distance.
Josh packed up the tent one last time and the two slogged through the deep snow up the trail to their final destination. What a beautiful sight to behold! I have to say, the Devs did a brilliant job with this pack in my opinion. The views at the top are absolutely gorgeous!
Tessa and Josh shared a lovely hug and she thanked him for helping her reach the ultimate goal, she didn't know if she would've been able to do it without him. He told her with a smile on his lips and a look of pride on his face, he knew she could do it, was so very proud of her and extremely happy he could be there to share in her joy! BFFs and Snowbros forever, right? After that, Josh took their picture, they made a Snowpal together in place of a flag to mark their victory and Tessa placed the Polar bear gnome she'd brought along next to it. Instead of a name, I put a message, 'Tessa and Josh were here!'
Lastly, they made Snowangels, shared a Snowbros High Five with the bright sun shining down upon them, and then I sent them home.
I won't apologize this time for the length of these notes, I loved this experience with my Sims and wanted to share every moment with all of you! However, I'll try to keep them shorter in the future.
I don't know what to do now. Should I send Josh back home to live with his Brothers? Or let him continue to live with Tessa? I confess, again, I would love to make them a couple when Tessa is a young adult. The sentiments they keep getting for each other and the constant looks shared between them makes me feel like they might want that. It could just be my silly romantic heart imagining all of that though. I hesitate for obvious reasons... What do you guys think? Should Tessa and Josh stay together or would that be too cheaty since he's a Super Sim? I just don't know, I'm torn. Anyway, thanks for reading and, as always...
