Date: 2008-05-03
From: Kincora Hostel

To: Emails
Miles today: 10.0

Dear Friends: I do have email on the trail, when I can get a signal. Please don't hesitate to send me note if you'd like. Its great to get encouraging messages or just friendly hello's. Please do not send "forwards" from the internet. You can also send me a note from the website where my journals are posted. To the left, there is a "guest book" where you can send a note or read other notes others have sent. Its easy and if your email is included, I can respond. Thanks.Today I slacked 9-10 miles from a Watauga Lake south to Dennis Cove where Kincora Hostel is located. I'm glad I did this as the north hike in this section is a real steeper, especially with a full pack. I took my time for a change, stopping to enjoy a view or two and taking some pictures. I also stopped (climbed down to) Laurel Falls, a very popular spot if will to do a tricky rock climb down, and then back up. I stayed for like a half hour and had lunch while listening to the water crashing over the wide rocks. The falls were only about 60'to 80' up but maybe 100' across layers of dark, black rock formations. Pretty cool just sitting there not worrying what time it was. Have some pictures of course to show later.I ran into a few hikers northbound I haven't seen for a couple days. This happens a lot as each person hikes his own hike and for you end up seeing them again eventually up the trail. Today I say Ravon, Iowa Bob, another Bob, Hiker Dave, and The Breeze. I met Breeze the first week out. Nice guy, 47 form Washington state, a strong hiker (he did the Pacific Crest Trail, 2600 miles). He's having troulbe with shin splints and is thinking of laying up for a week in Damascus to let them heal up. Better to lay up for a week than to let things get compilcated and maybe have to give up the entire hike later. I have no nagging problems except with my one toe(acts up every once in a while) and some numbness on the bottoms of both feet. They're not use to this daily mileage thing I'm treating them to.I've lost 23# since April 1. I eat lots especially in the evening but still not enough to compensate for the calories I burn during the day. I will begin eating more without overdoing it during the day. My hiking pants and shorts are way too big now and very soon in Damascus I will have to get some new ones. But its alway nice to buy clothes a smaller size than normal.Damacus VA is up the trail 40 miles from tomorrows start, 2.5 days hike. It is considered a milestone on the trail at 461 miles from the southern terminus at Sptinger Mt.GA. Each year, Damascus had a festival called "Trail Days". Trail Days is a huge event for the community and for the Appalachian Trail Conservancy. Hundreds of hikers attend the multiday event. There is entertainment, gear vendors, hiker seminars and lots of partying. I will not be attending. Many hikers hike past Damascus, then arrange transportation back to the town for the event. The trail should be light with hikers for 9-10 days starting on the 8th.I finished the day with dinner at an Applebee's with salad, a couple appetizers, and a beer. The hostel was again noisy. I will be glad to be hiking on tomorrow.More later.