Date: 2004-05-16
From: Damascus, VA

To: Campsite beside a pond
Miles today: 11.7

HAPPY 92nd ALICE! I love you.Wingfoot, author of my AT thru-hiker's handbook, says everyone is in trail shape after six weeks. Today starts my seventh week; guess this is as good as it gets then!Was it only this morning we were in Damascus? Seems like ages ago. Spirit and Goose gave us a lift to Tent City where an ex-rep of Mystery Pack had a look-see at my pack. The right shoulder pad keeps slipping and digging into my front shoulder bone. He escorted me to the Granite Gear vendors who put a few stitches in the strapping to hold it in place. They also replaced a broken buckle. They refused any pay so all I could do was express my gratitude and move on. The modification seems to have helped; my pack rode much better today. Because we had walked the AT which passes through town approximately 10 times, we caught a ride to the top of the hill and exited Damascus from the laundromat where I sat yesterday at 1 p.m. eating my veggie sub and gazing up at the mountains we had just walked. As usual, the feeling of freedom and high energy consumed my entire being as we stepped into the woods. I want to send a cyber hello to Justin and Corey, Shawna and Larry, whom we met early in today's hike. It amazes me how many total strangers I've encountered and learned they are reading my journal! Corey asked my trail name, and when I told him "Swan", he responded "my mom knows you I think. Are you keeping a journal online?" Gosh, I feel like a genuine celebrity out here. Thanks for making me feel so special, Corey and Justin. I was a mile or so past you when I thought I should have taken a photo of all of us together and then post it on this site for you to share with your classmates. Sorry--I hope seeing your names in my journal is okay. Have a great hike through Georgia and remember to follow the "Leave No Trace" practice!The first eight miles today were some of the easiest by far. Then all of a sudden we started a climb for one-half mile. Very often the trail zigzags up a mountain to avoid a vertical climb. The zigzags are called switchbacks. This half mile was a series of 16 switchbacks! It brought back to mind my rhyme from the Smokies:br>"We love our switchbacks, oh yes, we do. They save our ligaments and muscles too. Fifteen degrees sure beats 62! Oh switchbacks, we love you."Another 2.6 miles further, past Saunders Shelter, across an old logging road, along a footbridge across a stream, across yet another old logging road, past the intersection with Bear Tree Gap and Shaw Gap Trails to a non-specific "pond/campsite" we finally decided to end the day. It was a shortish day but the storm clouds were grumbling and threatening to dump on us in full force. Flat sites were difficult to find so we planted our tents nearly on the trail itself, expecting no one else to show. But, as usual, company arrived. Here tonight: Swiss Miss, Sheriff, Can't Zip/Bent Frame, Blue, and the three of us. We all managed to get our tents up and supper devoured before the rain. The storm never materialized, simply dropped light precipitation on us most of the night. The tree frogs never shut up and served as a humorous background to the song of the whippoorwill which also sang non-stop all night. There's no such thing as a snooze timer to turn off the music of the forest. But then who would want to?!!