Date: 2003-05-14
From: Thomas Knob Campsite

To: VA 603
Miles today: 12.1

Woke up to discover that campsite was absolutely beautiful! And that we hadn't camped on any cow pies, another plus. Started the day with some great hiking in open areas with neat rocks to scramble over. With Sleepy Floyd and Windtalker, we got to a rock tunnel that we thought was Fatman's Squeeze and took lots of pictures there. Then about a mile later we got to the real Fatman's Squeeze and took another slew of pictures (for the record, Moo was able to make it through both of them no problem : ).Got to Grayson Highlands and saw a couple of feral ponies! They were adorable but we weren't sure if they were all right to pet. Then we noticed a little girl, about 8 or so, with her arms flung around one of the ponies' necks and decided if it was OK for her, it was probably safe for us. Got out some gorp and fed it to them, and they ate it right out of our hands. Then they tried to eat it right out of the bag, then nosed around the pockets where the bags were stored. Smart ponies. Soon after came across a whole herd of ponies with some foals. Incredible. Fed them more gorp, and they kept coming back for more -- going for the hands and pockets. In fact, one pony nibbled on Pipes' thumb (but she was fine). Stopped for a quick lunch at Wise Shelter, then we were all ready to get to VA 603, because from there we were going to hitch back to Damascus for Trail Days. (Trail Days is an annual hiker festival in Damascus, VA, where thousands of hikers gather to hang out and have a good time, and lots of equipment reps have tents and there are food vendors, etc.) Moo & 42 lagged behind the others, and by the time we got to the last shelter before VA 603, we got a note from everyone saying that they were going to hitch into Damascus and would meet us there. We double timed it the last couple of miles to the road, singing all the way. When we emerged from the woods, we saw everyone (the 2 Rif-Raf, Superman & Torch, Sleepy Floyd, Pipes, and Windtalker) sitting there still waiting for a hitch -- apparently it wasn't as easy as we thought it would be. Pipes and Windtalker finally decided to go to a nearby campground and call the Damascus outfitters to get us a ride (one we'd have to pay for), so they took off. Then, of course, a car stopped, but it was going the wrong way. While waiting for the outfitters ride to get there, Rif-Raf taught us how to play Zoogle. 42 lost 3 out of 3 games. Stupid game. Fortunately for 42 our ride showed up and we made it back to Damascus. We got dropped off at Tent City, an enclosed area about a mile outside of town where hikers were supposed to set up there tents. It was Wednesday night and Trail Days wouldn't really get going until Thursday or Friday, so it was relatively calm and we got a good place for our tents. Went into town to Sicily's for dinner. Sleepy Floyd & Moo stopped for beer, and by time they got to the restaurant, were pretty buzzed. Sleepy Floyed is a good drunk & he knows his limits -- he asked Moo to "stop me if I start tackling people."Then Radar showed up at dinner -- and his magic continued! He offered a ride to the movies, and it was the opening night of the Matrix Reloaded, so 42 and Pipes hopped in his car along with Pushin' up Daisies and Potatohead. The theater was packed but we were able to get seats -- we missed the first couple of minutes, but it didn't matter, it was an excellent experience complete with some theatergoers dressed up as Neo, Trinity, and Smith. Fantastic.While 42 was at the movies, Moo & Sleepy Floyd went to the Side Track Cafe and heard Loser play guitar.