Date: 2015-05-01
From: Vandeventer Shelter

To: The Place
Miles today: 32.6

I woke up to cold and rain, and I woke up grumpy. Grumoy at the weather, grumpy that there was no privy, grumpy that I wasn't in my tent and had to change my clothes while I was in my sleeping bag, like a wacko contortionist. I was grumpy about my poison ivy and the fact that I had to pack my pack in the tiny crappy shelter, working hard not to disturb anyone.So I set off into the fog and rain and cold with grumpy energy, my hands freezing even in the gloves that Bob Peoples had given me.Last night Fig and I discussed our plans to get to Damascus. We both planned to hike the 22.7 miles from Vandeventer Shelter to Abingdon Gap Shelter today, and then hike the last ten miles into Damascus tomorrow morning.Fig joked about how, during one of his previous thru-hikes, other hikers had departed Vandeventer with the goal of reaching Damascus before 10 p.m., when the pizza restaurant closes.WELL, I MADE IT TO TOWN BY 5. TAKE THAT, HIKERS OF THE PAST.This is probably not one of the wisest choices I have ever made. But I started out in the morning early, making good time, hiking fast to get rid of my agitation and to keep warm. Seriously, my hands were almost numb all day.The trail was pretty smooth, no huge ascents or steep descents. I passed a hiker who asked where I had come from, and when I told him, he said, surprised as I breezed by him, "You're going to Damascus!" It wasn't a question.So I started to think, Why not? Why not challenge myself? That's part of the point of this adventure, to get out of my comfort zone, push myself, be crazy and have fun.Plus I was seriously cold, and wet. Besides, I told myself, I could always stop if I got too tired, or if my feet hurt.Also, Damascus meant a hot shower to warm me, and it meant Benadryl for my bubbly hands, and it meant real food, and it meant that I could sleep late without having to worry about making it to the post office before closing (I need stamps). Most of all, I was almost guaranteed to have phone service there, so I could call my mom and wish her a Happy Birthday. (HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!).So I went for it. I left the shelter around 6:15. If I could average around 3 mph, I would be able to make it before dark. It took me less than 11 hours. I just hiked and snacked and hiked and hiked some more. I calculated my speed, calculated how many miles were left, calculated what time I might reach town.At one point, I passed a sign on a tree advertising trail magic just ahead. There was a bear box with crosses sloppily cut into it, painted bright orange. I took out two packs of chocolate snack cakes (like Little Debby or Hostess make) and ate some. They were gross and made my stomach churn for hours, so I smashed the other two in their wrappers to discourage myself from eating them.I reached Abingdon Gap at 1:30. Ten miles left to Damascus. I had to make my final decision. It was not a hard choice to make. I could freeze my butt off at the crappy little shelter all afternoon (it really wasn't a nice one), cook my dinner with numb fingers, and just crawl into my sleeping bag, damp and miserable, or I could keep going. At this point, it actually seemed like stopping was a much worse idea than continuing on, especially as it was mostly easy and downhill to Damascus.My feet hurt by mile 20, and I swapped shoes at Abingdon Gap. Around mile 25 my back started to hurt because of Bertha. At mile 30, I started feeling horribly sick. I figured it was the cupcakes. It got worse and worse as I started to descend into Damascus, so I took a break. I put my pack down and ate a lot of chocolate and drank lots of water. I didn't think I was hungry but the chocolate made me feel better.And then, I arrived! Damascus is cute. The trail runs right through town. The first thing I did was head to Dollar General for Benadryl (and a bag of crispy M&Ms. Frozen Mac was there! She was surprised to see me, and I explained my poison ivy problem.Next I secured a bunk at The Place, a hostel run by a church in town. Mac and Beast are also here.Then I went and picked up my mail drop at the outfitters (they don't have wide width shoes), and bought a turkey sandwich at Subway. I have been wanting one for a while. I had just enough phone service and battery power to call mom outside of Subway. Mission successful.Mac was sitting outside eating a pint of ice cream when I got back to The Place. She told me she had gotten clementines at the grocery store, and that it wasn't too far.So then I walked to the store, and bought MACINTOSH APPLES AND CARROTS (yay, produce!) as well as everything bagels, and cream cheese. Watching Mac eat her ice cream made me want some, so I also got an M&M ice cream sandwich. I ate it as I walked, and then I stopped at Dollar General and bought a chocolate cone, which I also ate.Then I took a hot shower. And it really was HOT. AMAZINGLY, WONDERFULLY HOT. I WAS SO HAPPY. I put on clean clothes and combed my hair and I just ate an apple and I am so happy even though I am stiff and sore and my toes feel weird. I took lots of Benadryl and slathered my hands with anti-itch cream. In a few minutes I will go to bed, and I will sleep late, and I will eat REAL FOOD tomorrow.I have now crossed the border into Virginia and have hiked more than 20% of the trail!I cannot wait to sleep. I might even get pizza tomorrow (I just learned that the pizza place has a BUFFET, and it seems reasonably priced. I will investigate more tomorrow). I will probably take a rest day, even though I told myself I would stop doing that. My feet need a rest and I can go back to the store and get some more decent food.I am thankful to Evie, Auntie Pat, and Uncle Clyde for making my dream evening financially possible. Thank you so much!!! I would really be miserable if I had stayed at that shelter, but you have allowed me to be warm and clean and dry, with a stomach full of decent food.Happy Birthday, Mom! See you in a week!!!