Date: 2011-04-27
From: Damascus, Virginia

To: Damascus, Virginia
Miles today: 192.6
Weather: overcast clouds

I am in Damascus, Virginia taking a zero day. We got into town yesterday afternoon and are staying at a donation hostel run by the First United Methodist Church called "The Place." Three states down! Georgia, North Carolina, and Tennessee. So much has happened since Hot Springs. Lady hiked with me for a few days until Erwin, TN. She did really well on the trail, except at night when she got cold like me. We are both freeze babies I guess. At Sam's Gap a couple nights after Hot Springs we ended up sleeping under a bridge waiting for the storm of the apocalypse that never really hit us. Lady slept on the bottom of my sleeping pad so that half of my body was on the concrete. First time sleeping under a bridge. In the morning, River Rat boiled a dozen farm fresh eggs that we got from a lady who lived nearby. Just before they were ready to eat, a huge gust of wind blew through and sent the eggs rolling down the steep incline and onto the trail that passed under the bride. He was pretty disappointed, but we salvaged five eggs. I took a zero day in Erwin because of shin splints in my right leg, which are almost completely healed now. My mom picked up Lady there as well. Blue Eyes' mom and sister met him there and fed us homemade potato salad, fried chicken, cheesecake, and sweet tea. I slept for most of the day making it a true day off. I caught up to Blue Eyes a couple days later at the Greasy Creek Friendly (hostel) where we spent the afternoon and night being pampered by the owner Connie. I wasn't going to stay the night, but after she made me hot tea and a tub of water and salts to soak my feet I was convinced that I needed to stay and rest some more. We watched four movies, laid around, Connie french braided my hair, ordered dinner from a diner, and ate ice cream for dessert. Except for her crazy deaf neighbor who yelled obscenities at any hiker walking by, this place felt like home. The next day included a long climb up Roan Mountain and then a hike across several balds. I stayed at Overmountain Shelter, which was a large red barn overlooking a valley. The next morning was the worst one of my entire trip. I hiked up Hump Mountain in the extreme wind and cold rain. It was too foggy and rainy to see anything. I was cursing the mountain the entire way to the top which never seemed to come. When I finally got to the top, I followed the arrow on a rock pointing left and ended up looping back onto the trail I had just climbed up, taking me all the way back to the bottom. So I had to hike all the way back up. Luckily, I met my brother Austin and our friend Ryan that afternoon near Elk Park, and they took me to lunch, where deep fried oreos made everything better. Austin and Ryan (Skittles or Rollback) hiked with me for two days. The first night we stayed at a new shelter that had three levels and the top of a waterfall as the water source. Austin built a great fire there. The next night, Saturday, we stayed at Kincora Hostel run by Bob Peoples. Another amazing hostel. I stayed in a private room with a large, comfy bed and a huge dreamcatcher hanging on the wall. Austin and Ryan bought pizzas and pop for everyone at the hostel. They left Easter morning. Bob took us to Catholic mass for Easter. Easter was a perfect hiking day. We passed a 50 foot waterfall, climbed Pond Mountain, and swam in Watauga Lake. The next day was my longest hiking day yet, 21.5 miles. It was really hot until it rained and hailed on us in the afternooon. It was worth it because the following day we arrived in Damascus, which has been great so far. Last night, me, River Rat, and Powatan got a ride into Abingdon, about 15 miles away, to hear live music. I'm still having a blast out here and will update my photos as soon as I find a computer without restrictions! Thanks again for all the messages, they are greatly appreciated!