Date: 2006-04-25
From: Lost Mtn. Shelter SOBO

To: Damascus, VA SOBO then Dickey Gap VA 650 SOBO
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: 0

Cell good.It rained most of the night and I am glad I slept in the shelter. Everyone in the shelter awoke about 6:00am and we started our daily routine. For me it was a trip to the privy - normally I wouldn't share this, but this time I got a laugh there. On one of the 4X4 posts someone stuck a "Turn off the lights when not in use" sticker. Not having any electricity for miles, it was funny!We all made our breakfasts, packed up, and started our hike. I hiked all day alone as I was again heading south. We had two retired Army section hikers in the shelter that were also heading south, but they didn't leave when I did.The first person I ran into was Afterburn, he stayed at the shelter before ours, Saunders Shelter. He said it was a nice shelter with evergreen trees around it, which makes an excellent tenting spot. I thought I might take a look when I went by, but decided differently when I reached the side trail to it and found it was 1/4 mile off the AT.After seeing Afterburn I reached the Virginia Creeper Trail. This is an old railbed that is now a hiking and biking trail. The town of Damascus has a half dozen outfitters that rent bikes and shuttle people out to locations to ride back to town on. The Creeper is a very pretty ride that follows a riverbed so it's very smooth. Anyone interesed in a nice biking destination should check it out.Fortunately the AT uses the Creeper for about a half mile. I crossed over a river on a high RR bridge and then followed the rivers edge until the AT went back into the woods. From there I started a gradual uphill climb until I reached the Saunders Shelter area and made the decision previously mentioned. As I started downhill, I met Die Hard. He was heading for the shelter I had left earlier. It was weird to see him and not be hiking with him. I'll put on extra miles and catch up as fast as I can.I continued to meet people as I hiked - I'm amazed how late some people get started. I ran into the "Jersey Boys" when I reached Damascus, they were heading north. They had taken a few zeros and had started south of Damascus. They hiked right through town and were heading out. My first order of business when I reached Damascus was to get a vanilla soft ice cream. I saw the stand on the ride out and decided it would be my first stop. I continued into town eating my ice cream and anticipating meeting Sue.I arrived at the meeting point about an hour before her, so I sat around and talked with other hikers. I'm glad it went this way as I knew people she didn't.After she got there I gave her the nickel tour of town and we headed for Abington where there is a Holiday Inn that we are staying in. Damascus has B&Bs, and hostels, but no hotels. We needed a large room for all the camping gear we have with us. I'm swapping out winter/summer gear and making some changes to what I'm using. Sue brought boxes I left at home rather than individual pieces. This is better, as my terminology might be different than hers and I might not get the items I need.I'm so glad Sue is here, we need this time together. I made a big change in the hiker me. I shaved off the beard. I didn't like it much, and when Sue saw she didn't either. I'll shave in towns from here on, but on the short stretches between towns it will grow. She took pictures of my cutting it off, so, hopefully, they'll be posted here soon. She also took a side view of the new skinny me. I've lost a few more pounds I weigh 178lbs on our home bathroom scale. Yup she brought that too!We're sitting around watching TV and getting to know each other once again. It feels a little strange being back in the real world, I'm sure in a few hours I'll be used to it.GoodnightOld Goat Old Goat at Damascus, VA, when Sue arrived - Click picture to see full sizeTrestle Bridge (very high) - Click picture to see full size