Date: 2013-05-22
From: Damascus VA - Trail Days

To: Partnership shelter
Miles today: 63.7
Weather: clear sky

5/18/2013 9.4 milesFrom Damascus to Saunders ShelterWhat a night and day and evening! So last night the hoopla of Trail Days, who can be the loudest group continued. I got very little sleep so around 10:30 or so I decided to go see what was up. First, on my way (kinda) i saw Killer getting water. We talked for a bit then went our ways. She to bed and me to the Port-A-Potty. ummm Just Saying!!! It was about to overflow!!! Nasty!!!! But yep i still went!!! "When Nature Calls"Second, The drums and Hoopla!!! They had a big Bon Fire going and white people were half naked and dancing like they were trying to bring in the rain. Lol. They were having fun, and although it's not my thing I was kinda happy seeing everyone find happiness and fellowship in life their own way. I then retreated to my tent and pretended I was sleeping!! Today I woke, got a shave and shower, then just walked around for a while. I then went to the outfitter and got a few things I needed. One being a new shirt (Neon Green) and a Orange Waterproof jacket both by Outdoor Research. I like them already and I've only had them one day. The green matches my neon green toenail polish. I put on a new coat this morning. I figure what the heck! (Thanks Makalha) I also got new socks and a new gadget (I can hear my buddy Alphus in my brain, "Gadget Whore") lol I do love my gadgets!!! I got a solar power gadget charger!!! Yay!!! Everyone I've seen on the trail works good so I thought, "why not". Later I was going to hike in the Thru Hiker parade. Several people where from 2023. Then an odd thing happen. Some lady (kinda creepy) came up to me. Asked I'd I knew where last years thru hikers where. I said no, I'm a 2013. She laughed in a evil kinda way. I asked what was funny. She giggled strangely again and then said, "I wouldn't walk in the parade if I were you, might jinks yourself." I stud there for a moment, kinda creeped out and a little perplexed in the head. I thought about it for a few min, and decided to not walk in the parade. Then later at the parade (the reason I stayed in Damascus so long) there was an accident in regards to an older man in a car having a heart attach or something. He it the gas and ran into 8 hikers. Very sad!!! So they ended the parade. Strange from the lady earlier and then this happing. Maybe it was an angel sent to have me not be in the parade so I didn't get hurt. I do believe in those things. Hmmmm well I try to listen to that voice in my head when it tells me to do something for my good. And I did. I then decided it was time for me to continue my journey. I have everything I could need now (except my mini projector, which I'm going to have shipped soon, Thanks Toi (my sister) I'll get you the details later). I then went and said my goodbyes to Mercury and Killer. Said by to lots of people I've meet in the last month and week. Kind of bittersweet. I really do hope to bump into them again. Killer, Mercury, and And Stuff most. They have become people I relate to and feel will finish. Maybe we'll all finish together? Or close to it. I then went to pack all my stuff up. These great ladies camping near me allowed me to pack up under there tents (big ones), so I didn't get all my stuff wet from the drizzle. I kinda got really emotional talking about why I'm on this journey and about mom. I was a crying 38 year old who felt like I did when mom passed. I almost broke down. It was an eye opening moment for me tho. It let me know how much I still need this trip and to grieve properly. I haven't done that. I stopped by subway on my way out of town. Yummy!!!! Then headed for what I thought would be a 4-5 mile walk just to get ahead of the potential crowd tomorrow leaving Damascus. I ended up doing the 9.4 to the shelter (although the sign said 8.5, my book says 9.4, so I'm going with that). 45 min of which were night hiking by head light. It was nice. I saw two deer and the glow of the green moss on everything was magnificent! Lucky I got to the shelter and only two people are in it. Story (lady) and an older gentleman who I can't remember his name. Ate an almond Snicker bar and some gummies. Drank fluids and now about to call it a night! Well I'm out!!! Tired!!! Later!!!! 5/19/2013 18.6 miles.From Saunders Shelter to Thomas Knob ShelterWhat a day! So I didn't sleep all that well last night until I hung my pack from the mice then put in some earplugs I bought. Thought I'd give them a try. It didn't stop noise but it did silence it some. I awoke this morning with Story and the older guy pretty much packed. I ate, packed, petted Walter (dog), then headed out. The day was pretty much up hill like everyday. I did get a decent view on top of Whitetop Mtn. Most of the day was spent in rain. At least it wasn't windy and freezing also. For a while I hiked with Story and the older guy just to slow my pace a little cause my quad was hurting. Really everyday something else hurts out here. Lol I had a moment today where I was like, "maybe I'll stop at 500 miles". It was strange? I kinda felt like I was ready for the journey to end. As most everyone knows, although Maine is my Goal, my destination is finding myself and working out the grief I have over my mothers death. I started to feel like I was better, that I kinda know what road I want to take with my career. And yesterday's episode with the older ladies helped me a lot regarding Mom. I felt like 500 miles would be a great stoping point. I also wondered where Killer and Mercury were? If they started back hiking yet? Just FYI you two, they lied again when they said it was downhill after Damascus!! LolMy only thing was that I really wasn't sure? Had I decided?? Had I had my grieving moment I came out here to have??? I then just told myself, "To see where the day takes you, and at the end of the day if you still feel this way, then we will make tomorrow's 500 miles the breakthrough day!!!!!"By the time I had hiked another 7 miles and that was up Mt Rogers I had realized I was just having a moment of hating going up hill all day. My Destination wasn't complete and although I am figuring things out I'm def a long ways from being there. Emotions are strange, just when you think you have a grip on them you realize you don't. :-)So here I lay after a meal and a pee. In my tent with nothing but rain around me. It's a good day!! I hiked another up hill day - 18.6 miles, and right now I'm ready for the other 1,694.5 miles left!!!! Not that far at all!!!! Later!!!! 5/20/2013 16 miles.From Thomas Knob Shelter to Hurricane Mtn Shelter When you ask for something be specific. This is what I tell people when they pray to God. I on the other-hand did not follow my advice! I asked God for a more Flat and Downhill day. I got that, but what I forgot to add was no mud, rain, rocks, and roots. So God gave me down and flat, and then he added all those others... Lol On an awesome note: I got wild ponies and long horn cattle as well. Although it was rainy most of the day it really was a good day. I did get one blister on my left heal, but not to bad! The great news is that I passed the 500 mile mark!!! Wooohooo!!!! I'm just blown away how awesome it feels. Like i said the day was rainy, the trail mostly flat and down, except the last part to the shelter, but it was the easiest part of the day. It was a nice grade up Hurricane Mtn, then a nice one down (although the guide book says the shelter is higher, it was mistaken). I'll have to let them know. Mistake 2 I've noticed in the book, ooo yeah 3. There was a typo. NOTE TO ATC: Hurricane Mtn Shelter is not at 4,300 it's a lot lower! Made it to camp and it's only Me, Workaholic, Walter (dog), a daughter and father and dog, and one other lady. I'm so bad with names and trail names! :-) turned into a nice dry afternoon and evening, with good conversation. Later!!!! 5/21/2013 19.7 miles.From Hurricane Mtn Shelter to Partnership ShelterThe rolling hills have arrived in Virginia as well as blisters!! Well the ear plugs work pretty well. The lady snoring next to me last night didn't really bother me. So I'm glad I have them cause the shelter tonight is a no camping one.So I woke early today and headed out at 7:30. The trail was very easy for a 19.7 miles. One big hill today, well two but the second was just big up then the trail rolled pretty nice after. I remembered yesterday that I had a mail drop coming up. But cause I haven't had Internet in 3 days I couldn't remember where. So I checked my text. Dang I supplied in Damascus to make it to Bland VA (6days) and my mail drop is in Troutdale, Today!!! So I had to leave my phone on all day to see if I would get service to call the post office to have them bounce the drop to Bland. The only service I got was Edge ( ATT slowest sorriest service ability) I quickly made the call and I will pick it up in 3 days. I must say this about ATT, for the amount of money I put out each month, I should have service always!!! They really suck!!! Ok I'm better now since I got that out. So I keep on the trail and made it to the first shelter (Trimpi shelter) in 3 hours. Cool one cause it has a fireplace in it. Didn't stay long, then headed out. Passed some section southbound hikers, then passed Beer Goddess (who is now at the shelter tonight). She's cool. She said her feet were hurting, I can understand that. My new blisters!! Yes I said BLISTERS as in two. I'm not liking these inserts at this moment!! One on my left and another developing on my right. Then my right calf started hurting again around mile 15 again today. I think my body is saying something to me... Lol Trail Magic today helped some tho. Dr. WOW... It was like Dr. Pepper. Very much needed. Then at the shelter G-Hippie from The Riff Raff group was hanging out with two others and they gave me a grape soda. YAY!!!! On a side note there were lots of snakes on the trail today. One went right over my shoe and scared the mess out of me (not literally) lol I then headed down to the Visitor Center and ordered pizza. A Supreme and a Hawaiian and a piece of pie. Another side note: I think I didn't drink enough or my waist belt was to right on my bladder today cause my pee was kinda dark. I'm thinking not enough water. If it continues I'll have to go to the doc in Bland. :-( it's cleared up since I've been here, been drinking a of water. The pizza came, delivered by the owner of the restaurant, very nice couple from India. They didn't have and French Silk Pie left so he gave me two slices of yummy chocolate cake... Yay!!! I shared my pizza (some trail magic from me) and my pie (don't go there people)!!!Now just hanging out with all the peeps. Lots I don't know. The Girl and her father from last night and her dog Bally. Mouse, Workaholic, Colby, Beer Goddess, Cat Nip, the guy with the German Shepard that attacks other dogs, and several more. Looks like the storms might roll in tonight, hope so and it doesn't rain tomorrow! Good times!!' Later!!!!