Date: 2003-05-16
From: Damascus

To: Damascus
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

I slept only from three to eight this morning. I had breakfast plans with DocVapor, Stretch and Roam at the the Ol' Barn at 10 a.m. I walked over to the party area on the other side of the campground where I knew I could find a cup of coffee. I got a pink pancake to boot! I also invited Gary to join us for breakfast. Because he was driving, I had a little extra time to goof around so I gathered my direty clothes to take to the laundrymat before we left. Breakfast was awesome! I ate two pancakes and two eggs. Roam couldn't finish her Mexican Omlet so I ate at least half of that, too. After breakfast I went to the laundrymat to do a load. After, I walked around town to collect a couple items - a latch to repair my necklace and other items I found at the Dollar General (a journal, for one). I planned to see JoJo Smiley's slideshow about the Florida Trail and the International AT; it was at two and I had finished my errands about quarter after one. I tried to take a nap on the lawn of the Rock Auditorium. After JoJo's presentation I went up to the campground, dropped my packages, fixed my necklace, collected my sleeping bag and a couple of skipped-over dirty clothes - I'd be making another trip to the laundromat. I went back to the auditorium to see Dutch Treat perform with Nimblewill Nomad. It was an extraordinarily uplifting presentation. Nimblewill Nomad spoke eloquently and passionately about wandering, health and awe that brought tears to my eyes. I left there and walke leisurely to the laundromat. When I arrived Hopeful and Sprout were out front!!! What a joyous reunion! We shared stories and caught up on so much that had happened since Hot Springs. While our laundry washed we talked to Ox who had arrived, too.I took a ride from Ox back to the campground. I checked in with the guys with the Granite Gear traveling sewing machine van. I explained that I had been having trouble hiking in my current skirt due to the intense rains we have been having on the trail. I asked if I brought my tyvek groundcloth over, could we fashion a wrap-around, velcro at the top, rain skirt. He said sure. I ambled off to get my Tyvek. When I returned, he suggested that I use some material they had on hand which he said was waterproof and breathable. GREAT! "Let's do it!" He used my current hiking skirt as a pattern for the new one. Within ten minutes I was able to walk away with a wonderful new skirt! Then, I did some stuff for me - like relaxing. I know you think all that stuff I listed about me day was "for me" - but going to town is a LOT of work. I took it easy and sat to listen to Dutch Treat and Takoma Ted play music. It was yet another awesome, healing part of my day. Around 10 that evening, I went to socialize with others in the campground. I hung out with Gary for a while, stood by the drum circle for a bit and met TABA (that stands for There And Back Again). He plans to yo-yo his hike. He, like Peels who I met the first week on the trail, is a cyclist turned hiker. We talked, met up with Ox and his friend Torn, who is starting her Southbound hike in June. We went over to Ox's tent where I ate the absolute best Oreos I have ever had in my entire life. I must have been hungry. When we dispersed, I went over to Miss. Janet's and joined some new folks. I met Leif from Trail Journals. I hung out there until the police came in and sprayed pepper spray in the drum circle (trying to get one person under control) scattering hikers to every which direction. It was time for me to call it a night. When I got back to my tenting area, Groovy was talking to someone in a tent adjacent to mine. I couldn't see who it was so I said, "Hi, my name is Leanna." He said "Hi, my name is Play-Doh." I was so excited to see him, I jumped on inside his tent and gave him a huge hug. Oh was a great time we had catching up and talking about my hike, hearing stories from his hike. I got to hear all about his new job. Time flew by as we talked. Play-doh and I took an early morning walk around 5:30 and watched the tiny town awake. We got a coffee at Mollies, then walked over to Cowboy's for breakfast - where I saw Papa and Pirate. But now, I'm on the the next day...read tomorrow's entry to find out what happens next...