Date: 2014-07-05
From: Abingdon Gap Shelter

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 10.0

Today I awoke as usual, about 5:30 am and hit the trail about 6:30 on this my last day of hiking the AT in 2014. While a bit sad I was also excited to be nearer the reunion with Cathy. That was still two days off as my friend Walter would not arrive to retrieve me until Sunday and we would head home on Monday. And then we will likely have to wait until the PO opens to get the box I mailed there over a month ago. I doubt my easy pace today will get me the ten miles to town before the PO closes at 11.The trail down from the shelter was even more gentile than the day before. I was gliding down enjoying the chilly morning and bright sunlight filtering through the forest. Hold it! Another bear! Right on the trail with his back to me. Picture time? Gotta get closer. Tried that but failed as he slide off into the forest with hardly a noise. Probably watched as I passed his hiding place. Passed a small group of hikers heading up as I approached town. The AT enters town from this direction right past someone's side yard. The couple was on the back porch. They hardly gave me a glance. Can you imagine how many hikers they see? Next you cross into a city park through an official looking archway. From there the AT hits Main Street and follows it through town. I was advised, again by Bob People's, to stay at Dave's Place Hostel. It's owned and operated by the Mt. Rogers Outfitters located right across Main Street. And both are about dead center in the town. Very convenient. One attraction was that the hostel is small, has individual rooms that sleep only two, and each room is keyed for gear security. At $21 per night a good deal. Checking in I learned that there is no coin laundry in town. It closed two years ago. That meant I would remain i. n my hiking clothes until tomorrow to help keep town clothes clean for two days of use. Once gear was stowed, the first order of business was...a shower...nope skipped that for the moment and went to find lunch. That turned out to be an adventure too. My philly cheesesteak sandwich came complete with ground pieces of bone. Yuk! Exchanged for a less than average cheeseburger. I spent the rest of the day walking the town. Visited a few interesting shops. A long nap was welcomed too. Later two other hikers who I knew from the trail stopped by...Wounded Knee and John Wayne..now Chef John Wayne. These guys still hope to make Maine before the trail to Katadin closes. They will need to continue hiking fast and long. Both will be leaving Damascus tomorrow. They welcomed some of my extra food supply that, of course, I don't need now.All in all a rather slow but enjoyable day once in Damascus. Dinner was a calzone. Real good but the smallest size was too big for me to finish. After dinner and alone at the hostel, I spent time updating this journal, and getting gear ready to move to another hostel tomorrow when Walter arrives. This hostel requires the use of your own sleeping pad and bag, which Walter will not have. I found a hostel with real beds so tomorrow is both Sunday and relocation day. "If you are lucky enough to be hiking in the woods, you are lucky enough."Blessings,