Date: 2008-05-17
From: Zero in Damascus

To: 2nd Zero in Damascus.
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

What a night! Getting up was a little slower this morning, however once Topshelf started firing up the grill for breakfast, I came alive.Eggs & potatoes don't draw much attention, but put the bacon on and everyone notices. A first class tent side breakfast, courtesy of Topshelf. Joining us this morning was Alaska. We haven't seen her for quite some time. She had left the trail to be with her mother whom was hospitalized. Best wishes to her mother from all of us. Alaska will be back on the trail soon.The energy of the crowd was reving up. Today was the Trail Days parade.A must see for anyone, I can best describe it as a Hiker Marti-Gras Damascus style. There were atleast 2000 Hikers and former thru-hiker alumni, walking down the main streets that have been closed off. Many are wearing a wide aray of costumes. The really cool part is that the towns people, young & old line up on the curbsand bombard the hikers with water ballons, squirt guns, buckets of water, hoses you name it. Of course, they are fair game as well. The kids were born into this tradition, what fine soldiers they are becoming.Unfortunately, just before the parade started, my camera battery died. I forgot the spare, it was to far to go back for. Hopefully I can rely on others for pictures? What a blast though, words can not capture the moment. You have to see it to believe it.Afterward, Topshelf drove Sprite to the Abbington hospital. Freckles & I went as well. Sprite's bronchitus needed to be confirmed with an x-ray then treated.Hopefully, she can rid herself of that dreaded cough she has sufferd so much with? The ride was enjoyable, it was a different perspective on what is beyond the trail, however none of us, missed the traffic or noise.Back at tent city, Topshelf fired up the grill again for hamburgers, beans, corn, well you get the idea. It is a tough life on the AT.Sitting back taking everything in, observing the people and reflecting on the Trail Days experience, I don't want to forget a thing. Truthfully, there is just no way to keep up and retain all that has happened? The laughter, aloneis worth a lifetime of memory.My journal has barely touched on the hi-lites. It isn't important that I remember every rock & leaf, nor the tricky climbs and descents, and the awesome views are a given.I want to remember the people I shared this with. When the mention of a trail name instantly brings many things to mind, then I know I have focused properly.So as I sit here, seeing familiar faces walk by, along with those I haven't met,I am trying to commit to memory all that I can.I have completed nearly 500 miles. I still have over 3 times that ahead of me.However, it's not about the miles. It's about what fills the pages along the way. I still have difficulty believing I am actually here and creating my own AT legacy. Yet, I am here, I am one of the lucky ones, for that I am thankful.I am aware of little changes occuring in myself. Perspective, change of opinionand more acceptance. These sound small on their own, however seeing something different than the way you saw it before, can have a ripple effect on the rest of your life?For me, this is an additional side journey. I do love adventure.I wonder how it will end? Or better yet, I wonder what it will start?Mmmm.... This is a good hamburger.