Date: 2014-05-12
From: Damascus

To: Damascus
Miles today: 0.0

Having been on the trail for over a month and with time to reflect during my zero today, I have a few general observations on the trip so far.First, hiking the AT is hard, in a number of dimensions. It's hard physically, walking six to ten hours a day, climbing up and down mountains, and arriving in camp each evening with tired legs and sore feet. It's hard parting ways with the many awesome people you meet along the way, though I learned from Puzzle to say "see you later" rather than "goodbye," as you never know when you might reunite with an old friend unexpectedly. For example, two days after One began his big push to Pearisburg, VA and I thought I'd seen the last of him, 3-G and I were walking up the road in Hampton, TN when I spotted a backpack sitting on the sidewalk with distinctive liter-size Coke bottles attached to its shoulder straps. 3-G and I made a quick left turn into the laundromat/sub shop to find One finishing off a late lunch. Turns out while 3-G and I took the side trail into town, One had hitched from a point further north on the trail, and we'd converged in town, even though he was 10 trail miles ahead of us. I really do think we've now seen the last of One for a while, as he pulled a 33-miler into Damascus on Saturday and left Sunday a few hours before we arrived in town.And finally, it's hard being away from my family. I talk by phone with my wife and daughter every few days, but it isn't the same as being with them. I can't imagine how military members can handle being away from loved ones for months or years at a time.I've found that, even though I'm generally the slowest out of camp each morning, getting an early start is hugely beneficial. Having 6-8 miles under your belt by pre-lunch, or 10-12 by noon makes days so much easier. I expect this will become increasingly important as summer approaches and brings with it unbearable mid-day heat.I've learned not to push myself to get to trail magic. There's plenty of it out there, so just let it come to you.Lance blisters early and often.The locals we've met along the way have been almost universally friendly and hospitable. If you want to restore your faith in humanity, don't watch the news on TV, go hike the AT.Speaking of which, I've been in a complete news blackout for weeks. Prior to hitting the trail, I routinely scanned the front page of the Boston Globe each morning to stay on top of current events. Since then, I've managed to keep track of my beloved Bruins as they navigate the NHL playoffs, but little else. A five-month swath of famous people will pass away, and I'll never know about it. On the other hand, 3-D, a rabid football fan from Georgia, kept AZ, ABear, and me abreast of the NFL draft the other night at Moreland Gap Shelter, staying up late into the night as a new first-round selection was made every 10 minutes.In addition to being a hiker-friendly town, Damascus surely has more bike rental shops per square mile than any place in America.The restorative power of a zero day is amazing. Thirty hours ago, when we first entered Damascus, I was limping around on my aching feet like a rodeo cowboy. Now I'm sitting by a river, feet soaking in the cool water, watching a stream of thru-hikers enter town with the same hobble I had yesterday.And speaking of arriving thru-hikers, I bumped into two-fifths of the Gang of Five at the Blue Blaze Cafe during a late lunch today. Flatlander and The Kid pushed ahead of the rest of the gang a few days ago and are making a quick pit stop in town today before tenting a few miles north on the trail tonight. The other three, Lieutenant Dan, Medic, and Kinetic apparently got swept up in the party the Riff-Raff trail magic has become and aren't due in Damascus for another day or two.