Date: 2009-05-19
From: Damascus

To: Damascus
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

Hello Everyone!!I actually have access to a computer today so I have decided to give you all a message first-hand and give my excellent transcriber (my mother) a well-deserved break!To bring everyone up to speed, Trail Days in Damascus was a circus, to say the least! That pain that had developed in my side Thursday Night kept me up all night and required attention. After being tested for kidney stones, hernia, and Appendisitus (I was sure I had a combination of all three), the very skilled doctor decided that I had over exerted myself and was having some muscle pain. After a killer shot of anti-inflammatory, I felt like a new man. But the reality of this is that I need to think like a new man, as well. Although making progress over a series of 23+ mile days is rewarding, it turned out to be reckless for me physically and I have spent the last few days paying for it. Another important lesson learned...Trail Days was crazy, in itself. There must have been a thousand tents pitched in Tent City. At many points, it seemed that some hikers and hikers friends couldn't remember if they were at Trail Days or at Woodstock and this made for a situation that was very difficult to rest up in! Regardless, it was great to see some faces that we hadn't seen for many weeks on the trail. The town was almost two miles' walk from Tent City so the prospect of getting chores done was a lot of work in itself. I decided to just relax and take advantage of the down time. A great thing is that my good friend from High School Jerri lives close in the neighboring town of Lebanon VA and she swept in to snatch me up and take care of me for a couple days. Thank you to Jerri, Charlotte, Matt, Virginia, and Dalton for two great days of food, friends, and relaxation. Did I mention food?? Charlotte has got me plumped up to what I need to be to face the woods for the next leg of the trip!Tonight I will return to Damascus to begin the long trek through Virginia. At 550 miles, it is further to Harpers Ferry WV from here than it is to walk back to Springer!! A Daunting Task. When I step foot on that Trail again this evening, I will be full of thanksgiving for this experience. Once again, I have weathered a situation that I thought might be my last and have been able to get through it. Hike Smarter, not Harder, kiddo!Once again, I was so excited to see that we have some great new people on the guestbook along for the ride. Welcome aboard Dave Sherwood (get out here!!), Mike Malloy (my first experience with mountains was with you in Frederick) and my dear friend Riche. Welcome aboard Bill and Marcie who I met that gorgeous day at Charlie's Bunyon. Two hiking superstars have graced our presence: the illustrious Phoenix Rising who I am lucky to see out here quite frequently and my dear hiking buddy Kismet--boy do we miss you! Welcome aboard Trillium and thanks for the great picture.Hopefully everyone knows that we have some important students on board for the ride and we hope they are having a great time following me. Welcome to Austin and Jasmine from Montgomery PA who are doing AT projects at school. Any questions you guys have I will do my best to answer either on here or on the email. Just remember I only get to the computer every three or four weeks.Finally to my favorite Second Graders in Las Vegas--Thank you sooooo much for your letters that made my day over and over in Damascus. We've got lots to learn together in the giant beautiful state of Virginia!Thank you to everyone for your support--it is great to have you along! Once again its time to get moving and journals will continue from the wilderness tomorrow. Until Then!