Date: 2010-04-29
From: Damascus

To: Damascus - Dancing Bear
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

A roof, warm bed, pillow, flushing toilet, what's there not to like? Woke up around 6:00. Others still sleeping so I just enjoyed the fact that with exception of a full bladder, I was comfy. Then one hiker got up, the clock alarm went off for some reason at 6:45 so time to get up.The radio station playing was, well, Southern. It was fun to listen to.7:00, started my walk to the Dairy King. 2 biscuits and gravy, 2 eggs over-easy and coffee. Nice. The TV was on. Market over 11,000. Nice. Big oil spill off the coast of New Orleans. Bummer. Then the President got on to talk about the leak. What a loser. Then Cramer got on to talk about the new regulation on the Stock Market. Obama=Socialism, more government control. Go figure. With breakfast over, went back to my bunk. Packed. Sat for a bit. Went outside and started to update my journals. Stayed until 11:00, grabbed my pack, crossed the street to head over to the Dancing Bear where I have reservations for the next 2 nights.One of the owners is in back. I introduced myself, talked a bit and checked in. She gave me a $10 break per night since the room is for four and I am by myself. I went up the stairs and entered my room. A full one-bedroom layout, living room, dining room, plasma TV, large bedroom and bath. Very comfy. Spoiled.During breakfast, I came up with my plan. Kick back, open my mail drop that I picked up after breakfast, take a bath, go to the Dollar General for food and other things:FOOD ITEMS/CALORIES-1/2 gallon chocolate milk/1,680-1 dozen eggs/1,200-1 pound of 73/27 ground beef/1,170-8 hamburger buns/800-4 cinnamon buns/1,240-1 can of corn/280-6 mini Moon Pies/780-1 6oz of chocolate covered raisins/680-1 4pk of king size peanut butter cups/400-1 box mint thin cookies/1,280-1 box blueberry Pop-Tarts/1,600-1 8oz cheese slices (12)/720-2 @ 6oz Planters honey roasted peanuts/1,920-1 14oz pk of Skittles/1,530-2 @ 1 3/8oz of honey roasted peanuts/460-1 2L bottle of Mountain Dew/880-1 32oz bottle of Gatorade/200-1 24oz bottle of Gatorage/150NON-FOOD ITEMS-0.7mm lead refills-1 pkg of 10 extra large bandagesA solid 16,000-17,000 calories. This is in addition to my mail drop. Nice.I stopped at the Mount Rogers Outfitters to check on repairing my pack. My sternum strap is ripping. I also found out more about the 24 mile slack. Well, OK, I am not taking a double zero. A 24 slack is better than a second zero.It is late with a pick-up time of 10:00. That will make a late return. Hopefully before the sun sets. My return time on Saturday is 9:00. A bit better. I want to pound out 20+ most of the way to my next stop in Pearisburg, 163 miles from Damascus.Near 6:00. Ate lunch, a pack of butter noodles, cookies, cinnamon bun, Moon Pie, chocolate milk, pack of Pop-Tarts. Hanging, updating journals. Going back to Dollar General for epson salts.I was going to have my pack sewn, but then I decided I would tape it with duct tape. I only need a very small amount. Dollar store had a big roll for $3.00. The Outfitters had the small rolls 2 for $5.00. Much more for much less. So instead I paid $1.00 for a sewing kit. After 10 minutes to thread the needle, I started to sew. I think it might work. Time will tell.Took my epson salt bath. Watched some South Park, Weather Channel, snacked. Cooked 9 eggs. 3 soft boiled, ate those. 6 other are hard boiled for hiking.Now getting late. Time for bed. Nice zero day. Very productive.