Date: 2008-05-16
From: Pearisburg, VA

To: Damascus, VA (Trail Days)
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

Ah what a fine day. Started out very early this morning, 5 AM to be exact. Hitched a ride with great Photographer to Trail Days. He had a full load that is for sure. 9 of us plus two dogs in the back of a pickup truck and countless people in the actual cab of the truck. It was a tight 2 hour ride down the interstate. Needless to say it was very memorable! We made it to Damascus before 8 and were dropped off at Tent City. It was $5 to camp for the weekend. Most people were still sleeping, but I found a great tent site near the woods by Kyonite, Sunkist, and Brown Bag. After a good 2 hour nap I headed out to see town. Since I had been in town several weeks ago it made it really easy to know where things were. I hit up the library where I ran into Bar Fight! I had not seen her since Franklin where she got off the trail for a few days. She made it into Damascus and is now about 150miles behind. It was great to see her and I enjoyed hearing about her adventures. I then walked around town looking at the vendors and things to do. I ran into Aggie and Brad who had picked up my new shoes from Bland on the way down. I am very thankful for Brad who helped me get it all worked out. They had rented a car and drove down with Bus Driver, Mr Bones, and Stubbs. My new shoes are pretty cool looking, and I am sure hoping they will hold up. I think they are definetly worth more than I paid for my first pair but a big thanks to Merrill for helping me fix the problem so fast! One more surprise included seeing Jackie again! He was part of the Easter Bash way back. He was driving by and gave me a ride to the store for some snacks. He even called Lotus and I was able to talk to her as well. He is such a cool guy and I was very happy to have had the chance to see him again. Thanks for all you do, you rock!   At night there was a bunch of free food being handed out. I gorged myself on chips, pasta, cookies, and brownies. There was also amazing chili to be had. After the food there was a giant bonfire and live music. I enjoyed the music and danced for several hours. I enjoy any live music, but this guy was great at what he did. After the show was over I headed back to hang out by the fire and took in the day. It was a Great day walking around town and meeting so many amazing people.Saturday brought the parade, in which it is pretty much an all out waterfight between the hikers and the townsfolk. How cool to walk down a street spraying kids and folks with water? It was so much fun and I truly enjoyed walking through town wearing a santa hat and spraying folks with my two squirt guns! It was very hard not to have a good time, everyone was smiling and enjoying themselves. I later watched the talent show in which Punchline preformed and tied for first. He is a funny guy! From there I continued to walk around I was looking to buy a new pack but didn't find what I was looking for. My beast will continue to rock on.    Spent the rest of the night around bonfires jamming out to live music! There were several bluegrass types hanging out by a large fire for hours. You can't beat live music. I also met another fellow from Eau Claire. I tell you we are slowly and quietly taking over the trail. That will be five people I have met or have heard about out here! I also met some other nice new folks and enjoyed the atmosphere of the fire. Sunday was another day about trail community. I woke up way to early, took down my tent and made myself a sign to get a ride back North. As I was walking into town a dude in a pickup truck asked if I needed a ride to Perisburg... Why yes I did and I had a few friends who needed the same. Low Gear was a really awesome trail Angel. He waited for people to take down their tent, and then drove us to the outfitters to get a few last minute things. We then hit the road. He dove us to his hometown where we hit an amazing AYCE KFC, so much good food. We gorged ourselves and left happy. From there he drove us all the way back to Pearisburg. How great of him to go past his home for fellow hikers. I was very thankful and heard some great stories along the way. Thanks again LOW GEAR! You are amazing!   We decided to stay the night in a motel to make it a real 3 day zero. It was nice to have some time to rest up and get organized before hitting the trail again. After 3 zero days I am very happy to be heading back out. The trail is calling and I must go!SUN BEAM