Date: 2015-05-07
From: Abingdon Gap Shelter, TN

To: 470.7 campsite, VA
Miles today: 11.8

Day 38, Abingdon Gap Shelter, TN to 470.7 campsite, VA - 11.8 miles:After one of my better nights of sleep with the help of sleeping pills, I woke feeling energized for the first time in the past few days. With no set goal for the day other than reaching Damascus, VA as early in the day as possible, we were on the trail covering the last handful of Tennessee miles by 7:30am. The going was very easy and the miles passed quickly as Moosehead, Hobble, Rock Boat and I passed the time by joking about this thing or that and listening to music of the 80's and 90's. The last several miles provided little to nothing as far as views so on through Unnamed Gap and Backbone Rock until we finally rounded a corner and the sign signifying the TN-VA border had been reached. Wanting to get in Damascus, now only ~3.5 away, we took a quick picture and were back at it.We paused a bit later after Hobble announced that William, our host on Lake Watauga, had completed the video he shot with his drone orf us crossing Watauga Dam. I have posted it on my Facebook wall and it can also be viewed on his YouTube channel: wbush121 along with several other drone videos. Great work, William, and thanks again to you and your dad for being such gracious, giving hosts.A few more downhill miles and we were exiting the woods in the middle of a neighborhood in Damascus. Though a bit small and lacking of any real activity worth noting, the town is nearing the eve of its annual week-long celebration, Trail Days, culminating in the final weekend which celebrates past and current thru-hikers alike. We walked through an empty park along a small river and through downtown where the occasional car passed or hiker scurried from one outfitter to another. However, over the next week, an average of 15,000-20,000 people will squeeze into this town over the course of 7 days to enjoy live music, food and beverages, lectures, outdoor vendors, and an overall giant party. We will be continuing on with our hike throughout the week, but plan to return next Thursday and enjoy a couple of days experiencing an event that makes this one of the trail's best trail towns.We dropped into Bobo's for lunch and a place to charge our gadgets. I had my usual pitcher or 2 of Coke along with blackened chicken and waffels smothered in syrup, and a side of mac n' cheese to boot. An hour later I drifted across the street to Dollar General where I did a light resupply of essential goods: Snickers, Butterfingers, Star Crunch, tuna, fruity pebble bars, and a tube of Desitin (diaper rash cream). I then returned across the street and, sitting on a bench alongside Moosehead and Rock Boat, condensed and organized my newly purchased goods into my food bag. During this time 2 Bad Dogs showed up (a husband and wife duo who completed the PCT last year) and we were able to catch up a bit. I haven't seen them since the NOC back in North Carolina; they might be a couple of the nicest hikers on the trail.After my bag was repacked, we headed over to Hey Joe's, a Mexican restaurant, with the intention of simply having a couple of drinks while our gadgets finished charging. After nearly 2 hours, we decided we had loitered long enough and would at least stay and have dinner as well. We all got overstuffed burritos filled with chicken, steak, rice, beans, and cheese. It definitely hit the spot. Before our time in town was done, Moosehead and I ran to the post office where I sent home the last of my cold weather gear. It has been known to be cold in the Grayson Highlands area, even in the summer months, so hopefully I didn't act too soon. With heavier, resupplied food bags and stomachs stretched to their limits, we returned to the trail with plans to simply get to the first place that looked nice. It's a good thing we weren't picky because a half mile of sweaty, uphill climbing, we found our current camping spot.I found a log set up horizontal between 2 trees that I will be cowboy camping under again. Moosehead and Hobble are currently playing Rummie; Rock Boat is on the phone with his wife like always. Also joining us at camp tonight is a couple from Indiana, Hoosier and Bambi, as well as another couple, most recently from New York City, Why Not and Which Way. The next several days, for now anyways, consist of daily averages of 15-16 miles in order to hit Marion, VA by Monday.Rock Boat just walked by and crop-dusted me, calling out "serves up," initiating the fart pong game. I was unable to return serve and must end the day a loser. I conclude this entry by sharing that I'll be retiring under my makeshift tent for the night and applying copious amounts of both Desitin and Gold Bond in order to ease the chaffing acquired during yesterday's hike. I will be doing so, though, on a ridgetop ~5 miles into my 4th state. All is good.- Cambo