Date: 2011-05-10
From: Double Springs Shelter

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 18.2
Weather: overcast clouds

Cruiser and I got up and began packing our camps by 6:15 because there was rumbles of thunder in the distance and we both wanted dry tents in our packs for the day's hike. Instead of hitting the trail immediately, I went back down to the shelter to cook breakfast. Mt Dew had run out of canister fuel yesterday morning so I have been letting him use my stove to cook with until we get to Damascus where he can get another canister for his JetBoil.By 8:30 I was on the trail northbound with my pack cover on and rumbles of thunder in the distance. The day was mostly on well graded trail with relatively minor ups and downs along the crest of the same ridge system we have been following since yesterday morning. I stopped several times to look at a scarlet tanager and to search for a black-billed cuckoo that I couldn't ever see, and at a hooded warbler. Every time I see or hear a hooded warbler I think of Copperhead describing the one she saw as a "canary wearing a black balaclava"!I stopped for lunch at Abingdon Gap Shelter with Bear Sweats, Mt Dew and Blue Sky. I needed water so Goldie and I volunteered to go the 0.2 down to the spring. The hot and humid day made me glad to carry a full load of water; I had already finished 3 liters and this would be my last opportunity to fill until town, 10 miles away.I got to the VA state line sign a minute before Goldie did so was able to take a picture for him at the sign. This is a real milestone for Thru-hikers. About 460 miles have been walked so far, and you are entering VA, the longest single state on the Trail and about one quarter of the entire trail itself. In addition, Trail Days are coming soon, and the famed Grayson Highlands are just a few days walk away. Most hikers have hit their stride now and are sending home colder weather gear for lighter warmer weather gear and thus expect to be picking up the pace after leaving Damascus.Because it was only mid afternoon, I contined on into town with Goldie. Once in town we headed straight for "The Place", the well known and generally crowded hiker Hostel and bunkhouse. I stayed here during my '07 hike and remembered it well. We both got bunks inside, but there were already a dozen tents pitched on the lawn. We found it just as crowded and hectic as I had remembered it. Buffalo Bobby and Trolley Stop were already there along with most of the hikers I have gotten to know on this section hike. After a quick shower in a very dirty communal bathroom I headed to Quincy's Pizza and Grill for dinner where everyone was gathering. We had 20+ hikers at a long set of tables for most of the evening. Great fun, and a great way for me to end the miles for this section hike! Pebbles and Clean Shave were there having both completed their 50+ mile hikes into Damascus in little over 24 hours. They were both in good spirits and still walking. Impressive!Don't know what I'll do for the next few days, but laundry is top of the list! It's good to be sleeping indoors tonight because a series of strong thunderstorms is rolling thru and lots of rain is falling hard. However, I hate to be leaving the Trail and the good folks I've met along the way.