Date: 2008-06-13
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Miles today: 0.0

I can say this with certainty, Time flies¢¦I drove up to Damascus where I began another escapade. This time it was only two weeks long, but it was packed with adventure and fun.I arrived at Hopalong and Whirly Bird's home where I met them and Long Island Iced Tea (LIIT), his better half, Slugger, their 9 month old son Adam and DaBear. Jackie the wonder dog was there too.The party was going and I jumped in. Later sometime the next morning I woke in my tent by the trailhead feeling like a light weight.After the first of many feasts we hiked southbound against the grain towards the Grayson Highlands. We choose the Pine Mountain trail (old A/T) and found a wonderful camp. I thoroughly enjoyed hiking with everyone. It was magical. We cooked over and enjoyed big warm fires and long nights talking and dreaming. Adam was a very happy young camper.During Trail Days we set up base camp on the Creeper Trail about 4 miles out of town.It was very comfortable and quiet with only the sound of falling water in the nearby creek. We all had bikes and rode down the trail into town several times. I took part in the hiker parade and had fun with my soaker water gun. There were many who were missing and some I wish I got to talk to longer. This year there was a $5 charge to visit or camp in Tent City. I went down, got my poles serviced, walked the area, and returned one other time on Saturday night to see the campfires. Police presence was overwhelming. I wonder if Trail Days needs a new home. I have always liked Damascus but this year something did not seem right. I have thought about the town, the locals, the police, the economy, the hikers and the inappropriate behavior and have decided trail days is broken and I¢m not sure how it can be fixed. Maybe it¢s better to just plan a more intimate reunion with good friends at another location and time. We had such a great time hiking and camping together that LIIT and family extended their time with us. We drove down to the Greasy Creek Friendly and hiked north up over Roan Mountain for a few more nights in the forest. After LIIT and family left DaBear and I continued north heading to the Over Mountain Shelter (barn) and back south to Greasy Creek Friendly where we enjoyed a nice night with Connie. The three of us (Connie, DaBear and I) spent the night by the beautiful firepit sitting, talking and watching the starry night sky.The next morning we said good bye to Connie and drove to the Tri-City Airport where DaBear flew home and I headed back home. It was a privilege to be in trail world with such wonderful new friends LIIT, Slugger, Adam, Jackie and as always DaBear!The forest was green with lush grasses and ferns still unfurling under a budding or newly leafed canopy. There were many wild ponies grazing and approaching posing for photo¢s and allowing a pet. We hiked across many open meadows and I enjoyed wide open vistas. The areas we hiked were some of the southern A/T¢s best and were unbelievably beautiful. We explored well off trail finding secret meadows and special times. Eventually I began to realize it was time to return home and I am there now. The memories of this adventure are filed away with all the other wonderful ones. I replay them often and I¢m always rewarded with a happy glow which warms my heart. Soon I will take my gear and head north for the summer. I am hoping I get a chance to walk in the north woods. To all ahead of me I ask only to leave some fire wood. To those behind I wish you luck finding any. Until next time I wish you all peace and happiness.