Date: 2014-04-24
From: Damascus (Laurel and Shady)

To: Damascus (Laurel and Shady)
Miles today: 0.0

I am still in Damascus recovering. My left Achilles is still very sore and I may stay in town one more day to heal. I will decide tomorrow. I also plan to take it slow for several days after I begin hiking again. This morning at breakfast I ran into Tandem and she said her father Buzz is at the clinic because of open sores on his feet that won't heal. I hope to bump into them later today and see how Buzz is doing.Yesterday I saw more hikers that I know, Mack, AYCE, and Frankie the Sleeper arrived in town and are leaving today. This morning I ran into Cornwall, Gargamel and Cowboy at the library. Gargamel and Cowboy were sick for three days with the Norovirus. They didn't stop hiking, pushing 16 to 27 miles days and throwing up all day. They are just invincible and unstoppable. Cornwall escaped the virus, so far. Last night I ran into the Appalachian Trail Conservatory Ridge Runner Razor. He is driving five days north and will hike south to gather information about sick hikers on the trail. He said Norovirus is clearly spreading on the trail. I need to heal and get out of town. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) last year put signs up everywhere with instructions about Norovirus prevention. This year we are seeing antibacterial soaps in shelters. I purchased some bleach cleaning-wipes that I will use it to keep my hands clean and supplemented my antibacterial soap with regular soap. Cleanliness, no food sharing, and minimal human contact is the recommended prevention.   Spring arrived in Damascus and the mountains the last few days in a big way. I looked at the mountains today and leaves are bursting from the trees. The dingy mountain brown is quickly being replaced with a palette of different hues of green. The dogwood trees are blooming and many other trees should start bursting into spring blossoms soon. I expect the next week or two will be incredibly colorful in the mountains. In town Tulips, Dandelions, and many other spring flowers are coloring flower gardens, walkways and trails. People are cutting grass, planting vegetables and flowers in town. What a great day to just take it easy and heal. Yesterday I soaked my feet and today I will do the same while sitting in the pleasantly warm sun under a deep blue cloudless sky. I mustn't forget sunblock.   I hope it completely distracts me from my fear of the Norovirus. However, just before arriving in town I ran into a swarm of mosquitoes. They also are now active so it is to the store to buy repellent for the trail.    I tried to purchase a new short pants today and went to all three outfitters. Nothing fit; my waist size is down 3 or 4 sizes. There is a scale at the hostel and I am down 10 pounds.Damascus is gearing-up for trail days, May 15th and 16th. This town of 900 people will grow to an estimated 20,000 on that weekend. Trail days is vital to the town's survival and it can make or break many local businesses.I highly recommend the Hiker Inn Hostel. It is clean, well run, has the nicest owners, and is now my first place hostel with Top of Georgia in Hiawassi now second. Dave's in Damascus is my last place hostel, followed closely by Suches and Johnny's in Erwin, Tennessee as poorly run and dirty places to stay.Going to buy food now. If you don't hear from me for several days it means I left town for the trail.RW: Really Wrecked.