Date: 2004-04-20
From: VA 859 Grassy Creek Rd

To: US 58 STRAIGHT BRANCH
Miles today: 9.0

OK today we woke up at 6:30 in the morning. Went down and had continental breakfast. We didnt need it after pigging out yesterday. Came back to the room, got ready and were on the road at quarter til eight. I said we are going to be late. We got to town right after 8 and we pulled up behind Tom Richey in downtown Damascus. And he said Good timing. He had just got there. Tom has big Plans for Today, 16.9 miles. Parked Toms car down at the caboose in The park. 2 hour max Parking, didnt bother Tom. Tom got in with terry and we went up to find a place to put the rental car at US58, Feathercamp Branch. We are driving up Hwy 58 to the Appalachian Trail crossing further north, and let Tom out. And then we tried to park at Va 728, but no good access to the trail. Decide to get that extra one point one mile by parking at va859 grassy creek rd. Parked 1/10 up the road. Got on trail at 8:50AM. We had our first break after an hour. Thinking we maybe have done 2 1/2 miles. We just sat down on the trail, fantastic trail. Get up a little climb and get to the bridge, Luther Hassinger bridge on Virginia creeper trail. We stayed on that trail for a while, all gravel and flat, the gps said we are doing 3 mph. We tried 4 mph but that is hard to maintain in hiking boots. We had fun with that. Then you leave the creeper trail and start up a mountain on old forest roads. Not bad but we decide to stop and air our feet, and read our info, so we dont miss anything. We thought Tom would pass us any minute as we all were going south. Just as we were ready to go, Tom comes down the trail. We told him we hiked a little further then we planned. Back on the trail after a 20 min rest. We stopped for lunch at 12:24 PM. Laid the tarp out and had a nice nap, off the trail a few ft and under some pines. On a ridge with a nice breeze, almost a perfect sunny day. We felt we were well down the trail because the trail books are always wrong. I think at 1:20 and we are back on trail. We will go over one mountain and its all downhill from there. Terry just informed me that after this hill there is a shelter, then another sharp climb. We passed a snake and then saw two girls named Flora and Fauna near a pond. Lots of gals on the trail, like Semicolon and then a guy named Torey. Up the trail there was a young English guy named Nick (English police station), because he was homesick. Over here from England, but moving to Norway, but wants to finish the AT. Has a visa that expires Aug 28th. After lunch, walk on and looked for Straight Mt. Went around it and found Saunders shelter. Did not go to see it. Then switchbacks and around and around and down ( one time could see the trail 3 different switchbacks) and could see a sign saying 6 miles to Damascus which meant a 1.6 mile to our car. We think we have another 0.2 miles down to Royal Creek Gorge, very pretty. We could see the Virginia Creeper Trail down below and then it crossed over to the other side of the valley. It started to sprinkle on us about 2:45. got our rain coats and put rainfly on. We have been passing several people and they are on a mission, so no talking to them. Just so many of gals out today. Got down to Royal Creek Gorge and walked along it. Where is the car? More people pass us going north, less than 1/2 mile from the end, here comes a guy that is a real spectacle. Trash bags on him, carrying a 2 litre bottle, an old backpack. Trash bags on his arms, over his head, trash bag dress.  He says ¢do you think it's going to rain¢. There's a couple standing near the trailhead with a weineimer dog. Guys name is Bramble, big and muscular, wearing a kilt.  Girl is kate and dog Vaylee. They shook hands with us and we went down to our car at 4:15pm. Terry reminded me that we read about Bramble in trail journals. He is hiking the trail in memory of his aunt who died of breast cancer. Hes hoping people will donate to breast cancer causes. Bramble has been out 35 days and Kate joined him just this morning in Damascus. They are having a lazy day according to Bramble. They packed up his tent at 4:00 AM in Damascus and started hiking. We looked back and Bramble and Kate are walking down the road toward Damascus. They may have forgot something. We will see if they want a ride or see them in town after we get our rental car.  Went back and got the other car went into town (Damascus,Tn). Right when he drove by the Sundog outfitter, there was  Bramble, Kate and Veela. They must have got a ride into town. We drove thru town, checked out 3 B and Bs, decided to go back and get the first one, Maples, it was the cheapest. It was about the price of a hotel plus we get a good breakfast out of it. We have to share a bathroom and shower with the other guests. So we got cleaned up and walked on down to Ciceleys italian place, had a 16 in veg pizza, we ate it all. After supper we walked down water street on AT. Went back to the Maples B and B and sat on the porch.