Date: 2005-05-12
To: Damascus - Trail Days
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

On to Damascus! It felt so good to wake up in a real bed, get a real shower and go down to the lobby for a breakfast of bagels, philadelphia cream cheese and orange juice. Even more confirmation that my decision to stop was the right one! I was packed and ready to go by 7:45 and waited in the lobby for my shuttle to arrive - Del Schechterly from Fincastle, Virginia, a mere 9 miles down the road according to the sign out on US220. Del came around 8:30 and it was obvious that he was well-known by the locals, as they were on a first name basis and talked of personal and trail related news. Del is very friendly and I was at ease right away. We took a local scenic route to the Roanoke Airport where I rented a car for the trip to Damascus and eventually home to Birmingham. Yes, Damascus. Last year I hiked through Damascus and took a zero day, but I did not come back at the end of my hike to attend Trail Days - the annual hiker and trail celebration event. I always kind of regretted that, so this year I planned to attend. The drive to Damascus was easy and uneventful. Along the way I stopped for snacks and rest breaks, hoping to find hikers trying to hitchhike to Trail Days so I could give them a ride. Funny, but I did not find a single hiker hitchhiking. After a couple of quick passes through town I pulled up to The Place, a hostel run by the Damascus United Methodist Church. To my surprise there were still empty bunks available and I am in the same one I had last year. There are dozens of tents set up on the lawn as hikers arrive and claim spots for the Trail Days fun. I met several hikers whose journals I have read on trailjournals.com, including Red Wing and Hopeful, Break-a-Leg, Gypsy Lulu and Touk (sisters), and Hooky. Also, while walking around town I saw Fraggle, Box O' Fun, Angie and Pace. I guess Unknown will arrive sometime tomorrow afternoon, but I will probably be gone by then. Tomorrow, the Trail Days events include contests, vendor gear reviews and demos, storytelling, reviewing A.T videos, free gear repair and the like. It's somewhat of a carnival atmosphere with tents where you can buy cold drinks, ice cream and other goodies. I will walk through the tent area and look around, talk with other hikers and get a feel for it all, and then I will probably hit the road for home around midday so I can be home by tomorrow evening. Today I'm just hanging out and seeing what I can. The town is filling up with hikers, all of whom walk with that off-balance "hiker hobble", typical of a hiker accustomed to carrying the weight of a pack and suddenly released from that burden. Old and young alike, they all walk the same. I went to the library today to check on my journal, make a few additions and corrections, and send an email to Marlene. This evening I went to The Mill restaurant as I did last year and sat at the same table. I had a leisurely time eating and writing. Pace is in town and has a temporary job at The Mill, to make a few dollars while enjoying Trail Days, I guess. We talked awhile before I came in to eat, and got a couple of pictures together. He's been a fun addition to my hiking experience. My feet are still sore but it's so much easier walking on them without the pack. I have made my way back to The Place, and am lying on my bunk, listening to the sounds of the small town full of hikers. It has a flavor all it's own. I has been a good day. I look forward to tomorrow to experience some of the Trail Days events, and then the trip home. I pray that God will give me a safe journey. Goodnight Sweetheart.