Date: 2004-05-03
From: DAMASCUS

To: Damascus
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

"Today I hiked 16 miles". That is what I thought I would be writing tonight, but that is not exactly what happened. This morning I realized I had lost my Bible. On the trail this 4.9 ounce book is my most precious possession. Not only is it the word of God, but I also have the address of every person I know from home as well every friend I have met on the trail written inside of it. Without it I would be spiritually and socially disconnected. When I packed up this morning and realized it was missing I knew I had to find it.   I retraced my steps from Sunday's activities, going to 2 Outfitters, The SideTracks Cafe, The First Baptist Church of Damascus, and the Italian Restaurant I ate at yesterday. I was beginning to fret when I realized I had not checked under the bunk bed from last night. I returned to the Hiker Inn to check under the bed but I had no luck; Thank God Suzanne was there. She asked if I had checked under the mattress itself, I had not. Sure enough there it was, my bible had been under the matress the whole time. This was great news, but it was 2 pm and I still had to finish my resupply and fixing my hiking pole. This fact is why I am spending the night in a hostel one more night. I am at a hostel named "The Place" which is run by the Methodist Church.    I really want to keep hiking with Pegasus, Krispy, and Fire Marshall. In many ways Krispy has become one of my best friends on the trail. Although we are quite different, he is 54(?) year old ex-firefighter with tons more life experience than I, we get along well and I am determined to catch back up to him. I told him that I want to hike with him for a while, and that is the truth. I am now 16 miles behind him and I need to do either a 33 mile day or 2-25plus mile days in order to catch him. Even if it is difficult I am determined to make up the miles (even if I miss a few flowers on the way). "I know I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me"...now I'm going to put it to the test.   Since I was in town, I chilled with Bear Tracks who also did not leave today. I found out that Tinker did not leave either (5 zero-for him). Hopefully we can all hike out together early around 8AM. While I was here I met a couple from Maryland named "Jabberwockie" and "Yippee". They seem very sweet and while Yippee has shorter hair she looks frightenly similar to my sister Carla. I also met a nice Christian couple on the trail for their honeymoon, hence their name "The Honeymooners" (Isn't that cool/insane).Padre, myself, and the Honeymooners talked about God which was refreshing.   I played 4 games of chess (2 wins, 2 losses) and I was part of a large group game of Taboo. I said goodbye to Nuffy, the sweet Austrailian girl from SideTracks, as well as others. While Damascus is a cute town, I am beyond ready to leave. My stay here has been great but I yearn for the trail. Below are some of my goals as I press on toward my larger goal of Katahdin.1. To grow spiritually as I seek God more daily.2. To catch up with Krispy and my other friends.3. To take far less "zero-days" with the exception of "Trail Days" in 2 weeks. 4. To learn to be more frugal, especially when I am in town. 5. Todo sit-ups or crunches every morning. Why not try to tone up? In this regard this is the only "six pack" I hope to be having on the trail.6. To be more prepared to takepictures of the people and beauty around me. 7. To continue to grow in an ability to be quiet and to medititate throughout the day. 8. To continue to establish significant daily "quiet times" to pray every day.9. To see more flowers .10. To continue with my goal of using only 1 roll of toilet paper for the entire trail (I have been successful so far).11. To find small ways I can serve others and give my friends a reason to smile. 12. To live my life fully according to what I believe, not sucumbing to pressures around me. 13. To remain optimistic !!!14. To focus on where God has me, rather than always comparing myself to others.15. To make it home...to Maryland.   I will do my best as I hike on. To my friends who encourage me: I love you. You mean the world to me and are all teh more important to me out here. THANK YOU!   Love, Beatbox   ttt.