Date: 2013-10-31
From: Hikers Inn, Damascus, VA

To: Trunk or Treating
Miles today: 0.0

Happy Halloween everyone. I hope yours was as fun as ours. We decided to stay in Damascus once Buddy Backpacker arrived and asked us to trick or treat with him. My treat started out by sleeping in until 10am! We ate a hearty breakfast at the local Dairy King then headed out to bike the Virginia Creeper Trail. It's the perfect Halloween place to be. People were biking in costumes. The girls were thrilled with how many miles we could cover so quickly and effortlessly on bikes. We again stopped at the Creeper Cafe for lunch. When we got back Buddy, Sherpa and D were already dressed up in magnificent pirate costumes that they made. Buddy was so excited about it being Halloween. He painted all of our faces. Badonkadonk got a sun and clouds, Cub got an AT sign and I got a big green snake winding around my eye and mouth. We headed out for the post office and more food at Joe's, the local Mexican restaurant with the best nachos on the trail. We drove back to Crazy Larry's. He and his dog Sally were handing out candy. Sally seemed to enjoy her share of trick or treating as she happily ate each piece of peanut butter candy Larry gave her. Cub was thrilled when she found the yellow packman costume in the hiker box. The hiker I talked about a few days ago left it when he moved on. He was he one chasing bikers on the Creeper Trail like he was going to eat them. He left a note asking hikers to wear it around town whenever they got here. Cub was happy to oblige. Badonkadonk felt too old to T or T but went as a cupcake. Her beanie is a cupcake so that was easy. We went down Main Street and found some houses giving out candy. They were all decorated to the hilt with most of he owners also dressed up. But the big highlight was the church parking lot where people had come with decorated trunks. Each had a theme with the car's owners dressed to match. The kids just went from car to car. We got invited down into the church basement for homemade chili and baked goods, lemonade and hot cocoa. It was so homey and sweet. Everyone was friendly and gracious. We then went further down the street to the local businesses and police station which also gave out candy. After that another church invited us in for hot dogs, popcorn, hot cocoa and soft drinks. Great place for the cash strapped, hungry hikers. One kid, Stinky Jesus, decorated his beard and wore a woman's skirt and shirt. He's a muscular, solidly built hairy legged guy who happily T & T'd with the kids. The candy will fuel him for many miles. As we walked home a car pulled up and the driver yelled. "Are y'all the Florida Flip Floppers and Buddy Backpacker?" He was out looking for us. He drove us back to Mamie and Fidgets house. They hiked the trail last year and liked Damascus so much thy sold their house and bought one here. We've heard this story a lot. We met Ethan, the driver, and his family. They are the youth ministers of the church that gave us incredible trail magic a few days ago...the ones who provided chairs as well as food, drinks, first aid and lots of thoughtful items like Qtips, chamois towels, etc. They had been communicating with Sherpa and desperately wanted to meet Buddy. They'd bought Buddy a superman baseball cap with a little cape on the back and a funny t-shirt that said something about never showering. There were kids all around who were polite and talkative. One boy was Badonkadonk's age and interested in becoming a chef. Badonk loved talking to him. Mamie is my hero. She actually pieced together a quilt on the trail. She pre-cut the fabric and had a friend send her the pieces. Fidget went in the house and got the quilt. It was beautiful, bright colors and using the Appalachian Sun pattern. Mamie took red embroidery thread and stitched all the places they had hiked. Wish I'd thought of that and had the spare energy to do it. All in all it was wonderful and comforting to meet such awesome people. Everyday that we have been in Damascus we have met such interesting, generous and beautiful people. They all just make me realize how great the people in this country are. There is a whole bunch of really good people out here across this land. Thank you Damascus, for your generosity and your enthusiasm. We positively hate to leave this town. I'm sure we will be back. When we left Fidget generously told us that if we ever needed a place to stay they'd open their home to us. Same to you Fidget, if you ever find yourself in Florida! I love Halloween and tonight was perfect!