Date: 2010-04-30
From: Damascus - Dancing Bear

To: Damascus - Dancing Bear
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: clear sky

At about 4:15 this morning I was questioning my decision to do the 24+ slack. No matter how I looked at it, it would take 10 hours or so to finish. With a shuttle time of 10:00am, I won't start my hike until 10:30-10:45 if on-time. I won't finish until 7:30. Just too late. No time to do the rest of my town chores. Made the decision to bag on the slack and take a second zero. Not what I wanted, but with my 3 day 75 mile push, today should be my zero day. Yesterday was my bonus day due to my efforts. Done.Up at 7:00. Over to Dairy King for breakfast. Biscuits and gravy, 2 eggs, order of french toast and coffee. Afterwards, Post Office for a box and dollar store for shaving cream and razors. Time to shave.Back to my room. Started to shave. 30 minutes later, I was done. Showered and started my journals. Seven hours later, I am almost done. I did take a lunch break. I split the ground beef I bought yesterday into thirds. Made two patties, fried them in a pan and put 3 pieces of cheese on each one. I used some of my mayo as well. I also ate the bag of chocolate covered raisins. Also some Mountain Dew and mint cookies. The remaining beef was browned and will be put in my dinner. Beef in my chicken pasta side. Oh well. Now 5:30 and time to wash the clothes I've been wearing. 7-8 days until the next wash opportunity.7:15 back from laundry. Ran into the couple from Maine who were at US 19E Harbour House when I was there. They were at Kincora a few days after me and that group was still hanging. They had the same opinion of them as I did. After laundry, I walked and picked up a ham Subway. Either for tonight or lunch tomorrow.Journals done, laundry done, return mail box all but done. What is left is dinner, epson salt soak and doing my pack. Nice. Rain expected the next four days. Who cares. A four day hike to a shower then four more to Pearisburg. On the way I will see the wild ponies in Mount Rogers NRA, Fat Man Squeeze which is where the AT goes through a short tight cave, Partnership Shelter where the local Pizza Hut will deliver to the shelter and where you have running water if it is on yet, the Relax Inn, voted the #1 worst motel on the trail, and seven pages of other points of interest. Many ups and downs in Virginia with a valley walk thrown in once-in-a-while for good measure. It should be fun. Few hostels and comfy stops for awhile. This will stop the pack of hiker want-a-be's. I think I am and will now be with hikers. Looking forward to it.Breakfast at 8:15, P.O. at 9:00. I just panicked. Tomorrow is Saturday and in these small towns, the P.O. is often closed on the weekend. I checked and it opens late at 9:00, but at least it is open. My start time was just pushed back an hour but I will get things sent out. Well time to sign off for a week to ten days. Thanks again Holly for doing my journals (and correcting my spelling). I have enjoyed my Damascus stay and the Dancing Bear and will until I leave tomorrow. But it is time to hike and a-hiking I will go, HI-HO, HI-HO.Be safe and I'll be heard from again when I pop out in Pearisburg.-The FOG is rolling on!!