Date: 2007-05-18
From: Laurel Fork

To: Bland, VA
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

May 31st Yes. I am wayyyyy behind on my journal! So here is an update that goes back for a couple of weeks and to the first of my three trips to Damascus. Trip One to Damascus -- May 18/19 - Mile 397 I came into this quaint little mountain town for Trail Days, the biggest celebration of the Appalachian Trail and it's hikers. Trail Days is a festival that included lots of vendors - food and gear, music, lectures about the trail and best of all lots of meetings of old and new hiking companions. I saw folks that I had met on the trail but had not seen in weeks. I got to visit with an Asheville friend and was treated to a night at the Martha Washington Hotel in Abingdon. It was great fun! Additionally, I won a Patagonia long sleeve thermal shirt AND an Olympus waterproof carmera! But the very BEST part of the weekend for me is described in the next paragraph. Brittney, my friend, housemate and manager of everything while I'm gone, surprised me hugely by bringing ZACK , my son to town! I knew she was coming. When I saw her walk up with two guys, I glanced at them and then ran to hug her. I immediately started talking about all my latest adventures. Finaly she said, I'd like to introduce you to my friend, Tim. I looked at him and shook his hand. STILL, I did not look at the other guy. Then she said, I'd like to introduce you to my friend, Zack!!!! Boy was I surprised! Zack, known as Jolly Green on the trail, looked terrific in his newly grown beard and fancy hat. Can you believe I didn't even recognize my own son!!! We were all rolling with laughter! You can guess that I'll NEVER live that one down....It didn't even register when I had glanced at him that that terrific looking guy was MY SON!!...Wow...did we have a great laugh and then a great time catching up. He's at mile 284 and may catch up in a week or ten days or so. Alex, trail name, Flash, is back to hike for a month or so before going to graduate school in the fall. Second Damascus Trip: Memorial Day Weekend - Mile 460 By now I have actually hiked into Damascus (the first trip I was shuttled up for the festival).Damascus is 460 trial miles. I spent the weekend hiking with an old friend. It was so much fun to share the ins and outs of hiking the AT. I felt, not only deeply supported, but that the challenges of the trail were understood. At the end of the weekend I headed into Mt. Roger's National Park, one of the prettiest sections on the trail. Through Mt. Rogers and Grayson Highlands I saw many wild ponies and the balds with rock outcroppings for which those parks are known. Third Damascus Trip: May 30/31 - Mile 508 After hiking to Troutdale - Mile 508, I got a shuttle back to Damascus yesterday to once again go to the Mt. Roger's Outfitters. My knees were screaming loudly and my back was screaming even louder! I knew that Jeff, one of the owners of the outfitter would be able to help me find the perfect fit of shoes, in-soles, and backpack. I've taken a delightfully relaxing zero day (a day off from hiking) today. Zack is a day or two behind me. I was trying to wait for him but my legs are ready to roll, so I'm off in the AM. I'm sure he'll catch up soon. It was funny...yesterday someone asked my name. I said, "TOOdles." They said, "Oh, we've heard all about you!" I said, "OH???!!" Then they said they'd been hiking with Jolly Green! I really wanted to see him again but the trail calls loudly! The only other news is that Bum Bum has hiked on. We shared a terrific 500 miles of hiking together. He's such a great person - kind and caring. Bum Bum was ready to hike faster. My body (and soul) just weren't up for it. I found myself often feeling stressed and feeling as if I was missing the point of being out in the woods for this great adventure. So though I'll miss Bum Bum's smiles, humor and thoughts on the "secrets" of living wisely, I know I've chosen the right pace for myself for right now. Each week brings so many new awarenesses, new beauty, new challenges. This trail is sooo awesome---gorgeous scenery, grueling hills, amazing folks, hot sweaty days, cold nights, rocky, wet terrain, dry, dusty paths, all of everything. I've seen a little wildlife,...four snakes, six deer, many mice and many chipmunks, a few salamanders and no bears! So .....Onward Ho! At mile 737 I will be one third of the way. Thanks for all the support you send my way. Please send nature quotes if so inclined. I love to read them and leave them in the trail journals.