Date: 2005-06-01
From: Double springs shelter

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: light rain

Today is my last day, we have many miles to go so we are up early and out of the shelter by 6 am. The weather is odd, very windy, like it is going to rain but it is not raining yet. And the wind is from the East, so we have to add some layers because it is pretty strong. We hike for quite awhile, together. This is not our normal as he normally goes ahead and I catch up after my leisurely trail walk. I think since it is the last day and we are anxious to get to town, we are walking more steadily. The weather is a factor, the least amount of time in the train the better and it looks like it could start anytime. At the shelter, about 8 miles into the day we stop for lunch but decide since it is so windy and we are still nursing colds that we will heat up some soup and hot chocolate. My partner heads off for water and as it turns out, that is quite a trek. Downhill at a steep pitch for a long ways and then back. He was cussing by the time he got back. Quick lunch, hot soups was a great idea and on down the trail.Maybe 12 mile from the shelter the rain starts and continues with us all the way into town for the next 10 miles. We just keep moving and stop for the necessities as we need. This part of the trail has been active with bears so we are hoping to see one. We decide that we are the only fruitcakes who want to be out in this wind and rain, the bears are smarter and are staying under cover somewhere.The trail was level all day, a few small inclines but then The last mile into town was a big descent but great, through the mountain laurels. Could not wait to get to town- a shower, food, and my husband was picking we up at some point that night.As it turns out, we got to town, had showers, got some food and met up with Joe at The Baja Caf©. Leaving my partner behind and heading down the highway was hard. I felt responsible for him and that I was abandoning someone who needed me. For The next few weeks I would find myself thinking and worrying about how things were doing now that I was home.In summary:It had been 3 weeks away from home, hiking 17 days of those three weeks and we had gone just shy of 200 miles. Saw all kinds of terrain, a variety of flowers, met great people, and learned many things. First, I can do more than I think I can. Second, my partner and I have different hiking styles, and that's ok, we just have to respect that we have different ways of doing things and meet up every once in awhile during the day . And Third, and most important, the generosity and heart of complete strangers is amazing, we truly are in this world together and the compassion and friendship shown to me was indescribable.Many people ask, what was the best thing you saw.....The balds to me were amazing, those mountain tops covered with fields and flowers with views to die for.what was the biggest surprise....The generosity of strangers what was the worse thing....hiking and being unable to breathe with that chest cold, stopping every 30 feet up a small hill just to wheeze and try to breathe, I did not think I would make it to the hostel that day Great trip , great people.Happy trails to all my friends still out there.I wish you all The best."Easy Going