Date: 2009-04-14
From: Abingdon Gap Shelter

To: Hiker's Inn, Damascus, VA
Miles today: 10.2
Weather: light rain

Tue Apr 14, Day 35: Getting to a shelter early always solicits thoughts of hiking on to the next destination. That was the case with Abingdon Gap Shelter yesterday. Carolina and I contemplated doing another 10 miles to make Damascus by 1830 hours but we talked ourselves out of it. I'm glad we did. The only water source in that ten mile stretch was eight miles down the trail. Besides, we saved money by staying in the shelter!When Duckie, FOPS, and CRS arrived we all decided to try to make town by breakfast. That said I got up at 0400 this morning and was on the trail by 0450 hiking at night under a beautiful 34 full moon that provided enough sunlight (yes, sunlight reflected off the moon) to see. We had our headlamps on and the white blazes were illuminated well enough not to get lost. It was pretty good terrain, mostly downhill. Carolina was not far behind. A lone deer wandered close to the trail unsure of our lights. Finally spooked, it bolted away with graceful ease. Entering Mount Rogers NRA - also the TN/VA state line. Click on picture to see full size. TN/VA State Line - mile 459.3. This is on the Mount Rogers NRA sign post.By daybreak the Tennessee-Virginia border sign was in sight. Ceremonial pics were in order. There we stopped for a little rest break, snack break (a couple of Almond Joy candy bars), and water break then pushed on the remaining 3.7 miles into Damascus. Yeehaw! We made it into town at 0834 hours. Welcome to Damascus! Mile 463.0Carolina went to stay at Dave's Place, a hostel run by the local outfitter. I went to the Hiker¢s Inn where Suzanne Bullard recognized me. She¢s the proprietor. I stayed here during my cross-country bicycle trip last year, click here for my report on that visit, including a bit of philosophy on the comparison of touring cyclists and thru-hikers. It is truly fantastic hospitality that Suzanne provides and I just wanted to make sure that she got my business again this year. Thanks Suzanne for all you¢ve done. The Hiker's InnOnce settled Carolina and I head to Cowboy's, the local Exxon service station that serves a mean blueberry pancake breakfast with sausage, eggs, bacon, orange juice, coffee, and of course plenty of maple syrup too. Ahh, yummy in the tummy. Really, really felt good to eat a good breakfast. We see the local postman there. He's headed out but we have time to eat breakfast with him. The big news is the local police have been sweeping the church hostel The Place with drug dogs and several AT Thru-Hikers have been arrested for illegal drugs. It's been the talk in all the shelter registers as well.After breakfast I grab a shower and get laundry done before going to the post office and the outfitters. Got an extra rain jacket at the outfitters since mine had failed. Picked up my post office packages which included a six day supply of food, new boots, and my Bounce Box. Thanks, Kim, all the boxes got here. Excellent job putting together this large drop. Later this evening several of us invited Suzanne along for a supper trip to the legendary Dot¢s Inn. We had a big old greasy cheeseburger, onion rings, and a cold beer. Talked to a bunch of the AT thru-hikers. My belly is super happy!Tidbits and Observations:T&O One:I'm getting pretty good at estimating distance by counting my paces. It's a system my buddy Stan taught me using "Ranger Beads." You count off your steps every time your left foot hits the ground. For me about every 100 paces = 1/10 mile. This way I can determine if I'm getting close to a destination point like a water source, road crossing, or shelter. It's really been beneficial. No, I wasn't using the technique when I overshot the Roan Mountain shelter! Depending on the terrain I also know my pace fluctuates between 2-3 mph. There's certainly much more to the "Ranger Bead" technique than just described but for me keeping a simple pacing strategy has worked well.T&O Two: Ankle update: Swollen right ankle! Minimal dull pain. Tonight I soaked my foot in an Epsom salt solution for one hour, wrapped it in an Ace bandage, and will sleep with it elevated. Took 800 mg of Vitamin I. I think it¢s going to get better for the hike out tomorrow. Click here for audio journal