Date: 2008-05-16
To: Zero in Damascus.
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: light rain

As usual, I woke up hungry. No oatmeal today, I headed into town to have a real breakfast. I was surprised though at how few places for breakfast there were? I ended up at the little grill inside the gas station across from the laundromat. It was good, just not as much selection as I was craving.Afterward, I walked all through Damascus, that didn't take long so I did it twice. This is a friendly town. My first order of business was to get rid of my Tarptent and get a tent. The Outfitter was packed. From their selection I chose an MSR Hubba. It was smaller than I liked, however it had pluses. Most importantly it would keep me dry.Next I walked through the park where other vendors were set up. It was festive and had all the charm I expected.I ran into Poca who was carrying a small stuffed furry mouse. It was an AT mouse she received from the ATC tent. It was just what I was looking for. I went back to get one but they were all handed out. Bummer. Poca was going to try and find me one.I was not to be disappointed however, later at tent city Poca & E.D. stepped from an SUV with a 6 ft mouse. I just happened to be standing there as they arrived. My jaw dropped to the ground, true to their word, they found me a mouse! The mouse came up and put his arm around me. What the .....?They were laughing, as the mouse was getting bolder and friendlier with me. Just about the time I was getting ready to decapitate the mouse, it struck me that this had to be Flash inside. Sure Enough, it was. He removed the big head and now I was rolling in laughter.This costume belonged to the ATC. Somehow he was able to borrow it? This guy could sell ice cream to an Eskimo. What was funnier, was he put it on at the park where the ATC tent was set up. As he was walking through the crowds to make his way back to tent city (a mile away) to surprise me, all the kids who saw him came up to him, wanted to shake his hand while their parents took pictures and so on.Burning up in the suit and not wanting to walk all the way, he hitched a ride.Who couldn't refuse to pick up a 6ft. mouse? It could only happen in Damascus.Moments later he surprised me again, I was going to get something from my tent, when I pulled back the rainfly, there he was.I raised my trekking pole as if I were going to harpoon him. It made for a good picture. In the end, I was truly touched that they went to this extravigant effort to bring me me a mouse. Especially, since I had played that shelter prank on them. I will never forget this awesome and hilarious gesture. You all are fantastic, I wish we all lived closer together, I would like to hang out and see you all more often. Afterward we all headed back toward town. Poca and E.D went to eat, while Flash & I walked back to the park to return the suit. Upon returning I had missed saying goodbye to Poca. She had to return home to work. She not only was a good sport but a good person whom has a passion for hiking that anyone would admire. I will miss her.As a consolation, I met Poca's sister Judy or "Giggles" as she is known in trail circles from her 06 Thru-hike with E.D. Giggles works with Flash as an EMT and is 2 weeks away from graduating Fireman School or ..er a.. Fire person school, whatever? Any way, congrats on that Giggles, You have no doubt earned it. In anticipation, Topshelf finally arrived from Michigan. What a site for sore eyes. It has been a while since we have seen him. True to form as only Topshelf could do, he brought a kitchen tent complete with a portable full size propane grill. Food and libations for all. Topshelf was not travelling alone, he brought his husky pup Mazey. So now after all this time, at least for a while, the Magnificent Seven is together again. What a reunion, it was fitting to be having it in Damascus.Later, we all roamed through the area listening to music and seeing new and old friends that we haven't seen for a while. There were trails leading into the woods, some led to secret bonfires and gatherings. It was a festive evening and aside from feeling great in being here, I was feeling no pain either.I'm not sure why, but I got the urge to walk through the fire? I hadn't done this for a very long time. There was once a time when "crazy" was a pass time I shared with with my old pals. Tempting injury and even death was a way of feeling alive! I know - I know, Dumbshit! So just like old times, I went through the blaze. Just to picture this correctly, this was not a campfire with twigs and split wood, This was a bon fire, with Logs and tree limbs stacked a few feet high, I had to climb up the burning logs to walk across then back down. I ended up doing this a few times until I collided with someone who decided to try it too. He was coming from the other way, I never saw him. He was stepping down as I was going in the flames & up. Had I fallen in, my name would have been Papa Smore instead of Sarge. As a result, I had superficial rug burn like abrasions on my face. Again, I know dumbshit, But damn, it feels good to be ALIVE!Eventually, I returned to my tent and called it a night, well maybe it was morning. Anyway, it was a Zero in Damascus and lived up to and exceeded my expectations.