Date: 2005-05-05
From: Abington Gap Shelter

To: Damascus, Va.
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Total Miles: 461.7Stayed in a homeToday was a great day. I knew I would be in Damascus by at least early afternoon but as it turned out I made 10 miles in 4 hours and was in by 11:30am. My pace was better because the terrain was smoother and the ups and downs were more gentle. I was walking through Damascus when a lady across the street asked if she could help me. I was just looking at all the stores and homes and trying to decide where I could stop to eat. I crossed the street and she introduced herself as the owner of the Montgomery B&B. She told me of my options for eating and I decided to go back to the Italian Restaurant I had passed. I ordered my meal and went over to the P.O. to pick up my mail. I received a thoughtful package of goodies from a woman I had never met but we have e-mailed back and forth a few times. Thank you, Virginia, for the Nutter Butter cookies, creme savers, and peppermint patty. I also received a lovely card from her. I also got a letter from my mother--I miss stopping in to chat with her--she only lives about a mile from me. I also received another supportive note from Janet rooting me on to finish the trail. I do not think I could get off the trail for anything at this point--I WOULD regret it in the end and that is why Janet keeps telling me, "Don't Quit!" After I finished eating I called my friend that lives near Bristol to let her know I was here. She said it would take about half an hour to get here so I sat in the restaurant eating a bowl of buttered garlic bread sticks with sauce and drinking coffee and pepsi. Soon, Phoenix came in with his wife. His foot fracture is healing nicely, according to the Dr., and he hopes to get on the trail again soon. He told of a tragic accident that Miss Janet of Miss Janet's Hostel was involved in. She was going up a mountain road with a hiker in her van and as they were going around a curve a sports car was on her side of the road and she swerved right to miss it. The other car also swerved to his right but had apparently turned too sharply or something and when he went to correct it he somehow flipped or rolled the car. The passenger was killed but the driver did survive. Miss Janet and the hiker did try to help the 2 in the other car and when they returned to the hostel they were 2 very somber people. Everyone that was there at the hostel at the time did go to the hospital with Miss Janet and try to give support to the families. Also, Soulman and Brownie came into the restaurant. They told me that Icicle had called the Outfitter to try to reach Snowman and when he was not around because he had hiked out this morning she asked for me. Of course, I was not around but she said she would call back at 3pm. I was not going to be here so I left the number of my friend. Once at Linda's home I soaked in the tub for the longest time. It felt so wonderful!! After I got out, Icicle's call came. She gave a message for me to give Snowman when I see him next. I told her that Toto and I would most likely run into him tomorrow since we are going to hike south toward Damascus. Everything is ok with her--she just wanted to let him know that she is going to bring the boys over later this month and wants to know where he will be.Toto came in the evening and we went to eat Chinese food. Linda had made a Texas sheet cake and I had a piece of it for an afternoon snack. Yum!!Tomorrow we will hike but we have to decide in the morning where we will start hiking south toward Damascus. I hope it does not rain.