Date: 2017-05-14
From: Abingdon Gap Shelter 

To: Damascus, Virginia 
Miles today: 10.4
Weather: scattered clouds

5/14Abingdon Gap Shelter to Damascus, Virginia10.4 miles Total miles:  469.2I woke this morning at 6:20 after a very good night's sleep. I was ready to be on the trail around 7:30. Angela left at the same time, and we hiked together all the way to Damascus. We had a splendid conversation covering all kinds of topics, and the miles just melted away. Monty met up with us and joined in the conversation. We all three hiked together to the Tennessee/Virginia border. We were all surprised how quickly it "showed up."  It's amazing how quickly you can get to know someone on the trail.  The trail continued to fly by, and we were soon standing in front of the welcome arch at the border of Damascus. This town has the reputation as the friendliest trail town, and I can believe it. Angela had to confirm her shuttle back to her car at Standing Bear Farm. She had been section hiking and needs to be back at work in West Virginia tomorrow. She works in one of the parks; perhaps another potential future vacation destination for Sandy and me?  Many of the hostels in town are already filled with hikers who are eagerly awaiting Trail Days, which is next weekend. I may try to get a shuttle back for it. I'll have to wait and see. There was a vacancy at the Hiker Inn, and Lee, the very nice owner, showed me a room upstairs. She then took me out the back door to point out a short cut to the restaurant where I was meeting Angela.  That's when I saw it. An Air Stream trailer. Lee saw my eyes light up and told me I could stay in the trailer for the same cost as the room. That decision took nanoseconds.  After stowing my stuff in the Air Stream, I met Angela for lunch. She then headed for her shuttle, and I set about the business of resupply. Hiking the AT is really a series of relatively short hikes between resupply points. I took a shower in the Air Stream, dressed in my town clothes, and left my other clothes for Lee to wash (my socks honestly smelled like a swamp).  I purchased denatured alcohol (my stove fuel of choice) and Permethrin at the outfitters, along with a replacement water pouch for my filtration system (one of mine had split).  I then went to Dollar General to obtain five more days of food. There was only one Spam Single left on the shelf, along with three empty display boxes. The secret of Spam Singles is a secret no more. I had to settle with four days worth of pouched tuna. The sacrifices we make to hike the trail!  I carried my supplies back to the trailer, reapplied Permethrin to my tent, backpack, and clothing. We are getting close to tick season, and I don't want to take any chances. I then sorted through my food. Once again, my pack will be weighted down tomorrow for the hike out of Damascus. I then went back to the restaurant for supper (a Cuban sandwich with fries).  I returned to the hostel and visited with several hikers on the porch while I updated my journal. I will be hiking out tomorrow morning. I'm not sure how far I'll go. By getting into town early, I can fool myself into thinking I took a zero in town, since I got here so early today. I'll see how things go and decide down the trail about whether to return for Trail Days. It has been an eventful but mentally restful day. I'm anticipating a good sleep in the Air Stream and then back on the trail tomorrow. P.S.  Many thanks to Mr. David McCracken who included a link to Uncle Nick's Monument in the Guest Book to my journal. It is a fascinating read about a very interesting man.  Thank you, David!