Date: 2003-11-17
From: Damascus, VA

To: Erwin, TN
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

I've made it to Erwin, TN and am staying at Miss Janet's Place here in town. Once again, I've found trail angels in the oddest places. Between Bob at Kincora Hostel, and Miss Janet here in Erwin, my hike has been most pleasant (except for the weather). Thanks to both of you for excellent stays at your establishments. You make the AT an easier place, and I appreciate it.Important information:Miles completed - 1868.4Miles to go - 302!Days on the trail - 142Days to go - still in the planning stage (see below)Ben & Jerry's consumed - lost track back in PA (double digits by now)What's happened lately?1. Finally left Damascus on 11/9. Hiked out by myself, everyone had already left. [Turns out Fatcat, Grommie, GQ, and Lumberjack came in about 5 hours after I left.] Met Jessica (formerly BEST) and Synapse that night at the shelter.2. Visited Nick Grindstaff's grave on top of Iron Mountain. His epitath, "Lived alone, suffered alone, died alone." A real upper for the day.Met Squirrel Meat and BS at the next shelter. Apparently the SOBO crowd ahead of me had gotten sidetracked by a visit to Squirrel's college. Who says the AT is nothing but hiking?3. Made it to Kincora Hostel on 11/11. Everyone was there: Cliffdweller, QT, 8-point, Squirrel Meat, BS, Jessica, Fisher King, Synapse, and me. This was the largest crowd of SOBO's that I've ever seen. Kincora was a great place; Bob has put together one of the finest rustic hostels on the trail.4. Did two slackpacks this time, one into Kincora and the other into Miss Janet's Place. Both times we were pushing darkness. I've found that I don't make much more speed on a slackpack, I'm just less tired by the end of the day. Still don't like night-hiking.5. On 11/12, BS pulled the most dangerous stunt I've seen on the AT: he slid ~25 feet down Jones Falls (not on purpose). Once we knew he was OK, we laughed about it for the rest of the day. Can't you just feel the through-hiker love?6. Kincora was so great, I had to take an unplanned zero there, the most relaxing zero since Upper Goose Pond Cabin in MA. I wrote letters, talked, played Euchre (a midwestern version of Spades), and generally did nothing. A great time, especially since Fatcat, Grommie, GQ, and Lumberjack had come in the previous afternoon. Fatcat cooked dinner for us: brats, hamburgers, and hotdogs. Life is good.7. Experienced the coldest weather so far on 11/14. Squirrel Meat, 8-point, and I hiked from US 19E to Roan Mountain in 30+ mph winds and temperatures that didn't exceed 32F. My hydration tube was freezing as I hiked. Luckily the sun was out and we had excellent views going over Hump and Little Hump Mountains. I'd rate this area as good as the Grayson Highlands in southern VA. Ended up at the highest shelter on the AT (Roan High Knob). This was one cold night. Master Harold showed up that night, go figure.8. Hiked in the rainiest weather so far on 11/15. Intermittent cold drizzle all day. Weather has not been the finest lately.9. At Cherry Gap shelter we picked up a traveling companion: a bear-hunting dog who had gotten separated from her hunters. She refused to leave that evening, instead spending the night on my sleeping bag and/or pad. We ended up taking her into Erwin the next day until we could call her owner.What's next? Decisions, decisions, that's what. Trying to figure out the Thanksgiving plans, where to go? Current options: Synapse is getting a cabin, Fatcat is getting a condo, and Miss Janet is hosting all SOBOs for dinner. Also trying to determine my end date. You wouldn't think this is difficult, but I'd like to finish with everyone I hiked with (other through-hikers will instantly understand). The question is: what date? For months my only decision was, "how far to hike today?" Now I've got all this running around in my head, never mind about after the hike is over. My cup runneth over.Anyway, my hike is winding down, for good and for bad. I'm already feeling bittersweet about it. Of course, more sub-freezing wet weather will alter my attitude mighty quickly. Final words (courtesy of Roamin): "It's all good."