Date: 2010-11-17
To: View Entry
Miles today: 75.0

Demascus is the Mecca of the AT.  I now know why. It's a small holler town nestled below several mountains. It only has a population of 1000, but hikers are considered residents here, and everybody knows eachother.  We heard there are over 40 past thru hikers that have cone back to live here, and I don't blame them. It's home to "trail days" every May which is a festival where past and present hikers reunite, and this small town hosts 25000 people.  It's just South of the Grayson Highlands which is one of the most beautiful sections of trail, and it is home to the Virginia creeper trail.  The Virginia Creeper trail is 30 miles or so and is on an old railroad bed.  It runs along a beautiful creek the whole way with plenty of waterfalls, swimming holes and fishing spots.  We saw countless families on bikerides, and the guy at the outfitter said in the summer they shuttle up to 200 people an HOUR to a spot 10 miles up to ride back to town.  If your looking for an outdoors getaway consider Demascus.We weren't in town 2 minutes before we had two offers for a ride.  We were only walking down the block, but it was a warm welcome.  The second fella pointed to his house and said there's a phone on his porch for hikers to call long distance.  WOW.  We went right for Subway since we all ran out of food the day before.  It was delicious.....meatball sub.The boys all stayed at "the place".  A famous hostel run by a church.  I opted to upgrade and went to the hiker inn since the place had no heat or hotcwater.  The hiker inn was just bought by a couple who moved here last week.  The husband Paul, did a Thru Hike this year, and saw that it was for sale when he came through.  Forgive me I forget his wifes name.  They were on their way out the door to Their old house on Charolette, but told me I could stay. In fact, the wife had read my journal and new I would be in town.  The accomodations are great and I got the whole place to myself.  Comfy bed with sheets and comforter, heat, a shower, a fridge of SODA, and Paul even put a couple beers in there for me.  It inexpensive and well worth it!!I bought alot of gear here.  New shoes, rain pants, a base layer shirt, gators, and a few other things.  I should be well prepared now.  There was a hiker named "pepper" who runs Sun Dog outfitters.  He was on a thru hike a few years ago and liked the town so much he stayed put right here ending his hike.  I think he actually had some knee issues to.  He used to work on computer systems in hospitals, but gave it up for the simple life.  We probably talked 3 hours or more over the last two days.  Real chill kind of guy who was abundantly helpful with gear and shoe questions before throwing me an unexpected 10% discount.  He said "I've been on the other side of that counter". Thanks pepper!There is a Coffee shop called Mojoes where everyone chills,  and Lindsay (who makes the coffee) makes great company.  There are three gear shops, several bike shops, and more churches than all of the above.  I also met another fella named "Skid".  He's thru hiked the AT 3 times, the PCT and CDT.  In hiker world that's called the "triple crown".  Probably in his 50's, with a little gut and gentle voice, Skid was in town trying to do a little hiking having been layed up several years with a bad knee.  I met him at the laundry mat, and he offered to drive me to another outfitter 45 mins away to look for shoes I wanted.  That was too generous, but I did take him up on a ride to the grocery store.  All the guys at the outfitter in town knew him, but you'd never guess him as a triple crowner from his dress or his humble nature.  Real nice guy who has a fictional novel coming out about the AT next year with Simon and Shuster called "Black Heart on the AT".  He has one coming out in a couple months called "Miracles Inc" through Simon and Schuster.  It's about a scam Pentecostal minister on Death Row.  His name is TJ Forrester if you wanna look it up at some point. I know I will.I'm 75 miles past Demascus at a hostel run by Bob Peoples.   Wait till I tell you about this guy. An AT icon.