Date: 2015-05-16
From: Damascus

To: Rest, recovery and restocking
Miles today: 0.0

Zero day number three in Damascus, VA. Saturday was another beautiful day to awaken in Damascus. And to make things better, the great snorer is leaving. The two young ladies and I were smiling when we noticed he was missing. I got going pretty early and made it out to the AYCE pancake breakfast. It was a fundraising event for the church youth. The pancakes weren't great, but I managed to eat eleven of them. After breakfast I spent a little time at the library. Seemed like it would be good to do some walking so I began a quest to find a new hat. There are four shops that carry the hat type that I wanted and they are spread from one end of the town to the other. Finally settled on a gray OR brand from Mt Rogers Outfitters. Did some walking thru the gear vendor area and signed up for some giveaways. But, like yesterday, I didn't win anything. Oh well, don't really have room or need extra weight in my pack anyway. Followed that with a walk out to Sun Dog Outfitters where they were cooking hot dogs for a free lunch.The big hiker parade was in the afternoon and I walked down the main street to get a viewing spot. It is a long time tradition that the towns people use water guns, super soakers, hoses, whatever to wet the parading hikers. And some of the hikers come armed to retaliate. All in good fun. The variety of folks in the hiker group is amazing. Old, young, men, women, costumes, etc. There were several reunion groups from previous thru hike years. Halfway thru the parade route everything stopped for some type of medical emergency. All held up for about 20 minutes. There were many things going on that I did not catch today. Hiker talent contest, prom, gear auction, seminars and discussion groups. Too much to keep track of. I finished the day with a walk to the far away grocery store for dinner and a few supplies for the next week. It began raining a little as I left the store and, just in time, a free shuttle bus stopped and picked several of us up and drove us to our destination.Have a new bunkroom person tonight. Bull, who I had met on the trail previously. He had the bad luck of battling a case of food poisoning but seems to be doing well now. I also ran into Hall'N Oats and Gary (now Blade) whom I first met in Hot Springs. Hall'N Oats is also staying at The Place, but outside in a tent. She did not realize they had openings in the house. Can't believe I have stayed in Damascus this long. Feeling a little guilty and lazy. But then I remind myself that this trek is really about the journey more than the destination. These small towns and the people and sights in them are a great part of the journey. And the Trail Days celebration is billed as the largest event dedicated to hiking in the world. So I could not miss it.And Damascus is a cool little town. It has two beautiful rivers running thru it. And the Virginia Creeper trail also goes right thru town. There must be about seven or eight bike rental and shuttle businesses here. Everyone seems to ride a bike. Really the best way to get around town. Can't recall ever seeing a town with a population of less than one thousand people that had such a great library, and a swimming pool. Sunday morning I will stop by the library for a bit to use their wifi, then have a little breakfast before following the Virginia Creeper trail to the jump off point for the AT. As usual the hike out of town will be up a mountain, but I am ready to be on the trail again. Keeping my fingers crossed for good weather. North, always North. O'RYAN