Date: 2004-06-24
From: Abingdon Gap Shelter

To:  "The Maples" - Damascus
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: broken clouds

We had a good night. Pilgrim started to recite poetry and I responded. We went back and forth with ¢The cremation of Sam Mc Gee¢ and a lot of good nature poetry. Backwards and forwards with the poetry and the limericks flying, and the rain rattling so hard on the metal roof that we, at times, could hardly hear ourselves. A great night.   The dawn broke wet, cold, and misty. Everybody was up and out early with visions of Damascus dancing in their heads. Pilgrim ¢ who is a retired high school math teacher ¢ and John ¢ who is also, but not retired ¢ are finishing their section hike to day, so for today they are indeed ¢thru¢ hikers.    I started out in full rain gear, and was going to stay that way until I was out of the fog. After an hour or so however, I abandoned the rain gear and continued on in summer mode. I made excellent time astonishing myself with my improvement.   There were no cobwebs in the mist this morning. Does this mean that the rain knocked them down during the night, or am I in a section of the forest that doesn¢t have spiders?   At the Virginia State Line, while taking a photo of the Mount Roger¢s Marker, I had an ugly experience. I cheerfully greeted a SOBO hiker as he approached. Despite repeated greetings he continued to ignore me as he came closer. I thought that either he was deaf, or that he didn¢t understand English ¢ the latter thought expressed aloud, bringing the retort ¢F**k you fella, I don¢t have to talk to you if I don¢t want to¢ I wished him a pleasant day anyway and speculated that I must be getting close to civilization! Upon thinking more about it now, I realize that he may have thought that I was taking a photo of him as he approached without his permission, and that my comment about his English speaking skills was uncalled for. After all he is right ¢ he doesn¢t have to talk to anybody if he so chooses. In the future if I get no response to my initial greetings I am, just going to let it go at that.   Arrived in Damascus early and after walking up and down Laurel Street ¢ the main drag ¢ settled on The Maples B+B as my spot.   It is a charming old house ¢ 100 years old and I am staying in the Rowlings Room, once occupied by Ed Garvy and Earl Schaffer [not together] Miss Sarah [Woods} maintains the house in excellent condition with the help of Russell [Shaw] who drove me to the PO to collect my drop box ¢ ID required. The house smells of lilac, the bed has springs and the whole place is full of nick-knacks and utterly quaint.   I have had a shower, got my laundry done, eaten dinner at Dots Inn ¢ a bar with good steaks ¢ spoke with home. So here I am at last in Virginia. Will go thru the drop box in the AM and plan the next section. Will also send home the exposed film and the skullcap and gloves and the empty cell battery. Will hold on to the fleece top until after Mount Rogers. Will resupply and may even chance my arm at the Internet at the local library.   Feel tired but good, after a full day. It felt great to be able to just physically enjoy the hike today. All of my body parts seemed to be clicking in a coordinated and rhythmic fashion. I guess that the endorphins kicked in.   Thought for today ¢      Change is inevitable ¢ Suffering is optional            To You   "Stranger, if you passing meet me and desire to speak      to me, why should you not speak to me?   And why should I not speak to you?"                        Walt Whitman.