Date: 2015-05-17
From: Damascus, VA (Trail Days)

To: 589.3 campsite, VA
Miles today: 7.0
Weather: light rain

I woke up for the last time in Tent City just before 7:00am, but forced myself to nap until 8:00am, knowing we wouldn't be picked up until at least 2 hours later. Moosehead and I got up together, each enjoyed a Coke, and began making our way back into town as Hobble took his time and helped Mary and Kitty pack up their belongings and see them off safely. Before exiting Tent City we passed a Gregory tent offering free equipment repair. Because it was the last morning and they were in the process of gradually packing things up, I hesitated to mention my pack when the vendor asked if we needed anything. However, to my surprise, he said fixing my pack wouldn't be a problem and to drop back by in an hour. Eventually I would have Hobble stop back by for me on his way put and he would return to me my top pack cover pouch that has been useless since my second or third week on the trail when a mouse chewed off a small section of my zipper track. I now have a like-new zipper that looks and functions perfectly. Huge thanks to the kind and hardworking individuals at Gregory that I'm sure brought back the lives of tons of gear once thought of as ruined over the course of the weekend. As any hiker knows well, pack space is valuable and having the extra pocket again to spread out a few pieces of my gear has made finding and packing things so much easier. It's the small things.Moosehead and I ventured back into town, roaming the vendor tents and town streets one last time without any real purpose. We eventually ended up in an Exxon gas station with a small sitting area where we were able to hang out for an hour and recharge our gadgets. A family enjoying lunch after completing the Virginia Creeper Trail was sitting nearby and asked Moosehead and I several questions regarding our trip so far. It's always refreshing when people show genuine interest in what we're attempting to accomplish. Eventually Hobble would join us and soon after we were greeted by his mother, Kim, and her husband, Danny, who had driven close to 2 hours to pick us up in Damascus and drive us an additional hour plus to where we left off at Laurel Creek. Having been followed and supportes by Kim for a few weeks now, it was nice to finally get the opportunity to meet her.On the way back to where we left off, we stopped in Marion, VA and were treated by she and Danny to a fine lunch. A Cajun chicken pasta, garlic bread, and salad for me. Delicious and definitely hit the spot. I also polished off some of Kim's salad she didn't finish. I can't say enough about the generosity of Kim and Danny - taking several hours out of their day to transport smelly hikers back to a tiny trailhead deep in a Virginia holler, and treating them to food in the process. Too kind, guys, and I hope you continue to follow and support us as we continue.Timing is a funny thing on the trail for just as we rolled up to the trailhead, a familiar face emerged from the woods across the creek I had been sunbathing in a few days before - Airlock. Having not seen one another since before the Smokies, we immediately embraced in a hug and updated one another on our trips. She looks to be doing well, appears strong, and still has her infectious personality. We may have only enjoyed each other's company for a matter of minutes, but it was definitely a treat seeing her and chances are it'll happen again with the way the trail works. Before partingmways with Kim and Danny, we loaded up on water, took several pictures, and mentally prepared ourselves to return to the trail after having the past ~72 hours off. After a round of thank you's and hugs, we were off.With it already being 3:45pm when we hit the trail, we had decided to utilize the short day by making it a true James Bond (taking 2 zero's followed by a 7-miler.) The trail out of Laurel Creek was easy sailing and we covered the 7 miles in just over 2 hours. Upon exiting the woods at our planned destination, we ran into another hiker, Rusty, talking with Revelation, a gentleman who had just returned him to the trail as well. Revwlation shares that he completed the trail in '84 and said if we needed anything when we eventually crossed through his area - a place to stay, laundry, etc. - to give him a call and he'd be happy to help. What a nice offer to complete strangers; time will tell if we'll decide to take him up on that offer or not. Thanks a lot for now, Revelation.As Revelation pulled off and Rusty continued to the nextvahelter ~2 miles away, we only continued an additional ~100ft before throwing our gear down on a flat area atop a cliff overlooking I-77 below, putting us right at our 7 miles for the day. There you have it, people - a true James Bond, and right out of Trail Days. The stuff of legends. We took a picture to commemorate the occasion before quickly setting up camp as rain slowly approached. No sooner than we had camp set up it began lightly raining and would continue off and on over the next couple hours, forcing us to remain in our tents. Normally a pain, this evening it was fine as we were all sleep deprived from Trail Days, plus behind on our journals. Eventually the rain stopped and a little sun appeared just before setting behind a nearby mountain, forming a partial rainbow. An excellent way not only to end the day, but a weekend I'll remember forever.Here's to a stomach stuffed with carbs, trail angels disguised as parents, and James Bond.- Cambo