Date: 2017-05-25
From: Damascus, VA - Woodchuck Hostel

To: The Place + public library
Miles today: 0.0

From Ginger (morning):We decided to stay another day in Damascus. Forecast called for rain -- 80 percent chance. None so far, but I don't second-guess decisions we make with the best information available. If it doesn't rain, we get to enjoy dry feet while walking around Damascus.This is a sweet town, infinitely walkable, with a beautiful public library. I know because I spent several hours here yesterday and am back with Nathan today to update our journal. I'm so glad these still exist. At home, I appreciate the free book checkouts. On the road, I enjoy seeing how each individual branch is organized, and I'm glad so many offer computer use. There's only so much I want to do via iPhone. Thanks for being so welcoming and accommodating, Damascus Librarians! From what I overhear at the main desk, you are used and appreciated by your local folks, too.Woodchuck is full for the night, so we'll try our luck over at The Place, run by or out of the Methodist church here. Nathan is breaking in new boots -- waterproof like mine -- and I think it's time for a coffee boost from Mojo's. My treat this time since he's brought me coffee in bed several days in a row.From Fatboy (evening):Another rainy day!  Damascus is in a wet weather pattern that's making it very difficult for us to leave.  I'm forced to admit how much I despise cold, wet, gray weather.  Ginger went to the library to post all of my ramblings and her wisdom on our journal and I stayed in our cabin and napped.  At least I wasn't walking around stressing my feet and legs more.  I did buy new hiking shoes after I discovered how much damage my old shoes had accumulated.  The tops were beginning to tear away from the soles on the inside of each shoe near the balls of my feet.  I didn't ask how long these shoes would last when I bought them, but I should have.  I never considered how much stress and damage this journey could cause to my feet and legs.  I'm learning the hard way.  We moved to The Place (hostel run by the Methodist Church) because Woodchuck had reservations for all of his spaces and we needed to vacate.  The Place has communal bunkrooms where you use your own bedding and sleeping pads.  This is kind of a problem for us because we have a double bag and the bunks are singles.  Ginger kept the bag and I wrapped up in all of my clothes and a sheet the caretaker provided.  The hostel wasn't heated very much so we all sat around in the evening in our jackets and hats.  I am warm enough but I missed sleeping beside my wife.  I'm looking forward to being back in our home (tent) and making progress on the trail tomorrow.From Ginger (evening):We met No Name here and had a pleasant evening indoors, under the watchful eye of Bayou. He runs a tight ship! Lights out and quiet times are strictly enforced, which is welcome with a large group of varied personalities and routines. There ended up being about 14 people here overnight. The house is 120 years old. I'm grateful people like Bayou have taken their caretaker role so seriously! This place is open only to long-distance AT hikers and Trans-American cyclists. When you agree to stay here, you pledge, while in the house, no drugs, no alcohol, no smoking, no profanity. Coffee doesn't count as an illegal substance, thankfully, and they offered a microwave, so we stayed warm and dry and caffeinated, playing Trivial Pursuit (cards only), reading or knitting (just me!). We took a picture of the church info so we can donate to their funds once home. We'd like to help places like this keep going.