Date: 2004-05-02
From: Abingdon Gap Shelter

To: Damascus, VA (Dave's Place)
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light rain

Woke up this morning to a red sunrise on the horizon and the sound of rain on the shelter roof. Thought about the sailor saying about red dawn. Section Eight was already up making breakfast. I got out of my bag and got my food bag off the tree. Everyone else started stirring. The rush to Damascus was starting.I operated in my usual mode and usual timing and was on the trail in my usual hour and half from wake up. The only person left was GrizzlyDave, who later passed me extolling the lesson he learned from me, get up early and go. It appears that he learns one lesson from each hiker he hangs with. Elle and Chris taught him about fuel conservation and time management in regard to cooking his meals, heat only one pot of water for his water need per meal. Wonder what information he learned from KrispyKritter. The morning started to look like it was going to clear up. The sprinkles stopped and the sun peeked out. But it wasn't for long. The clouds rolled back in and the sprinkles came back. Not horrible, just enough to consider a pack cover. Walking down hill was enough to keep me dry. The ten miles to Damascus was pretty much all down hill, gradually. As I have found out, the season showed up. Flowers and greenery. The density of the leaves increased. In the past, the switchbacks into towns, I could see the town through the trees. Today, I got peeks. It was hard to judge how big Damascus is. Got into town a tad after noon. The first person I ran into was Speed. He told me it was hard to find lodging. He and Breathless were in a B and B, taking a few zero days. Breathless is having shin splint problems. I went to the outfitter, where I had my package from home sent to. I asked about lodging and the clerk told me about The Place, a church hostel. I said I really was looking for an inexpensive place where I could get away from the crowd. He then informed me the outfitter's hostel had a room for one. So, I got a private room for ten at their hostel, right across the street! I also got a package from Helen. She is definitely one of my favorite girlfriends. Got to my room and unloaded. Opened both packages and inventoried. I have a minimal shopping list for the grocery store. Mostly candy bars. I also want to address my hankering for bread. And sugared Kool-Aid. Jester is in the hostel. As is Matt and Jill. Later, Scholar. I had lunch at Trailside Restaurant, where I ran into Pegasus, who admired my hairy arm pits. KrispyKritter was there and later BeatBox, whom I last saw my second day on the trail. It pays to walk steady and slow. I'm catching up to a lot of folks I haven't seen in awhile.Laundry, did my load with Jester. At the laundromat, Sanguine showed up. She's staying at The Place. I'll have to check this place out on my way back to the trail tomorrow. The rain is now a steady pouring. I walked to the grocery for my short list. Then to Sicily's for a vegetarian calzone. I'm vegetable deprived. It was a yummy treat. While there, a past hiker saw my pocketmail and he came to talk. He told me about what to expect on the trail ahead. Nice conversation. In fact, I'm typing this at the restaurant now. Tomorrow, a quick trip to the post office and back on the trail. The weather station promises me rain and cooler, but Tuesday the sun comes back. So, the Tennessee Turnpike was good. I walked in my sandals again. The toes really liked that. Also quit wearing the knee brace during this stretch. Minor problems, but aspirin at night has been working. My package from home has the added weight of the flower book. Now I can read about the flowers I'm looking at. Today on the walk down, at one of my breaks, when I set my pack down, I smelled mint. I looked at the plant I set my pack on and it had all the defining plant marks of mint. Looks like I have another usable plant in my pantry. I've been picking up ramps that I add to my dinners but it doesn¢t always address my fresh veggie desires. But with the flower book, maybe I'll add more fresh eatables from the trail.Namaste'