Date: 2007-05-20
From: Unaka Mountain & Cherry Gap, Tennessee

To: Damascus, VA & Trail Dayz
Miles today: 104.4
Weather: clear sky

"Let the Celebration Begin"                    Ranger Jan Reporting         The Roan Highlands are one of the gems of the AT and they were just ahead. After a long, arduous uphill (albeit in the never-ending sunshine) we reached the summit of Roan and would be descending. I was hiking with "Just Glen" now and our destination was Overmountain Shelter, one of the best on the AT. Before reaching it, our 22 mile day would see us on top of Grassy Ridge, the only true 360 degree view in the southern Appalachians above 6000 ft. (Clingman's Dome has a communications tower on it) Overmountain is a old barn that's been converted to a shelter and overlooks a very attractive pastoral valley. A cool west wind blew into the shelter that night, but the experience was sublime.   The next day we would cross Little Hump and Hump Mountain. Both balds boast great views into the surrounding countyside. Coming down, finally, we would begin travel in a far less strenuous trail section. Three tall waterfalls were next (Jones Falls, Laurel Falls and Coon Den Falls) and I made sure to spend time enjoying the flood of negative ions (a positive thing) and the aural backgroud. As my luck would have it, sun still ruled the day as I hiked in the now full, cool leafage of spring. Cheeseburger, Gimpy, Peach, and Just Glen were still in my trail circle. I finished tuesday with another trail first... a swim in Watauga Lake. After 22 miles of sweat, that late afternoon dip was all I needed and the effort was forgotten.       The Watauga Dam was a sight as I hiked along the lake the next day and finally back up into the Tennessee mountains. The morning sun was no surprise as I naturally assume now that every day will be a sunny day. (the Ranger Jan Luck) However at about 1pm the skies opened up and 2 parts Hydrogen combined with 1 part Oxygen began to rain down. It would be my first day walking in a real rain in 28 days of hiking. Soon my shoes were sloshing and the trail turned to a small rivulet. My trusty umbrella protected everything else and the experience was still a pleasureable one. Arriving to find the Double Springs shelter full, I laid claim to the last dry spot, the picnic table, and had one of the best night's sleep of my trip.       Thursday the sun was back and the 18 miles into Damascus was a downhill treat. Tad and Rebel, a couple of speedy 20 somethings, and I maintained a healthy 3 mph all the way in and arrived just after lunch. Trail Days started the next day and that's a story in itself.   What does the trail-hardened thru-hiker, running on all cylinders, closing in on 500 miles while traversing 3 states and surviving the Smokys, need?......Why, three days of celebration, courtesy of the "Friendliest Town on the Trail"----Damascus, Virginia. For more than two decades, Damascus has hosted Trail Days, a celebration of everything AT. Free meals for hundreds, free gear repair, free live music, free camping, free medical care, a free parade and the free flow of hospitality ruled the event. It's a time to rendezvous with old hiking companions, eat, meet past thru-hikers, eat relax to live music, eat, shower & laundry, eat, resupply, eat, call loved ones, eat, and if you find yourself with nothing to do........just eat some more. (I've lost more than 15 lbs. and on my frame that's tantamount to anorexia) Not to be too glutanous, though, I only surrendered Saturday to celebration.   20% of the Trail was now behind, so a little back-patting and pampering was in order. Trail Days is to Appalachian Trail hiking what Woodstock was to Rock & Roll. And the similarities are obvious. A comraderie and sense of special community engulfs hikers and locals alike. It's one small town's big-hearted attempt to extend many small kindnesses to a small group of weary travelers. And believe me, it is much appreciated.