Date: 2004-05-15
From: Carver Gap

To: Carver Gap
Miles today: 0.0

I got up, then get to do some errands for the day. Like mailing the A.T. posters for my mom and dad. So, when I got out of the campground, Ned Doland and his wife caught me walking down the street. I was expecting them for the visit. They were so nice for coming down and keep me company for the day!. They drove for 6 hours to get to Damascus to see me and to see what Trail Days festival is. I was so thrilled to see someone that I know and I had a great time with Ned and Lynette. So, during the day, we ate at Dotty's cafe. We chatted for a while. Then they took me to the booth area. I saw so many different things that I really want to buy. I met Scott Rogers there. He introduced me to different people. He introduced me to Model T, a well known 3 times thru hiker of Appalachian Trail. He wrote and sell a book about his hiking experience. So, before the hiker's parade starts at 2pm.   During that time, Ned and I were chatting, until someone interrupted us, and tried to talk to someone right next to me. Ned caught him saying that hiker next to us was a victim of Rattlesnake bite. I was surprised that he survived the bite. I found out that he was very fortunate that he was only 1 mile before the town. He have the time to get the anti-venom shot. He showed me the bite wound and It look like a staple sized holes. Ned and I saw some hikers are carrying water guns, water balloon, etc. I was like, what is going on. Later on, I discovered during the hiker's parade is about waterfight and water wars! Spectator on the street were armed with water hoses, and hikers were armed with supersoaker gun, waterballon, and its everywhere. I wish I could hear the parade styles of waterfight so that I could buy watergun! So, I got hit by a water ballon on my face and got soaked at the end of parade. A firetruck, at the end of the parade, indeed, sprayed the water on people!! even at close distance! It was so fun. Later on the day, Scott Rogers soaked me with the mountain dew that we got them for free from Pepsi Truck. Wow, the truck are giving away free sodas! 6packs! I came to understand that the parade is about hikers that we always love soda when we got to town and we tend to be very hot and look to get soaked during hot days. So, One Leg continue to spray water on me with his water gun, and I found a water hose, and sprayed at him. Hes ALL soaked.. HA HA HA! He even got me also and I got soaked too. It was a blast! Later in the day, at about 5:15pm, we went to my campground, so that I can get my pack adjusted and fixed to the right measurement. The pack I bought from Scott Rogers, was way out of my body length. The guy there re-adjusted it to my size and it fit me well. I told Scott how come he didn't do the part that he was supposed to have during his hike, a strap belt over the shoulder was not in position. It gave me more work on my shoulder and he told me, he is also pack idiot. Haha. SO, we then went to the Leki Tent and Scott Rogers asked the dealer about the hiking pole that I have problem with, a cheap brand I bought from wal-mart that break easily, and wonder if they have extras for me at low rate. The guy there, wanted to talk with his partner there. A few minutes later, a guy there gave me FREE LEKI hiking poles! I asked what he would like to do with my cheap hiking poles and he told Scott Rogers to give those hiking poles to poor (homeless) people. We laughed. The Leki hiking poles worth 130 to 200 dollars for two. So, I saw a guy tried to get Scott Rogers to autograph the magazine. I was suprised to see his picture in the magazine. His picture is in this month's Backpacker's. I, then quickly to get a copy of backpacker, which was given to me for free from Backpacker's booth. I was surprised to see him in the magazine. Scott Rogers is well known to many people across the nation for his attempt to thru hike the Appalachian Trail. So, at 6pm, we rushed to meet a guy who wanted to interview me for the research for his college. So, we met that guy and took him to isolated place away from crowded cafe. So, he interviewed me and Scott Rogers. After that guy left, we had a cook out with Sgt. Rock.   It was a good cookout during the thunderstorm. After that, I went back to my tent to see if it was dry during the thunderstorm and fortunate that it was dry. So that I know its was worth buying this tent for 200 dollars. I slept early, at about 9:30, despite that there are so many people are dancing around big campfire. I would want to join them but I love to sleep!