Date: 2018-05-17
To: Dickey's Gap
Miles today: 9.3

The meadow was a peaceful place last night. I heard Amazonian and Francis get up early to make some miles. Our food was safe from the bears last night. I wrote in my journal then packed up. I met everyone else by the shelter. I put together the 2 stop shop for breakfast which is oatmeal and coffee together. We were going to hike 10 miles today to Dickey's Gap and get a ride to Damascus from Chill's friend.  While we were getting ready, Foghat, a section hiker showed up and told us about trail magic. It was only a mile and a half from the shelter!  We hiked down the mountain and sure enough there was a tent with a grill setup. Duck fart, Rabbit, and Bisquick were making omelettes for all the thru hikers. They said they didn't buy forks because they knew thru hikers would have spoons or forks. Day hikers wouldn't have utensils to eat with. I also have l had a PBR and orange fanta. We hung out there for an hour. Amazonian and Francis were going to get a ride from them back to Damascus. Francis needed to go to the clinic to have someone look at his leg.From trail magic we hiked another hour then had lunch. We had meals every hour. I think my hiker hunger has been kicking in. After lunch my stomach hurt a bit then I quickly dug a cathole. It was diarrhea, maybe the omelette didn't sit well with my stomach since I've been eating awful food most of time. We set off again and about a mile away I saw Bandito's pack on the side of the trail. I knew to keep my eyes on the trail. Apparently, she needed to make a quick stop as well and didn't even have time to dig a cathole. It was diarrhea magic.  We came to a waterfall and hung out for a bit enjoying the cool water.  In about another mile we were at Dickey's gap.  Chill's friend wasn't going to show up for another hour and a half. We had some time to kill. Pumpkin Spice lazily laid by the road with a lays potato chip bag and tried to hitch. He didn't get any stops. While we were waiting it was starting to rain. We all crowded under the Dickey gap sign that acted as a shelter. The water went sideways though and my legs got wet but everything else was ok. Chill's friend Dakota showed up and we were on our way to Damascus. Dakota worked as a paramedic and had loads of stories about saving people's lives. We arrived at Damascus and hung out at Mojo's while Dakota drove back to pickup Bandito and Poncho since there wasn't enough room in the car. Pumpkin Spice made a reservation at an Airbnb about 30 min out of town. We picked up food from Food City for breakfast and dinner.  Again we had to make two trips. Chill and I hung out at the grocery store watching the hikers and locals get their food. We were offered rides a few times but I doubt anyone would take us 30 minutes outside of town.  Dakota came back and gave us a ride to the Airbnb. When we arrived Poncho had started making white chicken chili soup. I tried some and it was really tasty. We hung out eating cheese and crackers. I learned that Dakota was gay. Towards the end of the night he talked about all the weird genetalia he saw as a paramedic. It was pretty ridiculous. We stayed up until 2 am and I called it a night.  I have a comfy bed tonight finally after a few weeks.