Date: 2005-04-16
From: Abingdon Gap Shelter

To: Damascus
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: 0

Abingdon Gap to Damascus"now that's a town walk!"After another night's sleep beneath a clear bright sky, I woke up happy to greet the crisp morning.  With ten miles between us and Damascus, I was rearing to go.  Spoonie camped here last night too, and was already up enjoying breakfast when we emerged from our nylon shelter.  Packing up went quickly and the three of us were soon off up the trail with Spoonie in the lead.  She set a fast pace, and I admit my breath came a bit more heavily than usual.  The terrain continued to be gentle and forgiving allowing some for conversation.  I enjoy the occasions when we walk with others and talk as we go.  The conversation is a pleasant distraction from the miles.  Also a nice change from the rattling around in my own mind that goes on in the absence of conversation.  We put away a fast four miles or so when Spoonie stopped to tie a shoelace and have a break. Gravity and I continued on.  This is the fastest pace we've accomplished yet and though challenging it felt great.  Before we knew it we rounded the corner and spotted the sign indicating the TN/VA border.  Hooray!  Done with TN and on the the land of milk and honey where the grass <ul>really</ul> is greener!  Three whole states down, what a good feeling!  To honor the moment we decided to have a break right there on the state line.  We took pictures and had a snack.  Spoonie arrived shortly and after more "yahooing" and pictures we were back on our way with our sights set on Damascus.We covered the ten miles in four hours or so, record time for us since that included a break and a couple chats with southbound hikers.  As we approached the wooden archway that welcomes hikers to the town, who did we see but Stick and Scifi!  We were sure that they were long gone flying up the trail.  It was a nice mini-reunion taking pictures and filling each other in on stories and such.We checked in to a small hostel, Dave's Place, run by the local outfitter.  Then, time to set out for chores.  After laundry and showers, Tom and I walked the half mile out of town to the Food City grocery.  Grocery stores are always a bizarre and surreal experience after being on the trail for several days.  The flourescent lights shining down on the abundance of foods and products trying to lure you into a purchase.  Even with a list it took over an hour to buy 8 days of food.Finally done, we headed back towards town, with full bags in tow.  As we continued along, we noticed a pickup truck pull over, and a man start walking towards us.  Hmmm....  When he asked us if we wanted a ride back to the hostel, we were thrilled.  We'd put away those ten miles fast this moring, and were stiff and sore by afternoon.  Walking with an akward load down the concrete side walk was surprisingly painful.  The gentleman was "Waterboy" and had thruhiked in the late '90s.  We enjoyed talking with him and the gentle nuzzles from his golden retriever through the sliding rear window in the pickup's cab.  Sorted out food upon arrival, had a late dinner with Spoonie and Scifi.I was so exhausted by the time we went to bed on the wooden platform, that I could have been on a bed of nails and still slept like a baby.Danger