Date: 2006-05-05
From: Abington Gap Shelter

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: light rain

It rained last night-started about 04:00 am. Just a very light rain but enough to have a wet tent to a pack up-yuck! I knew I was going into town so it wasn¢t too bad. I crossed the TN/VA border at 09:50 this morning! I did a little dance and then yes, I did the traditional border crossing-stand on one side (the VA side) and pee on TN! It¢s not as easy for us women to do it, but it can be done!The morning started off really foggy but the fog eventually cleared. It didn¢t really rain, mostly just dripped off the trees but the colors in the forest are so much richer after a rain. The greens are darker, heavier, the browns rich and as I got into lower elevations the trees had bigger leaves and lots of trees flowering. I¢m glad I don¢t have allergy problems!I got into Damascus about 11:00 am. The trail comes down off the mountain right between 2 houses! I then walked to the Outfitters to pick up a few little items. Some stuff to try and patch up my boots that have the toe coming apart, a new clip for my platypus hose and different socks. Don¢t ask¢¦¢¦.I had gotten new thinner socks in Asheville at the outfitters suggestion¢¦¢¦.and have sent my nice thick cushiony socks home so, now I am back in thick socks.The guys in the outfitters were trying to tell me that I didn¢t have my boots laced up tight enough which is why my feet hurt with Superfeet insoles! The reps that sell the Superfeet must do one heck of a sales job! It reminds me of the drug reps I used to deal with as a Nurse Practitioner. Anyway, I politely told them what I think of ¢stupid feet¢ and that I also wasn¢t interested in any Vasque (?), Montrail or Asolo (?) boots. I¢ve tried on many different styles by those companies and they don¢t fit me.So, I went to the post office, forwarded my bounce box to my next drop, got my food box and got a surprise box from Amy, of the Yahoo Women¢s Hiker List-my 2 tie dyed bandanas! Thank you Amy! If I pass 42 (which I doubt-she¢s a few days ahead) and Transcriber (still back in Damascus) I¢ll show them the bandanas.Next I called my friend and colleague Linda Stewart who came and picked me up. Linda and her husband Tom live in Bristol, VA and took me home, fed me, I got a shower and a real bed to sleep in. It was absolutely wonderful! Linda drove me around Bristol (in the rain) to show me the sites, the NASCAR race track and took me to a local outfitters. There I tried on a pair of Solomon boots (I¢ve never tried on this brand) and I had one of those ¢OMG¢ moments. My feet felt like they were in heaven! Only the boots were a 12 size too big and they didn¢t have my size. When I got back to Linda¢s house I got online, found them and the new boots will be waiting for me at my next stop.Then I got the real highlight of my day-I got to see-and touch- the ¢Lavender Bride¢! Now, I¢m not going to go into the story of the Lavender Bride but it¢s a wedding dress Linda made. Any of the PAAC (Professional Association of Custom Clothiers) members reading this can drool all you want! The dress is fabulous and the picture of it on Linda¢s website doesn¢t do it justice! What a wonderful evening for me-getting to play with fabric and gowns¢¦¢¦¢¦.Oh well, back to hiking.