Date: 2014-05-11
From: Double Springs Shelter

To: Damascus
Miles today: 18.9

It ended up raining hard a couple times last night. Glad to have been in the shelter. Everyone was up before daylight to start our day. The rains had stopped but we were in the clouds for the first few hours. It made for great hiking, except the feet were wet from the grass on the side of the trail. Springhas aarrived, the forest floor is now green, which is very pretty. This was our easiest terrain day yet. Gentle ups and lots of downs. Town tend to be at low points, so down with light packs, little food, and up out of towns with heavy packs, lots of food. 8.2 miles in there was a shelter. There was very little water available today, so we had to hike .25 miles down a hill to the water source. 3G, ABear, Pockets and Slim all arrived shortly after me. After a snack and a little social time it was moving on north. I knew we had easy terrain and was feeling great so ended up walking too fast. I typically try to walk about 2.5 mph. The slower pace puts much less pressure on the feet and joints, especially when carrying a backpack. Well I covered the next 5 miles in just over an hour and a half, well over 3 mph. I stopped to filter some more water and dump the extra I was carrying to lighten my load. A couple miles later I entered Virginia. 3 states done, 11 more to go. A couple miles further and I came to the trailhead at the edge of town. I was greeted with a cooler of beer. The weather had cleared throughout the day and was now clear and sunny. What a great welcome to Damascus. It is a great town. The first half mile is through a town park along a river, then right down main street. I stopped at the first restaurant and ordered a pizza. Not too long in walks ABear and Slim.After lunch we head over to the outfitter and look around. They suggest we go to a B&B that isn't in our guide. There is a note on the door with a phone number. It is now 4pm. I call and turns out they are out enjoying a mothers day meal. BTW, I did send a happy mothers day wish to my mom as soonas I was Iin cell range. The owner said she had a room available, but it would be close to 7 before she would be back and have it ready. ABear and I made ourselves at home in their backyard, spreading our gear out to dry. We found a hose and cleaned off as much sweat and dirt off ourselves then hopped in their hot tub. After that we headed across the street and did our laundry. Then back to the outfitter to kill some time. The two guys working at the store both knew Casey, who was my mountain guide when I went up Shasta in 2012. Casey worked at this store in 2009, 2010. Fun small world story. We then got settled into our room and called Slim to see if he wanted to join us for dinner. 3G is at the same hostel, so the four of headed out. On the way back we ran Iinto BearJuice, who is in town with his brother. As were are walking down the road Caddy Shack yells hello out the window of a passing car. Earlier we saw Pockets as well. What a fun day. Tomorrow will be our first rest day. We already walked up to the grocery store.It is now after 11, very late for me. Good night and happy mothers day to all you moms.