Date: 2010-05-12
From: Damascus

To: Damascus/ Traildays
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: overcast clouds

Wednesday, May 12th. I decided to put a bunch of my entries together, but found that when you clicked on my name, it showed "entry not available" because I had deleted the last one. Anyway, I'm going to put all the Traildays entries together here. As the folks pour into town, it's getting exciting! This morning at Mojo's I sat with Pawpaw and Willie, visited with Bag 0' Tricks, Lone Wolf, Pirate, and Sabbath Keeper. Lots of other hikers in and out of town. Some are planning to come back for traildays, but others aren't. It was good to see Cowgirl and Kelly walking around. Kelly is sporting new booties on her paws. This afternoon there is a cookout at the First Baptist Church, then the opening service. Thursday, May 13th. Everyone was scrambling for tickets to the First Baptist Dinner tonight. I got mine for 7:00pm. There are three times: 6, 7, and 8. They serve chicken, pork, beef, and lots of side dishes, with plenty of desserts. It is all home cooked and great. After dinner, I went to see Randy Motz (Windtalker) and Georgia (Mom) present their new book "The Walk" about spirituality on the trail. I just finished it and recommend it highly. Unfortunately, their presentation conflicted with a play about the AT that I also wanted to see, so I had to choose one. Friday, May 14th. Wow, what a day! Breakfast with a bunch of hikers, then took a walk around the vendors area. I waited for the shuttle to go up to the campground, but it never came... so I walked over to the Rock School to help get ready for the ALDHA (Appalachian Long Distance Hikers Association) reception. I was in charge of the door. My orders were to keep out anyone who wasn't bringing food, until the official opening at eleven. Not everyone wanted to listen to me... The reception was great and we had tons of food left over. We sent packages down to tentcity, the Place, and the ATC tent in the vendors area. Then I went outside and found more friends to visit. Gypsy Lulu did my hair up in an amazing crown braid which circles my head. Next I competed in AT Jeopardy. Unfortunately, I couldn't hear a lot of the questions and came in last. Oh well... Then everyone poured in for the preview of the movie "Trail Angels" featuring Baltimore Jack, Mala, Trail Angel Mary, and Miss Janet. It was great! On the Loose called me and asked me to join her, Braids, and Braids' Mom for dinner. After dinner, we walked back down the street where I saw Grommet and Storm from last year's packadiva's. I can't wait to see what awaits for tomorrow!Saturday, May 15th. Walked around town seeing who was where, mailed stuff home so I don't have to carry it, then went down to get a hot dog. They changed the time for serving hot dogs from 12 to 1, so I went to Mojo's and got a smoothie instead. By the way, if you haven't had a peach mango smoothie from Mojo's, you are missing something awesome! I went back to the house to get dressed for the parade, and headed back to Sundog for a Hotdog. Everyone started to gather for the parade. This year there was no one organizing the classes, and there were no banners, so there was no order. The hikers even ended up in front of one of the firetrucks who are supposed to be first. Anyway, there was a great group and the parade was fantastic, (but wet with all the water guns and hoses). One guy went against the whole crowd with a "SOBO" (southbound) sign. Funny! Afterwards, I followed Hopper back to Abingdon so she could return her rentacar. Then it was yard parties for the rest of the evening. Ron Haven had a great party at his RV and Suzanne had one for her guests (I had a special invitation). On the Loose and Braids headed over to the Rock School for the Contra Dance. But I stayed with the mature adults while a Bluegrass band played on Suzanne's porch for the evening. Gotta love Traildays!