Date: 2007-05-18
From: Damascus, Virginia

To: Damascus, Virginia
Miles today: 0.0
Weather: broken clouds

May 18, Trail Days and MoreFor the first time in a town, I'm itching to get back on the trail. Usually I get very comfortable and feel uneasy at the thought of going back out to where things are so uncertain. But, we are zeroing here today so we can take in some of the Trail Days festivities. The current plan is to zero again tomorrow but I actually don't feel like I need it at this point so I'll have to wait and see.I might be the only hiker on the entire Appalachian Trail that could take or leave Trail Days. It was exciting to see all of the gear vendors setting up and seeing the nice, new shiny gear on display but I could probably be content not watching the talent show, the Ramen noodle wrestling, or visiting Tent City. I am looking forward to, hopefully, running into some folks I haven't seen in a while or people from years past whose journals I've read. Right now though, it's 9:12 a.m. and I am laying in bed sipping hot tea. I'm not sure anyone will be able to pry me out of here!...Well, I did make it back to Damascus for Trail Days. Certain called the doctor's office around noon to schedule an appointment for her foot and the only slot they had open was 1 o'clock. We had no idea how we were getting into Damascus though we'd heard about free shuttles at certain points in Abingdon. We decided we'd walk to downtown Abingdon to find signs. On the walk down there, Certain was stressing out about being late for the appointment. We were standing on the corner of two very busy roads waiting for the light to change when a couple in a big truck pulled up as they were making a right turn and said "where you headed?". We told them we needed to get to Damascus and they told us to hop in! We didn't even hesitate and jumped into their extended cab. They were Leonard and Betty from Ball Ground, GA - about 20 minutes from Springer Mountain and were in town for Trail Days. They were very kind and took down our names so they could follow our journey. Leonard and Betty, if you are reading - thank you! Crazy things like this happen all of the time out here - had we not made it to that corner at that exact moment, we might have been late! Good thing Certain decided to run back to our hotel room for her jacket at the last minute!So, we made it to Damascus and Certain headed to her doctor and I headed to the Alma College research RV to participate in Part II of the AT thru-hiker study. I had a great time participating and hanging out with some nice Michigan folk. I again filled out a food survey, participated in an exercise test, grip strengh test, and was measured all over for any changes. I learned that some of my muscles have grown, some places have lost inches, my weight has stayed the same, I can jump higher now, breathe a bit better, grip a bit stronger, and carry more weight for a longer time throughout strenuous exercise. I never went back to learn the results of my urinalysis. I think it's so interesting to learn about all of this!After the testing, I picked up Certain at the doctor's office and we went to lunch at Sicily's (great pizza). Turns out that Certain has been doing everything right and she does have plantar facitis (spelling?). She was prescribed some medication but also given the choice of coming back for a steroid injection. By the end of the day, Certain decided that she wanted the injection so now she's trying to determine the logistics of it all since she'll have to come off the trail for a few days just to recover from the shot.So...we actually headed to the Trail Days festivities after that. We stopped by the Jacks R Better tent and met Jack and Jack. Certain was just about foaming at the mouth with all of the hammocks around. The Jacks were nice guys and shared a beer with me. Next, we visited the Hennessy Hammocks tent. I introduced myself to Tom Hennessy and told him how his hammocks have created a cult, how they try to "convert" people, and how they scoff at the "groundlings". He shared with me the story of how he got started and how he got REI to start selling his hammocks. Very interesting stuff. Tom was a nice guy too and I definitely enjoyed hearing his story. I knew I was quickly losing ground hanging with so many hammockers so I left to start browsing the other tents. Then I noticed some guy making eye contact with me and then saying "Persistent? Certain?" It was Leif, one of the creators of TrailJournals.com! I was pretty fired up that Leif knew my name and recognized me. I told him how impressed I am with the website and how important I think it is for hikers-in-planning. It was really great to meet him and thank him for the work he does. What a nice guy.The rest of the night was pretty fun too - lots of running into people I've met along the way and just talking with folks.We headed back to Abingdon for dinner with Scribe, her parents, and Gadget. After that it was back to the hotel for some rest. Sounds like Certain is going to get that shot so it looks like we might be splitting up. I'm a little worried about it - sort of feels like the day before I started this whole hike. I feel pretty unsure of what to expect out of this. But, I'm also interested to see what will happen from here. I'm interested to see how my days will be and how things might be different. I feel a sense of dread and am worried this may change how I feel every day but I also feel a little excitement as well - to see where this will take me.- Sound of Certain on the phone.Post Trail Thoughts:Looking back, I am so glad I went to Trail Days. It was such a great celebration of the trail and pretty exciting to see everyone come together.