Date: 2003-06-25
From: The Place, Damascus, VA

To: Lost Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 15.8
Weather: few clouds

I woke up this morning at the Place, the premier hostel of Damascus, thinking of my own bed at home: soft mattress, comfy covers, six pillows, Ebbe at my feet... I wanted to be there, quite honestly. I wanted to go home.Maybe it has something to do with my friends leaving yesterday. Maybe the dread I always feel towards the climb out of town that awaits me today. Maybe my reluctance to leave civilization, even though I am ambiguous to it. (Two bad things about being in town for me - I stay up too late and eat too much!)I always sign the registers "Hephzibah GA->ME, TO GROW", a reminder to myself of why I'm out here. I've asked myself before, and I ask again this morning: Have I grown enough yet? If I left the Trail now would I have accomplished any of my goals (besides the obvious one of reaching Katahdin left un-accomplished)?No. I will keep going. I want to keep going - the bigger part of me wants to keep going.I set my mind on the next small goal - ten or so days to Pearisburg. And between here and there the famed Grayson Highlands, the Partnership shelter where a shower and pizza delivery are among the amenities, other things I've been anxious to see. Again the excitement wells up inside that I've made it this far, and I remember Matt's statement, "We're jealous of every day you're out here." and all the others in my guestbook who have written encouraging and inspiring words. Thank you!!!Later...After a final run to the PO< breakfast at the Ole Barn courtesy of Walrus and Old John American Nomad, and one last e-mail check at the library, Toby and I dragged ourselves away at noon.My pack actually felt pretty good. Without water, it weighed 34 1/2 pounds. I sent my tent body home to save weight; I've hardly used the tent anyway, and I'd like to see how I like it with just the groundsheet and fly. Also got rid of my second pair of shoes...that made a big difference! Sent my boots home, so I just have the new Salomons. So far they are doing well; I think the insoles will help.So I felt good about my hiking today. The climbing was relatively gradual and my rests were few and far between. Felt my right shin some, mostly towards the end of the day. Stretched out real well tonight and gave it a good massage; we'll see how it goes tomorrow.We got here to the shelter at about 7:45. Mariner is here - he flew by us on the Trail this afternoon - a guy from Seattle. Nice guy. He shared a little Jim Beam with Toby and some homemade chocolate chip cookies with me - could we not like him?Two other noteworthy items - we'd stopped to fill up on water and a young SOBO couple section-hiking came up. She was wearing a skirt - the second or third girl I've seen out here in a skirt. I asked her how she liked hiking in a skirt and she raved about it. I can't wait now - first chance I get I'm getting myself one. I thought it was crazy at first, but she sold me. I've always hated shorts anyway; almost rather hike in pants than these shorts I have. Besides the seams are busting out on the sides (I thought I was losing weight...); Lisa sewed them up for me when she came to Watauga Lake, but they are coming out again.As we all stood there talking I heard leaves rustling off to the side of the Trail, as if something were there, moving very slowly. I looked and saw nothing; looked again and there was a big rat snake! A good four feet long. As Toby and I continued on around the corner we saw another smaller one within the half hour.Well, into camp late means into bed late... It's after 10:30. Hoping to make a big day tomorrow - it will start out with a big climb, too. My favorite...