Date: 2014-04-20
From: Damascus

To: Campsite 484,6
Miles today: 16.6
Weather: clear sky

Day 39- April 20- Damascus to campsite 484.6, 16.6 milesAfter another good night's sleep at Tom and Sandy's house we said our goodbyes and thank yous to them first thing this morning. Tom drove us back to Damascus where we had left the trail on Friday. It is always a bit difficult to leave all the comforts of a lovely home, but it looked to be a great day for hiking and we heard the call of the trail. There is a famous bike/multi-use trail through Damascus called the Virginia Creeper Trail. The AT followed the Creeper Trail out of town and then veered off to go up and over a few mountain ridge lines. We dipped back down 2 more times to walk on the Creeper Trail, which was easy walking. Some hikers opt to skip this part of the AT and stay on the Creeper Trail, but we followed the white blazes and know that we will return someday to bike the Creeper Trail (Bob and Sally, interested?). We enjoyed our time along the Creeper Trail because it is an old railroad bed and follows a beautiful creek upstream. Our last stretch on the CT was for .7 miles and when we first joined it I wondered where all the bikers were. I hardly had the words out of my mouth when a fairly steady stream of riders started coming by. Most bikers get a shuttle ride to the top of Whitetop Mountain, where the CT starts and then enjoy a mostly downhill ride. I don't know how long the CT is, but when I have some cell service I will do some research. Or if you are curious, google it and get some answers! One thing different on the trail today was that we walked through a pine forest where the trees dropped large, 4-6" cones on the ground. We haven't seen these types of cones yet, only the tiny spruce cones. We only saw one thru-hiker on the trail today-he got an even earlier start out of Damascus than we did. We saw 3 groups of section hikers, all admiring the fact that we had our "trail legs!" Our original destination was a shelter about 15 miles from Damascus but when we arrived in the early afternoon and I was still feeling good I told Jim that if there was a campsite within a few more miles we could push on to that. So that's what we did. We set up our tent next to a little stream which is making little babbling brook noises! It is very convenient for getting water and I took a little bandana bath! Right now we are the only ones here, but I expect other hikers who got a bit later start out of Damascus or some of the section hikers may get this far today. Right out of camp tomorrow we start our climb to the top of Whitetop Mountain, then we cruise through the Grayson Highlands. The Grayson Highlands are a favorite spot for many hikers because there are supposed to be great views and there is a herd of wild (feral) ponies which come right up to hikers! We're hoping for another good weather day! Once again we send our thanks to Tom and Sandy for their hospitality. We appreciate all you did to make us feel comfortable and welcome - you are true Trail Angels! Happy Easter! I thought about the wonderful church service that usually happens at our home church and in my mind I heard the brass and timpani making the Easter hymns all the more special! All is well.