Date: 2005-04-14
From: Abington Gap Shelter

To: Damascus, VA
Miles today: 10.0
Weather: clear sky

Today Damascus.Tomorrow the World! muhahahaha!!!Actually, tomorrow is a zero day so my hopes of world domination will have to wait. Stick woke up around 6 and was off before I was even out of my bag. I tried to tell him that town wasn't going anywhere. So I slept a little more and I left around 7 because I was a little anxious to get to town too. It was pretty chilly this morning, but I worked up a sweat in my haste to reach town. The trail was rolling ups and downs, but that didn't slow me. I reached the Virginia border around 9 and stopped for a quick photo. Stick wasn't around, so I had to settle for a picture of the sign with just my pack.I cruised the last 3 miles into town. I was so happy to be here. Damascus, the phycological quater of the way point on the trail! Met up with Stick and took a few pictures before heading into town. We immediately ran into Shadow, who we've been trying to catch up to ever since the Smokies, and Sassy, who is back from her knee injury. It was great to see them. "The Place" is a hostel ran by the church here in town for hikers and cyclists. For a small donation, you get a wooden bunk and shower. Very basic, but just what the weary AT traveler needs. Met Odyessa here, and found out she made the 32 miles yesterday and is leaving today! Now I have to say, that is hardcore. Also ran into Doc, who we haven't seen since our first night in North Carolina. We eventually made our way to the laundrymat. While our clothes were washing, I called home and went to the Dairy King for a snack. After showering and getting all clean and presentable again, Stick and I went down to the outfitters. I was looking for a summer bag, aqua mira, and to see about getting my boots replaced. My heels had worn through on the back of my boots to the plastic and were giving me blister problems. They were Garmonts and since this outfitter didn't carry them, I had to go to SunDog outfitters on the other side of town. Long story short, neither Garmont nor SunDog outfitters were very concerned with helping me out. This took a big portion of my day, so I decided to send them back to Neels Gap where I purchased them for a refund and try some trail runners. So back at Mount Rogers Outfitters, I bought a Serria Designs 45 degree down summer bag, aqua mira, and against my better judgement, a pair of Montrail trail runners. They were quite tight, and when I voiced this, the guy said that trail runners were supposed to be like that. I didn't know any better, so I said okay. Big mistake. I should have caught that when he said, "You'll like these, this is all Lone Wolf ever wears". Well, that is just fine and dandy for Lone Wolf, but doesn't mean they'll work for me. Later, I went down to the post office to mail off my old boots, bounce my summer bag forward to Pearisburg, and to get my maildrop. I found out that it wasn't there yet. No worries though, I am taking tomorrow off, so I am hoping that it will come in. Stick and I walked down to Food City for some provisions and then down to Subway for supper. Today really stressed me out, trying to get things situated with my boots. Hopefully tomorrow will be better, because I plan to do absolutely nothing!