The whole town is trail friendly and feels like an oasis to a hiker. I strolled down the main street, walked into the Blue Blaze Cafe, dropped my pack in a corner, and ordered the hiker special; a big greasy cheeseburger with fries!
June 11, 2013
The storm blew and pounded the shelter nearly all night long. Sometime in the early morning darkness it passed and only the breeze continued to shower down the left over drops from the trees onto the metal shelter roof. I was up at 6 am, dressed in my wet things and ready to go by 6:45. My only concern was my shoes and socks, which were still completely soaked from the last two days of rain. My feet didn't look good last night when I took them off, and I worried about 10 more miles on my water soft skin.
My hike started in the clouds. It was so thick the trail was visable only for a short distance ahead. It wasn't long, however, until the sun burned away the cloud and set up the perfect day. The trail was wet but walkable. The breeze continued to blow all morning. Best of all, I was finally headed into Damascus!
Damascus has always been one of the goal spots on the AT. The trail finally crosses into VA just 3.5 miles before the town (I stopped there for a big celebration!) and then comes down the mountain and right into town. The whole town is trail friendly and feels like an oasis to a hiker. I strolled down the main street, walked into the Blue Blaze Cafe, dropped my pack in a corner, and ordered the hiker special; a big greasy cheeseburger with fries!
The only shadow to this perfect day is my feet. I stopped several times on the way to town to work on them, but my efforts were not successful. Tonight they are swollen, raw, hot, and have multiple blisters. I have made it all this way without even a hint of foot trouble, so I guess its time to experience that also.
The hostel I am at, Hikers Inn, is the perfect place to be. Paul is a former thru-hiker in 2010, and his wife, Lee, is the best. I've already received a large batch of encouragement and information that will help me keep on the journey.
Goodnight everyone, from my comfortable and dry bed in paradise.
The storm blew and pounded the shelter nearly all night long. Sometime in the early morning darkness it passed and only the breeze continued to shower down the left over drops from the trees onto the metal shelter roof. I was up at 6 am, dressed in my wet things and ready to go by 6:45. My only concern was my shoes and socks, which were still completely soaked from the last two days of rain. My feet didn't look good last night when I took them off, and I worried about 10 more miles on my water soft skin.
My hike started in the clouds. It was so thick the trail was visable only for a short distance ahead. It wasn't long, however, until the sun burned away the cloud and set up the perfect day. The trail was wet but walkable. The breeze continued to blow all morning. Best of all, I was finally headed into Damascus!
Damascus has always been one of the goal spots on the AT. The trail finally crosses into VA just 3.5 miles before the town (I stopped there for a big celebration!) and then comes down the mountain and right into town. The whole town is trail friendly and feels like an oasis to a hiker. I strolled down the main street, walked into the Blue Blaze Cafe, dropped my pack in a corner, and ordered the hiker special; a big greasy cheeseburger with fries!
The only shadow to this perfect day is my feet. I stopped several times on the way to town to work on them, but my efforts were not successful. Tonight they are swollen, raw, hot, and have multiple blisters. I have made it all this way without even a hint of foot trouble, so I guess its time to experience that also.
The hostel I am at, Hikers Inn, is the perfect place to be. Paul is a former thru-hiker in 2010, and his wife, Lee, is the best. I've already received a large batch of encouragement and information that will help me keep on the journey.
Goodnight everyone, from my comfortable and dry bed in paradise.
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