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30th April 2002 From: Damascus. After I closed off yesterday's journal I realized I hadn't described Damascus for the folks at home. Damascus, VA is one of just a handful of towns that the AT passes right through. Damascus has a population of about 1000; Main Street has a handful of shops and cafes, the library, and that's about it. Damascus has the reputation of being the most hiker friendly town on the trail. At the hostel last night there was only Real, who is from Millinocket, Maine, and myself. It seems yesterday was one of those days in town with few hikers. The day before apparently you couldn't move, but it seems they have all decided to move on. I was awakened twice through the night to the sounds of Real throwing up. It seems he had drunk some orange juice that someone had left in the hostel. I guess the lesson here is don't drink or eat anything unless you know its history! And now, on to today…..I was at the Post Office as soon as they opened and sent my bounce box on its way north. I started hiking about 8:45 A.M. heading out of town on the highway. The trail peeled off to the left and up. I wasn't sure how far I would hike today and would "play it by ear." By about 11:30 I was doing so well I thought I might strike out for the second shelter that was about 15 miles. Famous last words, shortly after, I took a wrong turn and ended up hiking on some side trail until after about two miles I realized I wasn't seeing any of the white blazes that mark the AT. So I had to turn around and find where I had gone wrong. After that, the trail just seemed to go up and up and it was getting quite warm, around 25 degrees Celsius. I wasn't feeling too good around now and figured the effects of jet lag were kicking in, so I struggled on to the shelter and just dropped out for a while. Saw some nice wildflowers today, two large black butterflies with white wing tips, a bright yellow bird with striking black markings, and one large black snake laying across the trail. I gave him a touch with my hiking pole and he reared up at me then slithered away.
It's a great looking shelter but everyone has decided to tent it tonight as there is a nice area behind the shelter that is covered in pine needles (pictured right) - great for a good night's sleep. Ishmail and Grinder have just turned up; male and female, age about 20. Anyhow, I'm going to cook dinner now and so I'll close off. 'Till next time. |
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I only saw about five other northbound hikers today and they all passed
me. Polish Ninja is here; he's from Denver, Tigger and Prairie from
Boston, and a day hiker, Road Dog, is here also.