Bud and Vicki Hogan's 1996 Appalachian Trail Journey
June 30
Abingdon Gap Shelter to Damascus, VA...........................10 miles
It was a leisurely hike to Damascus. Such a great trail. Smooth and easy. The easiest trail we've had since we began. It was a beautiful day with a gentle breeze. The temperature was perfect. As we walked into town we had done well over 2 mph, 10 miles in 4 hours.
As we emerged from the trail to the city and approached a park, a man in a car pulled up and introduced himself as Charlie. He was one of the supervisors of "The Place" and gave us directions on how to get there. After taking pictures at the archway over the path, we hiked through the park and into town.
We had done it. Finished our goal with two days in our schedule to spare. We approached the end of our journey with many emotions; excitement at our accomplishment of our goal, but sadness about leaving the trail.
We were looking for "The Place", a 2 story early 1900's house run by the Methodist Church. As we approached it, Ray came outside to meet us. He had gotten there the day before. He had stayed one day ahead of us since he left us at Hot Springs. He was waiting for his wife to come later that day and pick him up. We cleaned up, then Vicki, Ray and I headed to a restaurant for lunch. We had spent only 2 days on the trail with Ray, hiking past each other and camping together for 2 nights, but we were old friends.
He told us of his adventures these last few weeks and we shared ours. Came back to
"The Place" said goodbye again then headed off to do laundry. When we returned, Rays wife, Lori, had just gotten there. We shared a few minutes with them and one of their daughters, Erin. Then they headed home.
Shane, "Woody Pop", kept us entertained the rest of the evening on the front porch of "The Place". Sitting in the dirty, old, overstuffed chair on the front porch of "The Place", "Woody Pop" looked like he belonged there. It's just a feeling you get when you know that someone is where they are meant to be. Woody Pop was meant to be sitting in that chair regaling his fellow man with stories of hiking.
This page hosted by
Get your own Free Home Page