BIG WRITE UP PART 2 - NORTHERN VIRGINIA

Back for a second post. So, naked hiking day completed, we had a nice stayover in Luray, VA with Elizabeth, Johnny Thunder and his girlfriend Theresa. The next day, I got my Virginia keychain, said goodbye to the ladies at Skyland Lodge. As Johnny and I entered the woods to get back on the trail, we came across Orion, and then the skies opened up. Luckily, Skyland's tap room was not far and we had a place to wait out a huge thunderstorm with marble-sized hail - while enjoying a few beers! By the way, those of you who are sick of Yeungling might find it curious that it's sold all over the South as a premium domestic beer. Finally got back on the trail and ended up stealth camping near a troop of boy scouts at a picnic pavilion. The next few days were more of the same, with easy trails, afternoon storms, and Skyline Drive becoming more and more annoying. Most of the thruhikers by this point were over Shenandoah NP - it is amazingly crowded on weekends, and having Skyline Drive so close to the trail really ruins any attempt at a quiet wilderness experience. In fact, the original creator of the trail severed his relationship with the Appalachian Trail Conference when they agreed in the 1930s to move the trail to make room for Skyline Drive (yes, the AT is older). He felt having a big tourist road right next to the trail would ruin the AT, while the ATC leadership felt it would give more people access to the trail. Both were right. If you are really interested in what happens when roads are brought through are National Parks, I suggest reading Edward Abbey's "Desert Solitaire" which is about his time in Arches NP in Utah in the 60's when a road was brought thru, completely changing how visitors experience the park. Anyway, most of us were glad to be out of the park simply because it means only 40 miles until West Virginia. As a buddy Wavepool says, "she's a moody lady, Virginia, tough to get along with. And despite trying a long term relationship with her, I'm ready for a brief fling with her sister." And what a last 40 miles. Very boring trail, lots of rocks, no views, completely overgrown and seemingly forgotten in parts, no good swimming holes. And to top it off, the "rollercoaster" - a 13 mile section where the trail climbs up and down over 13 viewless and rocky ridges. I had gotten only 10 miles into it and was in a foul mood when I came across Orion, sitting with a big smile on his face and playing his mandolin. "Keychain, so glad to see you - get ready to change your journey." Orion had been to Linden, VA to pick up a mail drop, and there he met a party of guys celebrating a friend's release from jail. A guy named Tom called Orion over, and in short time offered him the use of his canoe to paddle down 15 miles of the Shenandoah River. He just wanted gas money to come pick it up. So Orion went looking for me, and several hitches later, we had beer and a camping spot on the river where Tom would drop the canoe the next morning. True to his word, at 7:30am the next day there was Tom and his canoe, and there we were, "aqua-blazing" past the Roller Coaster, skipping over rapids, getting tan, drinking beers, and enjoying the fun the river provided. And the river kept on providing. Two hours into the journey, we found a dented aluminum canoe, abandoned on a mud island. It floated well, with only a slow leak, and so we commandeered her and gave her the trail name "Proud Mary." We caught up with Tom at the end of the 15 miles, returned him his canoe, and told him we were heading on towards Harpers Ferry in our own. So, Orion and I set off in Proud Mary for another 15 miles, stopping overnight at a hidden riverside camping spot that had a picnic table and clean-running stream for water and cleaning up. The only hitch was that our map showed five "falls" on the river below where we gave Tom his canoe back, and no one we talked to could tell us anything about those falls. So on the second day, we strapped everything tightly to the Proud Mary, and headed into the unknown. Luckily, the "falls" turned out to be minor Class 2 rapids, but they caused excitement and were fun to run. We ened up at Route 9 in West Virginia, unable to get around a power plant dam. One call to Tom, and he came to return us to the trail, taking the Proud Mary as payment. What a guy! What a way to leave Virginia! What an addition to this journey! So Orion and I did end up walking the last 6 miles into Harpers Ferry, West Virginia - our 5th state, our 1,000th mile, our halfway point in time, our near-halfway point in mileage. When we arrived this morning, we promptly got our photos taken at the Appalachian Trail Conference's headquarters for their record books. We are the 460th and 461st thru-hiker to pass through this year, out of an estimated 1,200 that started in Georgia. A proud moment indeed! I plan on staying overnight, but accomodations are tight since the major hiker hotel is closed for renovations. There is talk of doing all of Maryland's 40 miles in one day tomorrow, but I'm not sure I want to push that hard - plus I need to find a town in Maryland that sells keychains. We shall see. However, I can say that the next time I am able to blog, I will be in my homestate of Pennsylvania!

BIG WRITE UP PART 1 - SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK

Hello to all the faithful readers! I am sitting in the public library here in Harper's Ferry, WV - the halfway point (at least psychologically if not physically) of the AT! Since I didn't make any stops since seeing Elizabeth, I haven't had a chance to blog, and have a lot to tell you all. So I will try to write a couple entries - this one will concern Shenandoah National Park. After I last wrote, I left Waynesboro and my buddy Orion and I entered the Shennies, which I will describe as a thru-hiker's vacationland. The trails in the Park are nicely maintained and not very steeply graded - a decent hike for any weekender, but a breeze for anyone who's already walked 900 miles. Additionally, there are 4 waysides along the route that serve food and delicious blackberry milkshakes, as well as a few campgrounds and other places to get water and food and showers. Not very backcountry at all - I didn't have to filter my water at all. Not to mention, Skyline Drive is parallel and close to the AT at all times, so whenever you feel like blue-blazing around some pointless climb, you may. Orion and I were able to punch out a 27.3 mile day the first day, and I followed it with an 18 mile day in an effort to meet Elizabeth on time. Orion would've come with me, but fell in with a couple Germans who flew to DC and bought a cheap van and are traveling across the country, with Shen. NP as their first stop. They were feeding and drinking Orion up pretty well, so he was slow for day 2. I admit, I did blue-blaze on Skyline Drive a few times for these days, but only for a total of 9 miles. The road is simply too boring, and as the weekend drew near, the amount of traffic grew to be too much to want to walk beside. However, good things happen on the road - we hit two instances of trail magic when a thruhiker's mom gave us chicken strips and soda, and a fellow thruhiker named Bojangles, who is leaving the trail, picked us up in his pickup truck for an impromptu party at an overlook. It was this last trail magic event that Elizabeth found me at, and it was a sweet reunion indeed. Other hikers who weren't there said they heard about the lovey lovey going on. Unfortunately, the party reunion caused me to skip a 17 mile section of the trail that I didn't go back and do. This is a break of one of the three cardinal rules I have for myself - always walk in a continuous manner (no skipping), always walk north, and always carry my pack. Elizabeth's visit was a worthwhile break of the rules though, and as another hiker Burrass tells me, "at the end of the day we'll get a patch that says "2,000 miler" but since the trail is 2,176 miles, I figure we got a hundred seventy-six miles to play with." I broke my second rule with Elizabeth as we walked 8 miles south from Skyland Lodge to Big Meadows Lodge on Saturday. I should also explain that this day was the Summer Solstice - the longest daylight of the year and otherwise known as NAKED HIKING DAY. Well, I'm not one to break from trail tradition, even if it's on a Saturday in the most crowded section of Shenandoah National Park. Let's just say my entry in the trail register at the lunch shelter read something like, "Keychain is in ur woods, observing the solstice. Lady E saw a bare."

A Trip to the Trail

I am back in Philadelphia after a wonderful weekend in Shenandoah National Park with Shawn. Teresa and I drove down on Friday afternoon, and as their location changed from hour to hour (“we’ll see you in Elkton,” became “there’s nothing in Elkton… meet us in the park,” became “we’re at mile marker 65 having a party on the side of the road with some other hikers.” Yep, that’s how they roll on the trail…) Just before we pulled onto Skyline Drive, a small black bear ran in front of us … this means I saw a bear on the trail before Shawn, which he finds incredible unfair.

We pulled into the wayside off Skyline Drive, and words can’t describe how wonderful it was to see him across the parking lot. I almost forgot to put the car in park! It was just amazing. We got to meet a bunch of hikers, and finally can put some names with the photos I’ve seen and stories I’ve been hearing.

It turns out that shortly after Shawn wrote the previous post at 6:45 am, he hiked 27 miles (!), his personal best day, and then 18 miles the next day, in order to make it up to where we were meeting them in time.

We stayed at Big Meadows Lodge in the park on Friday night and listened to some live music at the Tap Room that night. We hiked an 8-mile stretch of the trail on Saturday afternoon – I had a full AT experience (except for the 30 pound pack) as it started to rain on us as we were nearing the end of the trip. We were able to get a ride with a park ranger back to Skylands to meet Teresa and Johnny Thunder, and then we all headed down into Luray, VA, for dinner and an overnight in town and off trail.

Sunday we spent some time hunting down a VA keychain for Shawn’s pack and some chicken sandwiches for Johnny Thunder. It was impressive and maybe a little gross to see the two of them polish off 5 KFC snacker sandwiches. Each.

Overall, a great, great trip. The last 2 ½ months have been rough, but this weekend made it all worth it. Luckily it won’t be that long again – believe it or not, they should be entering Pennsylvania in the next few weeks!!!

LEAVING NOW

I'm out the door - it's like real-time AT blogging!

WAYNESBORO EXTRA

Still here. Pizza Hut didn't have the all-you-can-eat deal we expected so we ate a couple of Little Ceasars pizzas in a parking lot. Which allowed us to see the huge clouds rolling in, and rain pouring down on the ridge a few miles away. Orion and I made the executive decision to stay another night rather than hike 7 miles in the dark AND rain. So here we are at the Lutheran Church, which nicely offers cots in their basement for hikers. There's a shower and even internet. I plan on getting up at the crack of dawn (we have to be out by 9am anyway) and getting out to the AT as soon as possible. My 46 miles in three days will now have to be done in two days. It will be hard, but I am ready.

WAYNESBORO! WAYNESBORO! PARTY TIME! EXCELLENT!

lHi y'all. Here in Waynesboro, Virginia - mile 850 and probably the largest town we've stopped in yet. The place is one of the friendliest of trail towns too, with a YMCA that graciously allows us to use their facilities and camp nearby. Yesterday, I managed to do the last 14 miles into town by 1:30 yesterday, hitch a ride, get a caloric injection at Arby's, catch a EuroCup match at a local restaurant, set up camp, and go for a swim at the Y. Also got to hang out with college pal Spencer Payne last night, who lives in nearby Charlottesville, and get dinner at Applebees. Those who know me well can see that I've had to completely drop my ban on chain restaurants and stores for this trip. A couple of other hikers - Snap, Snack, and Orion - had adventures on transit today as we took a bus to a mall to catch the Indiana Jones movie then use the bus to get to an outfitters for fuel. It was nice to sit in air conditioning and forget all about the trail for a few hours, though I can't really recommend the movie. We are stopping by the library and Pizza Hut on the way out of town tonight, hoping to do a few miles of night hiking. What's really exciting about Waynesboro is that we are 3/4 done with Virginia, and are entering Shenandoah National Park right after town. Throughout the earlier states, every hiker gleefully passed around rumors about how "easy" Virginia is and how fast we'd be going. I can tell you now that Virginia is NOT easy or fast, and the last week has seen some big 2000 and 3000 foot climbs almost daily. The biggest of these was 3 days ago, when I climbed Bald Mtn into a thunderstorm, with rain pouring down my back and into my shoes, making them nice little bathtubs. However, after looking at the maps, it seems that Shenandoah NP really is less challenging, and will kick-off a faster paced hike through the Mid-Atlantic. Can't wait. Let's hope so, because Elizabeth is meeting me on Friday afternoon, 46 miles from here in Elkton, VA, and I will have to pound out the miles to get there in time. We'll be staying in Elkton the first night and at the Big Meadows Lodge in the Park on Saturday, where I will take her for an 8-mile hike to give her a taste of the AT. At least I can say the heat has abated and the temps are back in the high 70s up on the ridge - perfect for walking. There's been lots of great swimming places lately too, including the James and Tye Rivers, and a 30' waterfall on a steep blue-blaze trail. These places aren't just fun, they're necessary since this part of the world is low on rain - Waynesboro's received 10 or 11 inches as of today and are usually at 22 inches by this time in the year. Water sources are low and sometimes not flowing at all, meaning we have to carry extra and walk further with it. The real excitement is that we are nearing the end of Virginia after more than a month here. Harper's Ferry, WV is a week and a half or so away and is the mental halfway point of the entire trail. Harpers Ferry is one of those places that seemed impossible to reach not so long ago, and its proximity is amazing. Everyone is excited after a long time out here watching the miles, and some of our fellow hikers, disappear. One other thing I should mention: with the heat has come the smells. Sweating into my pack, my sleeping pad and bag, and my clothes has made them stink like all hell. Even my tent stinks. I've taken to using incense for the tent, and am now dabbing myself and my sleeping pad with patchouli oil. I'm finally a hippy!

Ahead of Schedule... and in Glasgow, VA

I got a call from Glasgow, VA, this morning (pretty much in the center of this map - if you click on it, it should get bigger), where Shawn was supposed to arrive tomorrow. Our fast-moving thru-hiker is now officially quite a bit ahead of his original schedule, even despite the heat. He should even pass the 800-mile mark in the next few days!!! He now anticipates arriving in Waynesboro, VA, on Wednesday (where he was supposed to be next Friday or Saturday).... I’d estimate that Shawn is about 2 days ahead of where he thought he would be. I will try to update the mail drop list, and repost it, but in the meantime, if you are mailing packages, be sure to send them early!

I was lucky enough to get a flower delivery from the trail at the office this morning just before he called! And I got to have dinner last night with Teresa, whose boyfriend Johnny Thunder is also on the trail with Shawn. It was so great to chat with someone who completely understands what its like to have him away, and to hear stories from her trip to the trail over Memorial Day weekend. So, overall, a good couple of days here in Philly!

I’m headed down to visit next weekend, originally to Waynesboro and now to somewhere around Big Meadows Lodge in the Shenandoah. Can’t wait!!!

More from the trail...

Just got a nice call from the trail (or, more precisely, a town near the trail)... our hiker seems in good spirits despite the heat. Luckily, the town they have stopped in has an Outfitter whose property backs up to the James River. So, guess where Shawn will be spending this hot afternoon? That's right - in the water. Must be nice! He said they’d likely head out this afternoon when the sun starts to go down.

They are making pretty good time, and he expects to be in Waynesboro, VA, by a week from Thursday or so. We’re making plans to see each other then -– the first time we’ll see each other in almost 2 ½ months, and I can’t wait!!

Here’s one of the most recent photos I’ve gotten of Shawn (check out the long beard!!). I’ll be posting more photos to our Flickr account soon so you, too, can see the beautiful trail scenery, and Shawn in a dress during the Damascus Trail Days Hiker parade.

SIDE TRIP TO BUCHANAN, VA

Hi all. I'm in the small town of Buchanan, on a side trip during our "siesta" period. Its been very hot for the past week, and while I was happy staying at the motel enjoying the pool and Euro Cup soccer games for the two 100-degree days, I had to keep moving. The heat has made us alter the hiking schedule, so that we're up with the sun at 5:45, and doing 10 miles or so before taking the early afternoons off. Once it cools off enough to walk again, we'll go until sunset at 9pm. We hammered out a 15 mile day out of town yesterday, stopping once or twice to bathe in creeks. We're on track to do even more today, with help from the Blue Ridge Parkway this morning. The Parkway now runs right along the trail, so a few of us opted to walk the road instead, making 9 miles in three hours. Got a ride from a section hiker down to town for lunch and an air conditioned hideout in the library. Its a nice pickup too, since I accidentally left my candy bars and big block of cheese at the motel. We're having a colorie injection and then will sleep in the shade and swim in the James River today. Probably head back up to the trail sometime after 2 or 3 and try to get another 6 miles in to another creek for camping. Bath-to-bath hiking today. Boy I need it to - you should smell me!

STEAMY IN DALEVILLE

Hello all - if you've been watching the weather lately, you may have noticed the record heat wave hitting this area of Virginia. Its 100 degree high today, perfect for my first full zero day since Damascus. Yesterday was 97 degrees (94 on my pack thermometer up on the ridge) and ridiculously humid. I got up at 6am to start out and avoid the heat as I climbed McAfee Knob, advertised as the best view in Virginia. A bit steamy, but definitely nice. Funny how bad weather days make for great miles - my previous record was during an all-day rain, and I'm proud to say I bested it in the heat of yesterday, doing 20.8 miles over very uneven terrain to make it to town. I've never been so sweaty and gross in all my life. The days of heat have led my clothes and pack to smell - somewhere between gym socks and dead animal. I had to shower with a garden hose before a group of us hit up the Homeplace Restaurant in Catawba, VA on Thursday night, which might be the best all-you-can-eat on the trail. I had the skeletal remains of at least 1.6 fried chickens on my plate at the end. Nothing like the site of a dozen hikers laying on the grass lawn of the restaurant holding their disgustingly full bellies while local families are taking pictures with their recent grads. Its been a trying week with the weather, and realizing the haze, heat, and humidity of mid-Atlantic summer has just begun and probably won't abate until sometime after the Hudson River. There was a giant thunderstorm late afternoon on Tuesday, the same storm that brought a tornado to Roanoake, only 16 miles away. I was luckily setting my tent up at camp when it hit, but a friend named Dirty Jerse was on the exposed ridgewalk a few miles before and looked a little shaken when he got into camp. Some folks have decided they've done enough - 3 or 4 solid hikers dropped out this past week, and the rest of us are trying not to grumble too loudly. The scenery has been enjoyable, but the trail itself has turned very rocky in sections, and there's been many climbs up and over ridges as we make our way from the West Virginia line northeast to the Blue Ridge. Most of the climbs are on old sections of trails, which tend to go straight up the steep slopes instead of switchbacking gently across the slopes. Added to the weather and tough climbs are the bugs that are out in full force now. Mostly flies and gnats and those little sweat-bees that hover around and collecting on my sweaty arms. The flies can be a real pain, and are way too much to handle around the privies. I've taken to going in the woods mostly, where you have about 30 seconds before the flies find out what you're doing and tell their friends. We also spent two days walking through forest that was absolutely overrun with gypsy moth caterpillars. They drop out of the sky like in some Mission Impossible scene, on little spider webs that you walk through constantly, landing on your pack and hitching rides. You can hear the rain of leaf pieces and caterpillar poops as you walk through, and forget about enjoying lunch when you are down in valleys where they are thickest. But not all is bad. McAffee Knob and the other views are quite nice and its cool looking at the long ridges now that we're in the Ridge-and-Valley province that extends up into PA. There's been several nice creeks to swim in, and I spent the night dry camping twice on top of prominent knobs that had excellent sunset and sunrise views. Even did a little rock climbing up a steep rock pinnacle called Dragons Tooth at night to catch the stars (new moons are great star times!). I think the toughest thing about this section is its length, coupled with the lack of landmarks to measure progress by. That, and its been 9 weeks, and I'm missing home - particularly Elizabeth. Hopefully, she and I will be getting together soon, either in an upcoming town stop or for a short hike in the Shenendoahs. I think it will do wonders for morale and everyone here is dying to meet her. But in the meantime, I can do nothing but laugh as I walked out of the hotel room this morning into a wall of heat and humidity and cheered because today I'm zeroing and hanging by the pool here at the Howard Johnsons Motel and not hiking at all!

HOT HUMID PEARISBURG, VA

Hello from Pearisburg, where its 87 degrees today - a perfect day to not hike, and instead hang out by the pool at my hotel, and use the internet at the cute Courthouse Cafe. Virginia has been very kind to us so far, with relatively easy topography, some nice views, beautiful forests and farm fields, and lots of creeks and waterfalls to wade in. Highlights from this last section include the 544 mile mark - which means 25% of the AT is behind me now. A few of us wrote out "25%" on the trail with sticks, which people behind me have reported seeing. A few days later, we passed the 600 mile mark, which is not only important in its own right, but meant we were 25% done with Virginia. Also hit Partnership Shelter a week ago, where there is a phone and pizza delivery menus. A nice treat to have pizza and beer delivered to the woods! Last Saturday was spent at the SW Virginia Settlers Museum, a turn of the century farm and house museum, where a small festival with live bluegrass and amazing food cooked on a turn-of-the-century cast iron stove. Can't beat fresh blackberry cobbler! The next day, I blueblazed a half mile to a winery tasting room, and ended up packing in a bottle of white wine. Couple days after that I got a delicious breakfast from a local church group, and then crossed I-77 in the pouring rain. It rained all day, which can be difficult, but is good weather for doing long miles. Put the mp3 player on, head down, and did my longest day yet - 18.4 miles. I will be leaving Pearisburg either later today or tomorrow morning, depending on the weather. This upcoming stretch takes us on a ridge along the border with West Virginia for 20 miles before we return across the Shenandoah Valley to the blue ridge proper. Once there, we'll be crossing the Blue Ridge Parkway occasionally. I'm excited because I'll get to see friends at the end of the section in Waynesboro, and then Elizabeth in Shenendoah N.P. Everyone is in good spirits, and even C-Bass, who went home last weekend because he was bored with the trail is coming back today. Guess he was more bored at home. Franklin, who I had hiked with back in the Smokies before he had to quit because of shin splints, is also back. One weird aspect of the Trail is the number of stray dogs that seem to be living on the AT, following hikers around. The real oddity is that they are all purebreeds, not the mutts you might expect. I've met a sheepdog, a black lab, a beagle, a rat terrier, and even a chihuahua. Some of the hikers have adopted dogs - one guy took on the sheep dog who had earned the the trail name "Shit Dread" because of the clump of nappy hair hanging off his back end, got him shaved and found 30+ ticks living on him. If he had followed me another mile, I might have grabbed the rat terrier who is really cute. Luckily a pair of hikers picked her up, had her checked out, and christened her "Ginnie" for her home state. The body is feeling great, running strong. I'm definitely more fit than I've ever been, and nothing is bothering me any more than expected. Some foot soreness by the end of the day is about all, and occasionally something random like my quad muscles or big toe or even elbow will hurt for a half hour for no reason. It helps that the pack is nice and light without the winter clothes and bag, though I think I've made up for the lost weight with more of Elizabeth's delicious food. Definitely have the hiker hunger going on - nothing like hitting up Dairy Queen for two double cheeseburgers, fries, soda, and two blizzards. A nice 3000 calorie meal. By the way, I'm getting a day or two ahead of my itinerary schedule, so if you plan on sending anything, try to do it at least a week ahead of time so I don't miss it. Spence - I'll give you a call in a few days when I get to Daleville or Catawba about getting together in Waynesboro.

Update from Virginia

Hi all - I apologize for not updating this sooner with Shawn's tales from Atkins, VA, but work has been a little busy! He made it to Atkins last Friday, and spent the evening in a hostel with a few other hikers. The next morning, as he was waiting for my mail drop to arrive, he hiked out to a local historical society festival and got himself a good southern breakfast! Then, mail drop safely in hand, he headed back to the trail.... only to be sidetracked by a small local winery he passed along the way. After a short tasting session, our hiker was back out on foot. I got a "bonus call" two nights ago from Bland, VA, where a group of hikers decided to go into town and have dinner. Shawn got himself two double cheeseburgers (yes, two) and a blizzard from the local Dairy Queen and then they all settled into a hostel in town for the night.... until they all walked back to the Dairy Queen for another blizzard. He asked me to be sure and tell Chris L. that he crossed Route 77 twice ... ah, city planners. I plan to post his mail drop list in the next few days (its all typed up, I just need to find time to upload it!), and I also received about 500 new photos yesterday. Lucky for me, the camera card was in a box with two smelly shirts and a cool weather sleeping bag that should definitely be aired out. I'll post a selection of the photos soon as well... if anyone is interested in seeing all 500, stop on by!

TROUTDALE FINE DINING

Quick hello to you all after 16 miles of up and down from a little dining room where I'm enjoying the "best burger in Troutdale," by which they mean the "only" burger in Troutdale. Its a 3 building town: store/restaurant, church/hostel, and post office. Funny, there's internet but no cell reception. Great bacon double cheeseburger with fries and vanilla milkshake though. Spence, thanks for the offer - I'm definitely up for staying with you and will give you a ring as I get closer. As it is, I won't be in Waynesboro until a month from now - bout 6/21. Fun times going over the Grayson Highlands, which includes Virginia's tallest peak Mt. Rogers (5700ft). There are feral ponies everywhere on top of the mountains where its bald, and they love hikers because hikers bring snacks. Lots of foals about too. Been interesting cuz Trail Days allowed people behind us to catch up, so lots of new faces. Tomorrow I will be at Partnership Shelter, which is rumored to have both a shower and a phone from where you can order pizza. Should be fun. Then its only 12 more miles the next day to Atkins, VA for my next mail drop!

TRAIL DAYS BIRTHDAY

Still here in Damascus, finally found a computer I can use, though it will have to be brief. Having a fun time here in town, with the festival and unofficial parties over the last two days. A great way to celebrate turning 33 years old. Friends here got me a surprise cake and everything - a really nice touch. And thank you very much to everyone at home who sent cards, etc! The main event of the festival has to be the hiker parade, where Trail alumni and current hikers line up by class, and townspeople bring waterguns and waterballons to throw at us. Our '08 Class anticipated this and was armed with ballons of our own, chanting the soccer-style chant "Ohhh Eight, oh-eight, oh-eight, oh-eight"... definitely a good time. I overheard former hikers saying that they'd never seen a tighter group of people than the current class. I plan on leaving late this afternoon - C-Bass and I are going to walk ten miles of the Virginia Creeper Trail, skipping a 13 mile section of the AT. This is my first large "blue-blaze" or side route that cuts out part of the official trail. We're doing it after hearing reports that the Creeper Trail (an old railroad bed, now a bike trail) goes through a scenic canyon and the AT crosses one or two more pointless climbs without views. AT purists will frown on our blue-blazing, but in my mind, its a "hike your own trail" experience that counts. It will be interesting to see who doesn't make it out of Damascus. For weeks this town has been the focus of the hikers, and in the last week or so, discipline has broken down and people have been blue-blazing or even yellow-blazing (hitching a ride past a trail segment) more and more often. Lots of people are "slack-packing" too, where they pay someone to drive them to a road crossing and they day-hike back to the hostel or whereever without carrying a full pack. Myself, I am purist as far as wanting to move in a continuous direction, and carry my full pack the whole time. I don't have a big problem blue-blazing, as long as I don't miss anything worthwhile. Still, here is where we enter the "green tunnel" that kills many a hiker's ambitions. The leaves are out, the mountains are lower and have less views, there's no more trail festivals or towns where everyone gathers, and the partying stops. The true sense of how long the trail is and how much time is needed to do the whole thing is becoming obvious. We are at mile 460, and at 6 weeks, slightly less than a quarter done in time. Damascus is the last stop for many hikers, for whom hiking becomes a boring job, not unlike what they left at home. But I feel good, physically and mentally, and am ready for Virginia's 500+ miles! I will hopefully get to a computer in another 6 days, when I reache Atkins, VA. Talk to you then...

VIRGINIA IS FOR HIKERS

Hello from Damascus, Virginia - mile 460 on the AT and the psychological end to the hard South mountains. Got in yesterday afternoon for the start of Trail Days, or Trail Daze as I've seen it called sometimes. Trail Days is an annual 3-day gathering of former and current AT thru-hikers that overtakes Damascus every year, giving it the reputation as the friendliest Trail Town on the AT. Most hikers are staying at the Tent City, a nearly-free campsite a quarter mile out of town, but your favorite hiker has been lucky enough to score rooms from a few residents who are renting out space in their houses. Last night I was at the Hiker Hotel, and tonight I'm at the Dancing Bear. Beats sleeping in the rain, surrounded by the noise of thousands of partying hikers.

Sorry I haven't written anything for a while - there was no internet access between Erwin and here. Since Erwin, the trip has been pleasant with great weather, somewhat easier terrain, and lots of socialization. I've dubbed this section the "Salad Days". I had to slow down a bit too, to prevent myself from getting here too early, which made for lots of easy low-mileage days. Had some great meals at a few hostels along the way, and quite a raucous party broke out at Overmountain Shelter in the Roan Mtn Highlands. The shelter is an old barn near a road and a trail crew made of Appalachian State University students brought up a keg, some moonshine, and lots of hamburgers and hot dogs. Unfortunately, the weather turned foul as the party went on and by 11pm, a full 40mph wind and driving rain was blowing everyone around. My tent blew over, even with all my gear inside, and if it weren't for the heoric actions of Johnny Thunder - he pegged it down with my hiking poles - it might of been lost. Unfortunately, the head of the ASU students lost his tent completely. It blew away never to be seen again. Hiked out the next morning in the same weather, over miles of treeless balds - quite an experience.

Damascus has been on everyone's mind for weeks now. Trail Days is fun, lots of cool stuff going on - talks, slide shows, retailers, free food, drinking, etc.

Oops, my time is up - will finish this later.