05-17-13 Together at the Home Place

Woke up to the warmth of the sunrise. That, and the voices of dozens of hikers stirring.

B got his headlamp fixed, and I a cold shower--I've learned not to be too picky when you have indoor plumbing.

We socialized on the front porch of the Open Door Ministries then stopped by the Appalachian Long-Distance Hikers Association reception.

We walked to the festival in the Damascus town park and marveled at all the vendors. At AWOL's booth we could see the entire map laid out and where our friends are at on the trail. At the Black Diamond tent, I was able to trade my cheapy headlamp for a supped-up one.

My most exciting find was zip-off hiking pants to replace the ones I had wore through nearly 500 miles ago!

About noon-thirty we called it a day and packed up to begin the journey back to the trail.

With Stan at the wheel, the three of us--B, DNA and I dozed off to the rhythmic noise of the road.

One last splurge before reentering the wilderness--the Home Place. A family style all you can eat restaurant outside of Catawba, Virginia, we dined on fried chicken, mashed potatoes and peach cobbler to name a few. Definitely a gem--all the Virginia Tech graduates and their families can attest too. We felt a little out of place; us in our hiker gear, them in the Sunday best. But after we were tucked away at our table it didn't matter.

Back at the trailhead, before hiking a whooping two miles for the day, we enjoyed one last cold beverage with Stan and DNA. We cheers'ed to a good weekend and to the journey ahead.

05-16-13 Together at Trail Days

Arrived in Damascus, Virginia early. Met with the Open Door Ministries in the morning and enjoyed homemade cookies and hot chocolate.

Set up camp in Tent City. We reunited with Stretch, Siren, Bamboo and Morning Kid.

B and I were able to get our gear repaired--although not the prettiest mending I've ever seen, it suffices.

Feasted on a home cooked fellowship dinner at the First Baptist Church. Later that evening we enjoyed catching up with friends in Tent City. Luckily we camped in the open field because the campers deep in the woods partied early into the morning.

05-15-13 Somewhere near Damascus (again)

Woke up to the cock-a-doodle-doo of the resident rooster. Got a slow start because we only needed to hike six miles to Catawba, Virginia to meet up with DNA and his dad Stan to head back to Damascus, Virginia for Trail Days.

Once on the road, headed south, we stopped at Burger King to redeem a buy-one-get-one-free-Whopper coupon. We also stopped at a grocery store for food to grill later.

Arrived in the Damascus area in the evening and set up camp a few miles outside of town. Enjoyed our food and fellowship around a campfire.