We finally made it, we crossed the state line and we’re out of Tennessee and have reached Damascus, VA. What should have been 5 days turned into 9, far too long but shit happens.
Crossing into Virginia!
Rabbit and Cat dropped the five of us (Cricket, Caboose, Peanut, Prairie Dog and myself) back at the trail around 10 am. I can’t recommend them or Rabbit Hole Hostel highly enough. It was a great place to spend a zero. The trail was decent and up on the ridge almost the entire time. The miles were easy, but not a lot of stopping for pictures.
Came across some trail magic provided by Peach (’18 thru hiker). She had a spread of beer, burgers, and cookies. Yet again I spent too much time loitering at lunch. With 11 miles left to go we got back on the trail around 2 pm. Didn’t arrive in Damascus until after 8 pm and bought ourselves tent spots at the Broken Fiddle Hostel.
Damascus!
Heard a rumor that a guy named Giggles passed through Peach’s trail magic spot after us. He got drunk and verbally abusive and eventually escalated to him hitting her with his trekking pole. She’s supposed to come to the Broken Fiddle for more trail magic tomorrow and supposedly Giggles is planning to stay here as well. If he hasn’t learned to behave himself, I hope there’s someone around to get in his way – abusive behavior can’t be tolerated.
After setting up camp we headed down to 7 Trails Bar for dinner, met a cat guarding a blaze, and found signs of the AT all over town. Tomorrow should be a quick resupply and head back out on the trail. I’m also planning to get shorts with pockets and new insoles, hopefully that helps my perpetually sore feet.
Rick Flair and El Dorado were at the hostel when we arrived, so now the band is back together. We’re still on the leading edge of the bubble, so there isn’t a huge rush but I feel like we could be making better time.
Day 46 Mileage: 21 mi [Rabbit Hole Hostel -> Damascus, VA]
Total Mileage: 478.6 mi
Hey Paul. Section hiker Basil (Nikki) here. Finally found your blog and am loving the updates! Thanks for the post about Andy and I getting engaged! Anyways, praying that everyone from the group I met is safe. Please let me know if any of you need anything.
Hey Nikki! Thanks for reaching out and glad that you found the blog. I’m headed to Roanoke and catching a ride with Kacy back to Damascus for trail days. Where are you section hiking?