Day 132 - Damascus (10/11/2016)

We cheated today. There was a detour from the Appalachian Trail onto the Virginia Creeper Trail which is a nice flat, wide walking and cycling trail that runs straight into Damascus. When the detour ended and returned up the ridges, we decided to "not see the end of the detour." I don't regret it at all.

First up in Damascus: second breakfast at a diner. Then we did a tour of the three outfitters in town (I bought another layer of Merino wool, and some gloves, and got a free pair of hiking socks from a friendly shop owner). Then we checked in at our hostel (the three of us have a room to ourselves), and headed out for a food resupply.

When we got back, Blueberry Crisp made a spinach and cottage cheese lasagna that could have fed a village, and Flatlander made brownies. We polished off the entire lasagna (with lots of garlic bread), then most of the brownies. This was after eating a pint of grape tomatoes, a snickers bar, half a can of pringles, and a few other snacks. Watching hikers eat is disgusting, but I'm not hungry anymore. For now. I'll probably finish the pringles before bed.

Tomorrow, back on the trail after breakfast. For now, it'll be nice to sleep without my water filter (freezing a Sawyer filter can destroy it, so we keep them in our sleeping bags), and wake up warm.

Start: Saunders Shelter 

End: Woodchuck Hostel, Damascus, VA

Distance: 9.3 miles 

ETA: Nov 30 - Dec 3