May 14 - 16 - Trail Days, Damascus, VA

Trail Days is the largest gathering of hikers in the nation. It happens every year in Damascus, VA.

We got up on Friday, and Ken went and dropped us off at the Kroger in Waynesboro. PM was dropped off before us as he rode with someone else. Michelle, aka Cricket who thru hiked in '09, picked us up around 8:30. It was TW, SR, Samurai, and myself.

The ride down was fun. Cricket got to learn about us, and we got to know her. We told jokes and sang to songs. It was a fun road trip. We arrived in Damascus in the afternoon, and went and set up our tents in tent city. This year they moved tent city into the woods. I have never been to TDs before, but I feel like the woods would be better than a large field anyway. Seems like it would help make people spread out as well as block some of the noise from those that get too rowdy. Dark Star, Speed Stick, Apple Pie, Danger Mouse, and Stickerbush were already set up on "The Island." It was a part of the woods which was separated a little from the rest by a creek. We joined them and the whole "Maine Attraction" was back together. Now it had the two new members of Prime Minister and Samurai too. This was the first time we were all together since the last time we were all in Demascus a few weeks ago.

Most of the afternoon was spent catching up with everyone. Some of us went and caught the premiere of the documentary "Trail Angels." It has been filmed over the last few years and depicts the life of Ms. Janet, Baltimore Jack, Mala, and Trail Angel Mary. It was good. I have already come across Ms. Janet and Baltimore Jack back at Neel's Gap in GA. Later that night, most of us went and listened to Native Sway play. The story being told is that they were called just a few hours before hand on Friday to drive up from Boone, NC and play. They mainly just played jammed music as it appeared they didn't even set up mics. I called it an evening before they finished playing.

On Saturday morning I was one of the first to get up. I walked the mile or so into town and got in line to get a basic health check. A local church supports this. While waiting, I kept looking over at a gentleman near my parents age. I just felt like I knew him and decided I had to go ask him who he was. I walked over and asked if he was from Memphis. Ding ding, correct. I then asked if he went to Advent Pres. Church. Two for two. I then asked if he hiked the trail in the past. Whoop whoop, correcto mondo. It ended up being Rhea P., a gentleman who went to the church I grew up in. He hiked the trail last year and is now the ridge runner for all of GA. We spoke for a while, while waiting in the health line. I first got by weight and BMI checked. For all those that really wanted to know the other week, I have lost 17 lbs since I started. My BMI is also 10.8. I think I was in the low 20's before I started. After the weight check, I got my feet cleaned and then massaged. I also received a new pair of wool socks. After the feet therapy, I got my blood pressure checked and spoke with a doctor. The BP was 113 over 70 something...pretty good. I spoke with the doctor about the mild swelling under my left buttock. He said it appeared to just be an irritation from the camera and small wallet I keep in my pocket. That was better news than hearing it was a bite or staph infection. The last thing I did was have blood drawn. They will send the results in a few days to my email.

After the health check, I ran into almost everyone else. After some discussion, some went to Mojo's to get coffee. Samurai, SR, and I headed to Mt. Rogers Outfitter to pick up my summer sleeping bag that I had mailed there. On the walk a guy asked if we were thru hiking. We told him we were, and he started telling us about a documentary he is working on. He takes hikers pictures while they are attempting their hike. He will then spend some time in Maine and retake their pictures up there. He the shows the comparisons of the two pics. All three of us said we were willing to partake. We continues on to the Outfitter where I picked up my package. Afterwards, we went to the park were there were vendors and other tents set up that related to the outdoors. I spent some time just walking around and didn't buy anything.

After heading back to tent city and relaxing, we all went to where we were supposed to meet before the hiker parade. The parade is a combination of parade and water gun/balloon fight. Cricket had given us some 50 cent water guns, but they were no match for what the crowd had. As the parade was beginning, some girls who had won a beauty contest were driving by where all the hikers were waiting. They didn't stay dry for more than 3 seconds. A few fire trucks went by after the girls. The people riding on the trucks didn't last too long either. Most of the excitement was dodging water balloons and watching people get hit. Half the time I didn't know which way to look. I got hit once pretty good in the ear. PM took one right to the front of the face, which knocked his glasses off. As much as it looked like it hurt, it was pretty funny.

The rest of the afternoon was spent between the campsite and watching some of the talent show. I wasn't too impressed with the talent. People are always playing the guitar or some instrument while on the trail, at a hostel, or while in town. I'm not sure where this talent came from, but they needed some help. One of the best ones I saw was a 10 or so year old girl who had only been playing the guitar for a few months and taught hers. She didn't have any problems playing in front of everyone. I did catch the end of a raffle. I didn't sign up in time but people won some pretty good gear. Some prize packages were worth close to a thousand dollars as the included tents, packs, and cooking gear.

Citizen Kane played later that night, but none of us felt like walking back to the park from tent city. We just sat around the fire, had a few drinks, and passed DM's guitar around. Quite a few people stopped by. Again, I went to bed pretty early. I know a few people went to a bonfire to dance and listen to a drum circle. Throughout the night I could hear people up until close to the time I woke up.

I did get my trekking poles serviced by Leki. I should have taken my stove and fuel bottle to MSR, but I forgot. For the most part, you could take your gear to the respective rep to have it repaired, cleaned, or even replaced for free.

Those of us who rode down with Cricket met back up with her and headed back to Waynesboro. The ride seemed longer than the ride down. She dropped us off, we took pictures, and said our goodbyes. We went to the library to use the computers. However, when we got there we realized it was closed on Sundays. There was only one thing to do then. Head to Ming's for the buffet. The four of us sat for two hours eating. It is much tougher to knock out the buffet when you hadn't hiked in a few days. PM, Sonic, and Sonic's friend ended up joining us. Afterwards, all but Sonic and his friend went back to Ken's to stay one more night. We watched Snatch and then went to bed.

Dark Star signed up for Hardcore. There he will spend the two days after TDs with about 100 other volunteers working on a section of the trail. I believe this year they were going to be fixing up a part of the trail near Roan Mtn.

Finally, DM lost her wallet for part of the weekend. Someone turned it in to the police. Her cards and license were there, but they had taken her $300 in cash. As she only has a limited budget, she is going to have to leave the trail early. I am not sure how much longer she will stay out. It sucks that is the way she is going to have to end her journey. I wish I could do something to help her. I'll let you know if I hear anything else.

All and all the weekend was a nice break. I'll make it back to Trail Days some time in the future.