Damascus Trail Days

From Helen (more pics coming later for this one):
On Friday 5/13 Mark and I picked up Jay and another thu-hiker, Mike, as they came into Laurel Creek and State Route 615 near Wytheville, VA. We brought them down to Damascus, VA for the annual Trail Days celebration. In Damascus there were many terrific speakers sharing their experiences about past thru-hikes. Gene Espy, the second person to complete a thru-hike of the entire AT, was there with the book he wrote about his adventure. He gave a presentation about his hike in 1951 and he autographed copies of his book for people. There were also several films shown, including a film about Katahdin and a film about the Pacific Crest Trail. To see more about the schedule for Trail Days and to see more pictures from the weekend go to http://www.traildays.us/ .

First trip for us was to the Damascus US Post Office for Jay to catch up on mail. We wandered around the vendors and briefly looked at outdoor gear displayed there, and then we walked down to Tent City where many hikers stayed the weekend. A great map of Damascus was provided online, and we oriented ourselves to what was available. Later we got Jay back to our hotel in Abingdon, VA, for a long-awaited shower and reunion with my parents, Ruth and Jack. (See Alpine Motel at http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g30220-d116017-Reviews-Alpine_Motel-Abingdon_Virginia.html)

That evening was spent at a Shoney's seafood buffet, and the next morning's breakfast was at a Huddle House. Jay enjoyed indulging in as much food as his eyes could hold.

Mark and I spent Saturday seeing the parade and vendors in Damascus, while Jay relaxed and did laundry with Jack and Ruth. There are many choices in lightweight backpacking gear now that allows a hiker to carry 30 lbs or less with ease. Every tent and backpack we saw made us wish to be out on the trail more.


Jay and Mike enjoying lunch at the
Appletree Restaurant in Marion, VA


Sunday morning Jack and Ruth and Jay picked up Mike from Damascus and we all went to Jack's old alma mater, Emory and Henry College, for church. We tried to go to Glade Spring for lunch, but that small town had suffered tremendous tornado damage in the storms at the end of April. Most of its restaurants were closed because of damage, and the destruction of homes and trees and other buildings was evident at every turn. We soberly turned toward Marion, VA for a country cooking lunch that allowed Jay and Mike to fuel up before their afternoon back on the trail.

Mark, Mike, Jay, Ruth, Jack getting ready to embark again

We were sad to part from Jay and Mike for now. Jack and Ruth took them back to the trailhead at Laurel Creek. Almost immediately Mark and I started planning our next rendezvous with Jay. Such great adventures lay ahead on the Appalachian Trail!