Another bear hang - we have a lot of fun finding cool bear hang spots at the end of each day
We underestimated our food needs at our last resupply and consequently draaaagged ourselves from Roan to Damascus. We crawled into town, paused at the Dollar General for an emergency Gatorade, and headed to the outfitter...where we found care packages! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!! The goodies revived our tired bodies and spirits. We couldn't be more grateful.
Damascus is a very hiker friendly town, full of outfitters, inexpensive food, and places to stay. Every year in mid-May, the town hosts Trail Days - a huge gathering with music and campfires and drinking. Picture a big hiker Woodstock. Many folks plan their AT start date to arrive in Damascus for the event. During our planning phase, Shiz and I had a funny conversation in which we both wanted to avoid Trail Days, but didn't want to say that in case the other wanted to attend. We danced awkwardly around the topic until one of us - Shiz, I think - finally admitted to not wanting to go. What relief! From then we planned our start to give ourselves at least a two week buffer.
Tennessee pasture between rain showers
In general, we've learned that the AT experience can be as social or solitary as you choose. There is a big social scene around the shelters and hostels, but it's equally possible to keep to yourself in stealth campsites. We typically see just a handful of hikers during the day and it's nice to chat for a minute then to diverge at our different paces. For the most part, Shiz and I chug along with easy chat between stretches of companionable solitude. Recently though, we hiked for about 6 hours with a woman, Lamb Chop. She was lovely and interesting (the first woman to own a Snap-on Tool franchise - so cool), but it was a huge difference from our usual days. Shiz handled it with grace...I couldn't wait to dive inside the tent at the end of the day! Much as I enjoyed Lamb Chop's company, 6 hours of conversation was too much.
I find it easy to judge myself for being too introverted , but I'm learning that it's just one more factor in this massive exercise in acceptance. Without doubt, there are a million different ways to hike the AT - pace, daily mileage, gear, food, social interaction, you name it. I believe that the key is to find what works for Shiz and me - independently and together - and then to let go of the need to justify any of that. And speaking of not justifying...in the insatiable human desire to compare and rank, the persistent question out here is, "what day did you start?" (not so subtly meaning, "do you hike faster than me?"). Shiz has the best response: "On exactly the right day to be here now, enjoying your company." Perfect :-)
We're taking a nice break and respite from torrential rain; then off to experience Virginia. Thank you again for all your encouragement and support. It makes such a difference.
- SP
Shiz has added more photos to the Google album. Scroll to the bottom to see the additions: https://goo.gl/photos/yVaQgu5Xce88YoVb8
Laurel Falls, TN - there is a video of the Falls in the google album
A favorite campsite along a ridgeline leading into Damascus
Checking for trout in Laurel Forks river
Another nice camp spot, nestled in the rhododendrons