May 22 Mile 477

After a very relaxing zero day in Damascus, we had a great breakfast at the Apple Tree B & B where we were staying and headed out on the Trail. Damascus has been the best "trail town" so far. The AT goes right through the town and everything is an easy walk. We hiked out about 9:30, kinda late for us (city living is corrupting) and walked done the street for about a mile before going into the woods. On the way we could stop at places and buy stuff- but you had to be careful what you bought, cause you have to carry it. Weight is everything when all you can take is on your back. Did buy a sandwich at a little store to eat for lunch. I really like to do that when I can, as you can't have lettuce or luncheon meats out on the trail very often.
We had to hike up a couple of mtns where the elevation was about 1000 feet above the valley, over a few miles. Was a little tough, just getting. back into it after a day off, and it rained as we began the day. It was the kind of morning that if I was home and wanted to go for a hike in the woods, I would say, never mind. And take a nap or read a book. But we don't have much choice. It's either hike or go back to town. So we hike. The rain let up after a few hours. It's the kind of rain where we put on our rain jackets, then it stops, so we take off our rain jackets, and then it starts again. This time of year, with warmer rains, the jackets are warm, and wearing them when it is not raining, is not very comfortable. So, on/off, on/off. It finally stopped. The trail was tough, going up and down as usual, but not as hard as some of the. TN and NC trails. Paralleling the AT here is the Virginia Creeper Trail, the first Rails to Trails in the country, I think. About 100 years ago this county we are in Washinton County was one of the highest producers of lumber from the forests here. They built a rail line to bring down all the trees and lumber. Today that old railbed is a bike and walking trail through the mountains. It is great for walking or biking cause it has a very gentle grade. Some folks cheat on the AT by hiking the Creeper trail then getting back on the AT when they cross some 13 miles later. In fact since I am on the subject, there is a lot of cheating out here, which is sad. They have a saying "everyone should hike their own hike", which basically relates to speed and taking time off to visit places along the way or "flip floping" your hike, which means going further north, doing sections and then returning to where you left off, but eventually completing the whole AT in one calendar year, which is the definition of a thru hiker. Alot of people out here are skipping tough sections they don't want to do, or they jumped ahead to Damascus, for the big party of Trail Days and don't plan to return south to cover ground they missed. Its called "blue blazing" ( which is the blaze color of side trails that somtimes short circuit loops of the AT) or "yellow blazing" which refers to the yellow line on the highway-getting ride miles up the trail and never returning to the section you skipped. There is also "pink blazing" going off the trail with one's girlfriend or "green blazing" which is person that is smoking alot of illegal stuff on the trail. Anyway, as far as blue blazing and yellow blazing are concerned, that's their business, but they are not thru hikers, and shouldn't try to claim the title when done. Some brag about it in the shelter journals, how they cheated the trail. When you are struggling up the tough mtns or hiking and camping in the rain, and later on at a shelter or in a town a fellow hiker laughs about how he skipped that section, you don't have a warm and fuzzy feeling for that person. Not much honor in these folks.
The Creeper trail is beautiful and folks will shuttle bikes to the top and then ride back down aboug 17 miles to Damascus. Saw lots of folks flying down as we were hiking up the AT.
Hiked about 12 miles and some hikers told us about a great campsite by a river below the Creeper trestle some 2 miles up. Really didn't want to hike anymore, but were intrigued by the prospect of such a good campsite. Trudged on a couple more miles and found the site. Wish I could take it with me. It is right by this river and flat for our tents. Built a fire, made dinner and we are camping here tonight. Long hiking day for us again. Hope I didn't do anymore damage to my poor knees. Tomorrow we go up Mt Rogers- the highest mtn in Virginia at about 5500 feet. Need to get my sleep !