Sept. 3, ’09
Finally arrived in Damascus, VA @ 1:30 pm, following 10+ hrs on a Greyhound, which followed a train ride just under 8 hrs from Boston to D.C. A train destination closer to Damascus with a shorter bus ride, or even no bus ride at all, would’ve been easier to endure.
John from MRO (Mt Rogers Outfitters) picked me up in a company van at Marion bus station @ 1 pm. Now I sit across the street from MRO @ Dave’s Place, a hostel run by MRO. I took a shower, bought some trail food & hit the post office to send back a book, “Eiger Dreams” by John Krakauer, a good read, my wallet, flask & the straps from my hiking poles.
I figure my pack, with food & water, tips the scale around 25 lbs. That’s about what it was when I left here last year, the last stop on the trail. If it was 22 lbs I’d be happier, but still, it’s less than most ppl hiking the AT.
The cell signal isn’t the greatest here, so hopefully, I’ll get to talk with Beth at some point tonight. It’ll be good to relax here for the night, catch up on some lost sleep over the last 32 hrs. It’s just about 5 pm now, I’m anxious about hitting the trail tomorrow morning. I’m wondering how my legs will fair over the next few days, and am debating on whether to cook or buy breakfast tomorrow.
~Steve, The Pilgrim.
