In Virginia!

So it’s late right now so this is probably going to be pretty short. I got to Virginia, which was pretty cool. Virginia is thought of sometimes as this big wall that thru-hikers need to climb over. It’s in this state that most people lose the honeymoon phase with the trail and get what’s called the Virginia blues. I’m under the impression that it isn’t so much of something about the state, but rather the fact that a quarter of the AT is in Virginia. Rather than thinking of progress in therms of miles they might think of it in states completed. We have three down and only eleven to go, that sort of thing. I’m trying to not think of completion in these terms, but rather in time. I’ve been here for six weeks now, and a typical thru-hike takes six months. So I’m about a quarter the way done, even if I’ve only walked 470 miles.

Coming into Damascus wasn’t so bad. I mostly followed a ridge line so the terrain was relatively flat. This meant that I could really cram in those miles. Although I was having a lot of problems with blisters. My heels, pinkies, and then the sole of my foot under my arch. The strange part is that I never had these issues before, only in the last week or so. Hopefully the culprit was a worn out insole and super feet will fix it.

 

 

Today I took a zero. This allowed my feet to heal up and it also gave me ample time to do a resupply. Tetris and I shared a room at Dave’s Place, a hostel like place with private rooms. Instead of beds we just get wooden platforms where you put your therm-a-rest, but the price is unbeatable. $21 a night for the two of us. This includes a shower but there was no laundry. For that we went to Crazy Lary’s, another hostel. Next door there is a thrift shop so I spent $2 on some town clothes. That way I could wash everything I own and not have to be naked under my rain gear. On my way out of town I’ll just donate them back.

Dinner was the real treat. A mile down a dirt trail next to the road there is the Damascus brewery. They don’t have any food, just 8 beers on tap. This wasn’t an issue, I just walked in with a large pizza from across the way. Ptarmigan and I shared this and enjoyed our time with some thru-hikers of last year. They were here doing trail magic for the current thru’s. It was awesome talking to them and getting advice on different parts of the trail. Apparently I have to find a good group of people and rent a car in Massachusetts, and then drive to six flags. It sounded like an awesome break from the trail.

 

 

 

 

This next section goes into the Grayson Highlands, a favorite part for many thru-hikers. I hear there are feral ponies, so I’m quite excited. As for my next resupply I’m not entirely sure. Probably head into Marion in 60 miles or push another day into Atkins. Marion has more to offer but I always like to push on a little further. Depending on my cell coverage I may post earlier, but it’s about four or five days away.

Until next time,

-Orion