Bring on the Virginia Blues

I’m in my home state! I was ecstatic on Wednesday, April 18, when I crossed the boundary line from Tennessee to Virginia. Virginia is the state that contains the longest portion of the AT. Some people claim to get the Virginia Blues because the trail is so long. I say, bring it on. I’m gonna relish my time in Virginia. I’m headed to Mt. Rogers, the highest point in Virginia. I’ve never been there even though I’m from Virginia. I’ve read that there is no view from up top and it is so far from where I now live on the coast.

Broken Record

I’m taking a zero day in Damascus. Getting here wasn’t easy. It’s been the same story of cold, snow, wind, frozen water bottles, numb fingers and toes, and a sleepless night. Just when the weather gets warm and you think spring is here, then someone says snow is in the forecast.

Hiker Communes

My hiker hostel experiences have been positive for the most part. Some hostels are cleaner than others. The proprietors are extremely helpful at providing hikers with shuttle services to wherever they need to go. I lost a tooth crown in the Smokies, sitting trailside while eating a piece of sticky candy. I wasn’t in any pain but needed it reattached. In Erwin, Tenn., I was able to get dropped off at the dentist on the morning breakfast run. I got my tooth fixed and had enough time to grab some food and catch the shuttle back to the hostel. Some hostels are converted houses. The bathrooms and kitchens are shared spaces. Today I had homemade waffles and coffee for breakfast and homemade vegetable soup for lunch at Woodchucks. It has been relaxing, running into people from the trail and meeting new people. I’ll be ready to get back on the trail tomorrow.