Is It Casual Now?

By 6:30, I was already jostled awake by the sounds of a hostel stirring. Though, being warm doesn’t help. Maybe my 30 degree bag is excessive now, given that we’re finally entering a true spring. It definitely is for a hostel bed, where it’s temperature controlled inside anyways.

So, I quickly texted Zelda saying that I’d be able to make 8:30 breakfast, as she planned, instead of the 9:00 breakfast she conceded to me the night before. I rallied Number Nine and The Kid to also come down. Goodwill was already there with Zelda at a table, and while mulling over the menu, I looked up and around to see who else was around. Turns out, Dragonwing had just made it in! So we started chatting… before I realized I had to order. The waitress recommended the Hillbilly Hash, so I just went with it.

Learned that Goodwill was going to go to a medical clinic later today, to check out his feet, and Zelda was looking to go to the chiropractor. Oof, sometimes, the trail provides I guess, but mostly to help assuage the aches its laid on its hikers . I made my way back to the hostel to quickly assess my food bag, and then went out to run a few chores. Firstly was spraying permethrin on my clothes. Permethrin spraying isn’t allowed at the Broken Fiddle, due the effect on the bees in the area. So, I found a parking lot, and quickly did a once over of my outfit. Then I ran into Dragonwing at the park, and then saw Five Lives, Wingin-It (Danielle’s new trail name), and Michaela coming down! It was good to see them again. And it’s been since UJ’s that I saw them last.

Bradley (the person working the outfitter) and I measured my foot and it turns out that it’s actually grown another half size since Gatlinburg. He also pointed out that one side of my Timps had caved in! But, I’ve only had these for about 270 miles. So I wasn’t ready to give them up yet…

I took a trip finally to the post office to mail some things around. Postcards for friends and family, and then a box of my winter gear that I felt I no longer needed. My puffy, a spare buff, my waterproof glove liners, and my sleeping bag liner, all items I haven’t used in a week. Then I sent a controversial one home, my camp shoes. I had the Xero Genesis sandals, and while they’re light, they’re not comfy. So I’ve just been putting my feet without socks into my shoes. We’ll see how long I can bear it.

Made one last trip to the library to write up some more blog posts, and fully catch up n on my buffer. There’s no pressure I feel to, I just wanted to. Plus, it’s still resting my feet! Then took the bike over to the Food City for a brief resupply, and then rode a part of the Creeper Trail back to The Broken Fiddle, for… nap time.

At home, I love naps. I was known in my office job to sometimes disappear for an hour, only to reveal I took a nap on the little bit of office furniture around. Not napping on trail has been a change (I don’t have time to in the day since I don’t get up early enough, and wouldn’t have enough daylight to hike as much as I want to…). So this was a new luxury.

At the hostel, a man named Soupy checked in, and started making a chicken and dumpling soup. He let me have some, and it was super creamy and delicious! Honestly better than restaurant food, but I made a commitment to spend as much as I could in Damascus. Especially after learning that the diner’s only been open for two weeks — I want to support the local economy as much as I can.

So, on that note, Zelda, Number Nine, and I went over to the diner again for dinner, where I ran into Marathon at the end of his section! Congrats to him… business for us.

The night before, at Tipsy Bear, I was told that there’d be karaoke, and it usually gets “wild.” After we ate at the diner, we went to Tipsy Bear just for the karaoke, and it was fun! I don’t drink, but I don’t need to to sing. Here, I also met another hiker, Haribo, and while we lost Number Nine to the clutches of the NFL draft, we picked up The Kid.

When we got there, some of the locals were happy to see new faces, and to be able to hear new voices. I opened up with “I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” as a celebration of being so close to 500 miles, before queuing up Weezer’s “Say It Ain’t So.” No real reason, but I just thought it’d be funny to do Weezer.

Finally, long into the night, after the three girls also showed up, I figured it was time to sing something unconventional for a small town in the south. So, I went over to the DJ, and put in a slip for “Chappell Roan, Casual.” I honestly didn’t expect them to have it, but to my surprise an hour later, they called my name up for it. And while I refuse to post a video of me singing on the internet, I think this still image captures the reaction of the crowd perfectly. Half laughing, half in shock.

Honestly, I think it’s the funniest thing I’ve ever done.

The rest of the night went by in a blur. Walked back to Broken Fiddle, decanted and repacked my supplies, and then off to bed. Mischief, managed.