4/23

6:00am

I feel bad getting up early and disturbing everyone. It's funny how at the beginning of the trip I would have been the one that would be fighting to go back to sleep. I lounge in my sleeping bag and read till the sun is fully up and then I scramble to get on the trail. I have come to enjoy my daily routine and the consistency that it holds for me. Continuing the trail is far easier when you have a plan you can execute on a daily basis. Same could be said for anything I'm sure, but out here I have seen people go home because they can't find a rhythm or never get accustomed to the daily little things. 

It's clear and warm. Trees are still somewhat barren or beginning to bud now. The foliage on the forest floor seems to have a little more color and I continuously see more and more wildflowers. Many more insects have begun to make their presence known as well. I think spring will finally set in over the next few weeks.

3 miles outside of Damascus a sign tells me I am out of TN.  From here it is something like 500 miles of VA. There will not be as many vicious mountain climbs with elevation change to irritate me. Ah I have been told when the leaves truly grow in, one will only see the trail and green while in VA. Apparently the canopy and the rolling hill sections cause one to feel almost enclosed in nature as you walk the trail without view of open space around you. I will have to see how I feel about these descriptions given to me when I get farther in. I have a tinge of sadness as I look over the sign again. Up until this point I never wanted to drop out by any means yet there was some comfort in knowing that at any point I could jump in a car and be home in a couple hours. No longer will that be the case, I have no intention of abandoning my adventure and into the unknown I tread now, with spirit as high as the day I started and mind open to the exceptional. 

Got into Damascus around 5 and all I could think about was candy and food. I got a burger and some cheap candy, set up my bunk at a local hostel and then just looked for something to do. Arriving in town always prompts people to do their own thing depending on what kind of adventures they plan on having off the trail. 

Having run into some friends I have made along the way, we lawless decide for a draft beer and good company. It's nice that hikers can get together and we have such a kind community. The small town bar we visit ends up holding something like 20 hikers and we play cards and run the jukebox. Hiker midnight hits hard early and we all head to our respected bunks. 

Hiker midnight is a new term I have learned that means, around 8:30 - 9pm when we all get tired, that feels like midnight to us for sure..