Arrived in Damascus, VA

I noticed Daniel's Facebook page was recently updated, so I dialed him up.

He's currently in Damascus and taking a zero to take care of business. He's staying at a hostel called "The Place," owned by a Methodist church but run on a sort of work-plus-donation honor system. When I caught him, he was hanging out in a coffee shop with a guy named "Never the Same" who, interestingly, is from Carrboro and does contra dance (woot).

Daniel told me about some night hiking he did around Watauga Dam, I believe. It was a full moon, so a good time to night hike altogether. He was sitting by the dam and saw what looked like bright headlights coming over the mountain, and that was actually the moon. He characterized the seven miles, three hours he hiked in the dark by himself as "intense," with his body in "high awareness mode." He was tuned to the smallest noises and sights, and they made his heart thump. Some glowing spots he took for insects at first were the eyes of some wild or free dog, who ran off barking loudly. Daniel said it "freaked me the f* out." At 12:30 when he stopped by a spring, he heard footsteps. In such times of uncertainty or fear, he collapses one trekking pole to use as a weapon. This time, he heard some animal make a call like a cross between that of a dove...and a Wookie. Three times it called, with a pause in between each. Daniel was unsettled enough to move on then. For one hour Daniel walking in the dark because his lamp went out, but there was enough light to see by. He made it to the shelter by 2, listened to some bears, and went to sleep. The next day was exhausting, until he took an afternoon nap.

Daniel took longer than he expected to reach Damascus because of two unforseeable events. The first was the opportunity to volunteer on the trail, which he said does not happen every day and which he could not pass up. The second event was an unexpected meeting on the trail. Daniel got to talking with another hiker about where he was from, and it turned out this guy "Matt" is our cousin's husband! Daniel ran into a relative neither of us had met before. It was so bizarre and awesome that Daniel hiked with Matt and his group for a few days. Wow.


Daniel has also had a few more gifts of free food and conversation.

He's next accepting mail at Pearisburg (VA 24134). I'll talk to him tonight to be sure that's at the post office. (NO, see below) It's about 160 miles away, and I think he plans on getting there in less than ten days. He or I will post soon to verify that.

Edit: He told me he'll be in Pearisburg June 30 or July 1...or maybe July 4. So let that guide you. He does not want to depend on the post office; instead, send packages to c/o Plaza Motel, 415 North Main St., city/zip above. Don't forget to note "hold for thru-hiker" on the package.

Daniel added that he met an 86-year-old hiker named Cimarron, and he also plans on buying a hiking kilt tomorrow to have more room for movement. Wear it with pride, Daniel.