Campsite to Damascus, VA

May 29, 2013
6.5 miles
6:15 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.

We were up early for two reasons.  One – we weren’t sleeping anyway. Two – we were excited that this is our last day of hiking for this trip.  We took down camp and got on the trail at 6:15 a.m.  As we went up the trail a ways, we heard the boys as they left their campsite just ahead of us getting there just before 7:00.  They were obviously excited about that breakfast.

We crossed the Tennessee-Virginia State line and had 3.5 more miles to go.  We hustled down the mountain and celebrated when we entered Damascus, this time from the trail. 

Damascus is a nice little, hiker-friendly town. In fact, it is called “the friendliest town on the trail.”  They have been hosting Trail Days in May since 1987.  The trail runs right along the main street where the Trail Days parade is held.  There are no chain stores, restaurants or hotels; but several folks have turned their homes into bed and breakfast establishments.  Also the First United Methodist Church offers a hostel for a small donation called “The Place” and Mt. Rogers Outfitters has a hostel called “Dave’s Place.” 



Entering Damascus

 

The trail passes through this sign in Damascus

 

Crossing the bridge going into Damascus

The trail goes right down main street

Dave's Place Hostel

We walked through town to our car and then went to Dairy King for breakfast.  Guess who was there?  Yep, the three guys were sitting there with big smiles on their faces enjoying that breakfast. 

We said good-bye to Damascus and the trail for now and headed to Knoxville.  We have been on the trail for 21 days and covered 225 miles.  Our longest section to date.