Damascas Part 2

The trail has many hidden treasures along the way. Most of the hostels have been unique and fulfilling. The day after Beauty Spot was Samurai's birthday. I did not realize this until lunch time. I asked around but no one had anything resembling a cake. Luckily Pop-pop was going to a hostel nearby so I joined him with the plan on picking up a cupcake and candle for Samurai. When we arrived there was no one around. We walked around to the front of the house where the owner was installing a gas pump into her 1980's Chevy. As we approached she asked us if we were mechanics. Unfortunately we could not help. After 15 minutes she gave up and said she would make us food. We sat down to some cokes and ice cream. Luckily she had cheesecake and a candle. At that time Samurai, Sherpa and James arrived. We got the cake ready and surprised Samurai with the bday song. CC, the owner, then showed us her insanely obese cat who she said did tricks. She got a stool and put the cat on top. She then sang songs to the cat while feeding it food. All the cat did was eat...

Roan Mtn is the highest mountain on the AT until NH. On top sits the highest shelter on the AT and more snow. I hate hiking in snow but luckily it was only in a few places. After Roan begins a section of bald mountains known as the Roan Highlands. It looks like a scene out of Lord of the Rings. The last mountain in this chain is hump mountain. When we reached the summit I dropped my gear and declared, "Welp. I'm camping here." Soon the whole gang followed suite. We sat around a fire with 360 degree views, played cricket, listened to the radio and watched the sunset. This was my favorite mountain thus far.

I am now in Damascas, VA the "friendliest" town on the trail. The gang I have been hiking with have been planning a zero here for sometime. Like Hot Springs the trail goes right down main street. It is also just 3 miles into VA which houses over 550 miles of the AT, the most by far than any other state.

In Damascas there are no cheap motels. Only Bed and Breakfast's which cost nearly $100 pp. However, Sherpa and I like the finer things in life and refused to believe the hostel was the only cheap place to stay in town. While walking along the street/trail I noticed a sign next to a bike rental shop that read "vacation Rentals - 4 Bed, 3 bath." Later we came to check out the place in greater detail. It was $150 per night which included a fully furnished house with laundry, showers, full kitchen and more. We asked if they had cable and the owner said, "no, sorry only satellite." Sherpa and I quickly gathered every thrue hiker we knew in sight and booked the place. Since they had not changed the beds over they knocked another 50 dollars off the price. The place even had a movie library (we later watched Lion King.) After gathering 9 hikers it came out to $11 per night per person. Not bad.

That night Sonic, James and I went to the grocery store to buy dinner. James and I were thinking Spaghetti but my idea is much different then his. Apparently he is a miniature Gordon Ramsey. Anyways I boiled noodles while he did the rest. We had a delicious and filling meal. Oh yeah the Caps happened to be on that night and won. As were the Orioles. They obviously lost.