THE ROAD TO DAMASCUS - COMPLETE. 459 Miles.

Many unposted entries from Trail journals. Most recent first.

3/31

GREETINGS FROM DAMASCUS VA! I cannot believe that I have been so blessed to have made it this far! What a victory. Such a milestone! And with Damascus comes a trip home for Easter week. Hawk and I are renting a car and taking 7 days to be with family for the holiday. I am having the time of my life, but I also recognize that this is the longest I've ever been away from home (exactly 6 weeks) and that home is the best place to recharge my heart, soul, and stomach.

The walk into Virginia is a beautiful ridge walk. Hawk and I ended up hitching in from 91 (we were really ready for some food/sleep), and are heading out tomorrow before we leave on Monday to do the last 19 miles to Damascus so we can feel good about having completed this section. I have walked past every single white blaze so far, and feel proud and right about finishing strong into VA. What is the point of walking the Trail if you don't do all of it?

Hitchhiking is a real adventure, and it is very crucial to be with a strong guy during the process. I would not hitch alone in the South. Or anywhere for that matter. A very wasted group of 20-somethings pulled over for us, and gave us 2 beers, after apologizing that they couldn't go our way. I said, DONT WORRY ABOUT IT. This trip is definitely eye-opening and wild some days. Here in Damascus live 900 people. In a month and a half, 25,000 will infiltrate this tiny town. Hard to imagine.

Last night we listened to some bluegrass and hung out at the Old Mill Restaurant with Tito, FedEx, Molasses, Coughdrop, KY Blue and Guthook. I have also caught up to Zero (who is as cool as his journal) here in town at the library. Awesome!

We'll be back on the Trail on Monday afternoon (the 9th I think). I can't wait to hit VA! Whoop! I have bought a hiking skirt, and am excited about my new outfit. Very comfortable and free! This retreat for a week feels ordained - a time to get rebooted and pumped for VA, be with my incredible family for a few, and gather my thoughts. (Sunrise I owe you a phonecall! Please keep on praying. God is moving in mysterious, "protective" ways. I am safe and at peace. Thinking of you daily - will call from NJ.)

This trail is shaking my core philosophies and I like it. At home I will update with several longer entries about my time out here. In excelsis deo!

"I can count a million times
People asking me how I can praise you
With all that I've been through.
The question just amazes me
COULD CIRCUMSTANCES POSSIBLE CHANGE
Who I forever am in You?

Bring me joy. Bring me peace.
Bring the chance to be Free.
Bring me anything that brings you glory.
And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain...
But if that's what it takes to praise you
JESUS BRING THE RAIN."

(-Mercy Me)

PEACE FROM THIS ALLEYCAT

3/26

The first chapter of this journey is almost over. Soon begins Virginia, the great miles state, the mental challenge, the second step. Here we come! Hawk and I are together and having a great time hiking along this beaten path. The last few days have been entirely mind-blowing with the views from the balds and their ridges. I feel alive.

The heat was pretty oppressive the last few days, no joke. I know there is much worse to come, but 70/80 degree weather was a real shock for our bodies. I took a lot of care to hydrate. The great news is that not only is my body happy, but my back is very pleased as I seem to have dropped a lot of weight from my pack. I sent ahead a 10 pound maildrop to Damascus. Right now my food bag is just about empty and I think I'm weighing somewhere just under twenty pounds. Hooyah! As Boogie would say. What am I carrying now? Shoes, one socks, one wool socks, capilene pants, running shorts, sports top, 2 underwears, 2 long sleeve t-shirts, one raincoat, one wool hat, one pack, headband, ipod, emergency iodine, cold food, thermarest, sleeping bag no liner now, pen, wingfoot, wallet, cell, charger, small prayer lent leaflet, lighter, one water bottle, pack cover. That is literally it. Yay! Oh, and one hawk.

A crew of thruhikers are a day in front of us - about 8 of them, and I really enjoyed meeting them... I have a strong feeling our paths will cross again with most except the super speedies. Hawk and I have a TV show going in the registers full of crazy notes... its called "The Young and the Restless." We can be a little too dramatic sometimes. Giggle!

Looking forward to seeing Bob Peeples again - we ran into Juniper, Molasses, and Salamander on Saturday at the Iron Mountain Gap (yay!) as he brought like 50 people out for trail maintenance from Appalachian State and ETSU or something. Tonight we go to Kincora - random stop today at a new, quirky hostel after Mountaineer Falls called Abby's Place. Had a little Ben and Jerry's, a little pizza, a shower: what luxury! I am getting easier to please. Really REALLY REALLY REALLY!!!!! excited for Damascus this week! YES!! So exciting. Milestone!

"HOLD FAST"

God's peace,
ALLEYCAT

3/25

(Entry by ZipLoc): Life is a Subway!

AlleyCat called for a quick update. She & Hawk are at Roan Mountain, TN having real food at a Subway shop. They've had three 15 mile days, having stayed at Roan High Mountain last night. Hot and the bugs are beginning, although on hearing that Deet is on its way to her, she pooh poohed it. Getting tough enough for bugs, eh?

Sounds like all's well. "We're pretty dirty, but I think they've seen worse here" she reports. She misses Leland.

We miss her.

XOXO

ZipLoc

3/24

Entry by ZipLoc): Motoring along!

Motoring, yes, but not 87.1 miles in one day! That's just to catch her up to her actual mileage.

AlleyCat called (twice!) yesterday, checking in about her replacement shoes. Per her last posting, she has NO blisters, which is great. We've got new versions of the same shoe, without Goretex, that we're sending off to Damascus.

The weather sounds great, but the heat is building. In the 70's recently and heading for the 80's! Saturday should be a good day for covering territory and staying North of the pack of March 1'ers. Food is going well, friends are going well, life sounds like it's going well.

XOOX

ZipLoc

3/20

Made it to Erwin! Yahoo! I am sitting here at Miss Janets in some very comfortable, albeit baggy, clothes from a pile labeled "town clothes." What a bizarro week! My sweet brother is gone now, and the mileage days have been all over the charts. Yesterday we did 17, the day before 12, today 7 into Spivey Gap where we got a ride into Erwin. I am here with Mousetrap (reunited after a split when Leland, Hawk and I stayed at a Hemlock Hollow aka BOONIES when we realized hitting 212 was just going to be a bit too tough), KY Blue, Guthook, Hawk, Sticker, Turbo, and Jen.

Some amazing views and rugged terrain since Hot Springs. I am in great spirits, and loving what I see and learn. The trail is slowly becoming less about nature and more about people. It's nice to have some girls around, although it has been strange to have a lot of people catch up to me over the last week after my days off and time with my bro. I hope to keep moving so as to avoid the March 1st crowd, even though I'm sure they are very nice people. :0) I feel very rested after the family love, and the zero from Hot Springs.

It seems everyone I've met has pretty much remained on the trail, and I love reading the registers and keeping up with everyone's journies. God is present and protecting. I can barely believe I have no blisters, no major pain. (KNOCK ON WOOD. SERIOUSLY RIGHT NOW!)

I am sendin a maildrop ahead with some items - crocs, stove, others - to Damascus to test out the cold food theory for a few days and see how I do w/o some creature comforts. I need to get my weight down to about 25 from the 33 it seems to be.

Staying strong and giving thanks. Prayers flying around these hills, returning as guidance and discretion. My feet follow the path of the ones who have gone before.

3/19

Entry by ZipLoc): Ah, the meandering days of late winter!

AlleyCat ssssssssstreaks ahead with 4 miles under her belt today. It sounds like a wonderful, relaxing day, as she and the gang (Hawk, Turbo, and tonight Back Yard Boogie) are settling in for a nice dinner at the shelter and a night of slumbers under the beautiful Northern North Carolina mountains. Per whiteblaze.net, this shelter is at 3,500', so it's mountains, not hills.

Some good altitude in the next few days, as the troupe heads for 4,000+, 5,000+, and then over 6,000' at Roan High Knob shelter.

She's having an "awesome" time and couldn't seem to be happier out there - even though Leland has headed back to school. No steak dinners from DKR for a while, we reckon!

AlleyCat reports that part of her trek today was over a razorback, with the trees covered in ice and scattering ice pellets every time the wind blew. Sounds cold but beautiful.

Stay warm, dear AlleyCat!

XOXOX

ZipLoc

3/17

Update by ZipLoc): ONE MONTH ON THE AT! YAHOO!

Well, big update from AlleyCat and Leland. Today is AlleyCat's first month anniversary on the trail. On St. Patty's day no less!

This week has been wonderful, with Leland joining her and realizing how strong and sure she is. Today was a little slow, with 3 miles done in order to meet up with DKR tomorrow. If they'd gone further it would have been something like a 15 mile day and Leland's knees are bothering him.

They're staying at Hemlock Hollow (near Greeneville, TN) at a wonderful place (an inn or hostel) with the most generous hosts imaginable. Kudos to them!

They also reported that a few days ago they came across a house near the trail that had a standing invite to thru-hikers. They stopped in for a great meal and wonderful companionship. It's amazing how many nice people are on the trail!

AlleyCat's shoes continue to be a little problem. Solomon has graciously agreed to send a new pair (old one's had a grommet/eyelet failure right away) to an outfitter a few days ahead of them. When that can get coordinated I'll give them a call. The customer service is appreciated!

More tomorrow after DKR meets up with them. He's planning to bring steaks for lunch!

Limp in love,

ZipLoc

3/17

(Entry by ZipLoc): Closing in on the big 300!

AlleyCat and Balsy Palsy are, we believe, closing in on Jerry Cabin, near mile 300. They are supposed to meet DKR tomorrow and hopefully there'll be more to report then.

Weather seems pretty good, with little rain (unlike the weather that grounded 5200 flights in the Northern part of the country).

If this is right, they're almost at Tennesseee, which is remarkable. Last word was that AlleyCat is on top of the world and Balsy Palsy is having a great time despite more aches and pains than he's had since last summer's broken arm. It's terrific that he's recovered from what would have been a permanent disability for many with enough strength and drive to head for the AT. Good on ya!

Enjoy the great weather!

XOXOX

ZipLoc & Co.

3/13

Taking a zero day unexpectedly in Hot Springs, NC. It's easy to forget how demanding the trail is when you've been on it for a few weeks! Chilling and enjoying the hot springs, good food, and great company.

God is very present and bringing beautiful people into my life around here! Holler Sunny. Staying at Elmer's incredible victorian house, and chilling with Hawk, Mousetrap, BBoogie, and Leland aka Balsy Palsy. WHERE ARE THE WOMEN!?!?! please catch on up! So much to write about...will update very soon! Right now = Naptime!

3/12

(Entry by ZipLoc): 252 Miles! Wow!

AlleyCat took 2 days off when she reached the top of the Smokies in order to visit with her aunt and nieces near Asheville. Leland joined her and they returned to where AlleyCat left off. Now they're hiking together with several other thru-hikers.

She is healthy and happy - albeit with some shoe trouble that required repairs to keep her heading north. No blisters, a happy tummy, and a strong constitution. Having Leland with her must be a great treat. He wasn't sure about heading to Costa Rica for Spring Break or heading to the AT. He couldn't refuse the offer of being outside with Alice, Mother Nature, and new friends.

Four steps for the price of one!

XOXOX

ZipLoc