Day 9 - 6/11/24 – Goodbye TN and Hello Damascus, VA

Primitive Camp (457.5) - Saunders Shelter (480.4)

Day 9 was definitely a good one. I tried a new breakfast this morning: oatmeal and powered milk in a bag, just add water. This sounds unappetizing, but it was actually a great, quick and delicious meal. For the morning, I hiked straight through the 13 miles to Damascus, VA, and crossed the TN-VA border on the way (Goodbye TN!). Officially on my fourth state now!

Damascus (dubbed "Trail Town USA") is a special place on the trail since it is the site of the annual Trail Days which had occurred back in May. Trail Days is a large convening of AT hikers and a huge cultural event I hope to attend in the future. I had lunch at the Damascus diner and got a sandwich from subway to have later as dinner. I also used the diner and subway to recharge my phone and MP3 player.

I continued on for the afternoon, reaching Saunders shelter on the earlier side. I used the evening to interview one of the other hikers staying at the shelter, one of a group of five SOBO section hikers. They had been doing section hikes for decades, since college in the 1980s, and shared some hilarious stories.