Day 6 - April 26

Last night the heavens opened up and it poured rain for 2-3 hours.  Everything is pretty soaked.  However, I did get a lukewarm shower at the hostel for $4 and a hot breakfast this morning at the Dairy King.  It's raining today as well.  The next couple of days are supposed to be nice weather.  I was planning on riding today and take tomorrow off as a rest day.  However, in light of the rainy weather and the fact that Damascus is an awfully cool town - I may hang around town today and rest up and wait for better weather.  Lots and lots of Appalachian Trail hikers here - and two Dutch gals riding their bikes from NY to Oregon.  All the AT hikers have a nickname - liked Sun Dog or Fast Moon or something like that.  I think my name should be Sore Ass.  The hikers are an interesting breed.  Most have been on the trail since March where they started on the southern end of the trail in GA.  Most are in their 20s I'd say - men and women - although more guys.  I had breakfast with a guy named Chill Out (aka Robert) who was a retired banker from NJ hiking the trail.  He was excited because his daughter had a baby girl yesterday - his 4th grandchild.  He hopes to finish the trail before winter sets in up in Maine.  Makes my trip sound like a weekender.  They are very curious about my trip.  Many more hikers than bikers - so they have lots of questions.  Our camping gear/supplies are pretty much identical.  Also, there is a writer here for the New York Times doing a travel story on the town of Damascus, VA.  We talked for a while and he took notes - I'm not sure what he was writing down maybe "crazy middle aged guy riding his bike 3000 miles".  Keep your eyes out for the Escape section of the NY Times - which comes out every Friday edition.  He said that somewhere in the next 3-4 weeks it should be in there.  Stay tuned.....

Last night the heavens opened up and it poured rain for 2-3 hours.