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4/22 -- Left Hampton, TN today and had the usual "getting out of town tough up's".  Saw my 1st snake today.  It was a black snake stretched out across the trail.  I went

At left, Watauga Lake, TN as seen from the top of it's dam.
By Mike Calabrese

around him.  Did 9 miles and stayed at the Vandeventer Shelter with "Hurdler".  Can't wait to get to Damascus.

4/23 -- Did another tough (They're all tough lately) 15 miles and got to Double Springs Shelter.  Good weather- overcast & 60's.  Shelter is crowded at first, then half of the group decides to "night hike" to Damascus.  Ends up being only me and "Disco" at this shelter.

4/24 -- I did it!  18 miles.  Got into Damascus at 7:30 pm.  Had pizza and beer and saw about 30 hikers that I had met previously.  They all cheered as I entered the

At right, the "Holiday Inn" emergency shelter near McQueen's Knob, TN.
By Mike Calabrese

restaurant.  Tomorrow I'll resupply and set off Monday afternoon.

4/25 -- Took the day off.  Tomorrow it's on to Troutdale.

4/26 -- Hiked the Virginia Creeper Trail out of Damascus in the rain.  Did 15 miles and stayed at Lost Mountain Shelter with "Potato Picker", "Wraparound" and "Cracker".  I hope to get to Troutdale by Thursday.  I'm also looking forward to hiking with fellow Rag Tag Rangers Bill and Chris Isham next week as well as getting off the trail for awhile in Bland, VA.

4/27 -- A miserable day.  It rained off and on all day.  The majority of my gear is now all wet.  Did 10 miles.  Went over Whitetop, the second

highest mountain in VA and camped at the base of Mount Rogers, the highest mountain in VA.  Hope I make it to Troutdale by Thursday at

At left, the welcome sign at the TN/VA border.
By Mike Calabrese

5pm to pick up my maildrop.  Gotta do 10-15 tomorrow.

4/28 -- It rained for a third day.  However, I pushed myself and made it to Orchard Mountain Shelter.  Looks like I'll make it to Troutdale tomorrow after all.  The count so far is 491 miles travelled and 80 miles to Bland.

4/29 -- Got to Troutdale.  Staying at the Fox Hill B&B tonight.

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