May 3, 1981 Watauga Lake Shelter to Iron Mountain Shelter-
Didn't get any mice last night. Something bigger than a mouse was over my head so I got
up to see what it was. It was a flying squirrel. It had places under front legs that could
work as wings. Also had flat but bushy tail. I took two pictures of it. It was very friendly
and unafraid. I sprang mouse traps so it wouldn't get hurt in it. I made 13.3 miles today.
A very pretty walking and fairly easy walking for a change. Plan to go 15.9 tomorrow and
10 into Damascus Virginia Tuesday. I took two pictures of dam on top of hill today. No
people here tonight. Saw only one person all day. A very good looking girl on her way
back to Springer Mountain Georgia.
Didn't get any mice last night. Something bigger than a mouse was over my head so I got
up to see what it was. It was a flying squirrel. It had places under front legs that could
work as wings. Also had flat but bushy tail. I took two pictures of it. It was very friendly
and unafraid. I sprang mouse traps so it wouldn't get hurt in it. I made 13.3 miles today.
A very pretty walking and fairly easy walking for a change. Plan to go 15.9 tomorrow and
10 into Damascus Virginia Tuesday. I took two pictures of dam on top of hill today. No
people here tonight. Saw only one person all day. A very good looking girl on her way
back to Springer Mountain Georgia.
Uncle Nick Grinstaff Grave RIP
May 4, 1981 -Iron Mountain Shelter to Abington Gap Shelter-
Stopped and took pictures of Uncle Nick Grinstaff memorial. This was one of the most
scenic and quiet spots on my entire journey. Over the years I have visited this grave
probable more than my own relatives. He was alone and I just seem to understand the old
man. I Set mouse traps and had a ball. I got seven kills. Was taking one out of trap and
another came down the wall and started eating out of the other trap. I took what I thought
was a dead one out and he started to run around in circles as soon as he hit the ground.
He ran into the trap I had just reset and I caught him again . Damascus Va. here I come!!!!!
Stopped and took pictures of Uncle Nick Grinstaff memorial. This was one of the most
scenic and quiet spots on my entire journey. Over the years I have visited this grave
probable more than my own relatives. He was alone and I just seem to understand the old
man. I Set mouse traps and had a ball. I got seven kills. Was taking one out of trap and
another came down the wall and started eating out of the other trap. I took what I thought
was a dead one out and he started to run around in circles as soon as he hit the ground.
He ran into the trap I had just reset and I caught him again . Damascus Va. here I come!!!!!
The Place 1992
May 5, 1981 -Abington Gap Shelter to Damascus
Got up early and left shelter at 6:40 a.m. Beautiful sunrise to east in front of shelter. Made
good time down the hill to Damascus Va. Got there at 11 o’clock. In four hours and twenty
minutes I did 10.2 miles. I could have gone faster but it was too pretty of a morning. (Speed
kills) Got to post office and got my mail. I got five letters total. Two from mom, one from dad,
maps from Pat, and a letter from my barber, Chief. He has written two times already. He loves
the A.T. I ask for direction to the hostel and off I went. Very nice town. $1.50 a night and we
get hot showers and real thick foam pads to sleep on. Took two showers, did laundry, wrote
letters, got groceries, and rested up. Damascus is a great town, very friendly to hikers and is
rated a “10”.
May 6, 1981 - The Place in Damascus Va. to Pond Camp sight 12.5 from Damascus-
Twelve people at hostel last night. I know or knew of all of them already. Suppose to rain so
everyone decided to stay another day except me. I had chow mein for breakfast. Didn't want
to carry it up the hill. (Too heavy) Left hostel at 9:30 a.m. Hated to go but I had rested
enough and was raring to go. Got up relocated trail and ended up going. 12½ miles today. I
have no maps for new relocation. I don't really know where I am at. Ran out at water and
needed it bad. Started down a hill and there was a very nice lake and "10” campsite with pine
needles. I should sleep well tonight. It's raining tonight. I should keep dry. Using poncho as
a rain fly on tent. I’ll keep my fingers crossed. I'm getting stronger every day. I weighed in at
Damascus and I have lost 25 pounds. At this point I am in the best shape that I have been in
the last 8 years since I got out of school. I slept well at this scenic camp sight.
Got up early and left shelter at 6:40 a.m. Beautiful sunrise to east in front of shelter. Made
good time down the hill to Damascus Va. Got there at 11 o’clock. In four hours and twenty
minutes I did 10.2 miles. I could have gone faster but it was too pretty of a morning. (Speed
kills) Got to post office and got my mail. I got five letters total. Two from mom, one from dad,
maps from Pat, and a letter from my barber, Chief. He has written two times already. He loves
the A.T. I ask for direction to the hostel and off I went. Very nice town. $1.50 a night and we
get hot showers and real thick foam pads to sleep on. Took two showers, did laundry, wrote
letters, got groceries, and rested up. Damascus is a great town, very friendly to hikers and is
rated a “10”.
May 6, 1981 - The Place in Damascus Va. to Pond Camp sight 12.5 from Damascus-
Twelve people at hostel last night. I know or knew of all of them already. Suppose to rain so
everyone decided to stay another day except me. I had chow mein for breakfast. Didn't want
to carry it up the hill. (Too heavy) Left hostel at 9:30 a.m. Hated to go but I had rested
enough and was raring to go. Got up relocated trail and ended up going. 12½ miles today. I
have no maps for new relocation. I don't really know where I am at. Ran out at water and
needed it bad. Started down a hill and there was a very nice lake and "10” campsite with pine
needles. I should sleep well tonight. It's raining tonight. I should keep dry. Using poncho as
a rain fly on tent. I’ll keep my fingers crossed. I'm getting stronger every day. I weighed in at
Damascus and I have lost 25 pounds. At this point I am in the best shape that I have been in
the last 8 years since I got out of school. I slept well at this scenic camp sight.
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