Tuesday April 23

Happy birthday to me!
Yank set his alarm for 6am...we all got up and were out of camp and walking at 7am...10 miles to Damascus...look out..here we come..I wanted birthday brunch and $1.50 tacos at the blue blaze cafe...Yank had one can of beer from his home state of Rhode island...he's carried it 40 miles to celebrate crossing into Virginia today. Today is also smiles' birthday...there's going to be a LOT of celebration today..
I practically ran down the mountain..poor Shutterbug trying to keep up with my determined long legs! I had to stay in front of her for a bit because I had a little crying spell early on. It's my birthday and I miss my mom..simple as that. So I got it mostly out of my system, then back down to the business of getting to town!
We had arranged to stop at the state line for a sip of Rhode island beer and pics. That was fun. Some hiker that's training for the PCT came by while we were standing around...he took out picture..we might be famous on the internet now..
We strolled into Damascus at 10:45...
There's a wooden archway to welcome hikers..as we were posing for pics I heard "hey, little girl, you need a ride?" And I thought "that sounds like bill" (bill is my woodturning mentor and good friend. I say he is one of a dying breed...a man that can make, fix, and do anything..a kind and patient man, a gentle and sweet soul)
Seems as though zag, shutter bug, m80& trooper had been keeping a secret from me for a few days and were all working together(UN successfully) to slow me down so that I didn't get to town before Bill was there..they didn't know he had gotten there a day early just to make sure.. He had been volunteering to do a supply run since we started, but our schedule was so unpredictable because of the weather in the smokies...when he heard my birthday was to be in Damascus, he jumped at the chance to drive up...he LOVES a road trip.
So e got a ride to the blue blaze cafe, had chocolate birthday cake followed by the "iron mountain breakfast " special: (get ready)
5 pancakes (I added chocolate chips to mine) alternated with bacon and sausage patty between each, 3 eggs on top, surrounded by "a moat of home style potatoes"..I had coffee. Oj to go.
I Almost finished it. Shared my cake with everyone. Smiles and I blew out the candles together..it's only fair he got to make a wish, too since it's his birthday, too!
After they brought out a wheelbarrow to cart me away from the table, I went next door to mount Rogers outfitters as rumor had it I had some birthday mail to pick up, plus our resupply boxes and bounce box. The guy at the counter laughed when I have him my name and asked me if I brought a hand truck...I thought he was kidding when he said I had 22 pieces...he was not.  It took all 3 of us to get my mail out of there. Next on the agenda  was finding somewhere to stay. We chose the Montgomery house b&B. susie was very tech savvy and texted me back...it was also super convenient..across the street. We got our room: 2 twin beds..bill and I say and pored over all my mail, sorted out the food for the next week and just talked about the logistics of thru hiking. Zag decided her woosy pinky toe was infected, so we all went to the clinic..she got a shot in the butt and a prescription for oral antibiotics...after that, bill decided he would head back home. I had concerns about such long back to back driving, but he did fine. He has a conversion van, so he can pull over and rest anywhere.
Tonight we went BACK to blue blaze for tacos with UV, whole bean and zags local contact  comet. Great tacos and beer for dinner. What a great day. One of the best birthdays I remember. I think it was just all the love I could feel. The most important thing. Love and be loved. There really is nothing else.
This trip may renew my faith in humanity after all.
Just don't turn on the TV. That helps a lot. Anytime it's on, it's spouting nothing but negativity. I don't need that. Do you?
Pics: our shadows at sunrise as we prepared to leave the shelter; me at the state line hello Virginia;  Yank with his beer; arriving in Damascus; iron mountain breakfast; zag getting a shot; me with all my birth day loot; me & Bill