Damascus
Damascus, Virginia. What a concept.
This town is one of the most unique villages I have ever had the opportunity to visit and revisit. It is stated in several publications and on several websites as being the friendliest town along the Appalachian Trail. That my friend is not an understatement In fact it is more than friendly, it is just downright homey.
I have been here for five days hiking some on the Appalachian Trail, and some on the Creeper Trail. The Creeper Trail is one of the many rail to trail stories scattered across the USA.
The last time I was here was in 2001 around the time of Trail Days. Trail Days is an event that is a gathering of past, present, and future "Thru-Hikers" of the Appalachian Trail. It not only draws thru-hikers, but section hikers, wannabe hikers, and hikers from other trails and parts of the world as well. It is held in and around the second week of May of every year and if your a true blooded hiker, then this is the event for you. Just like there are biker runs, this here is a hiker run......
As was the case the last time I was here and preparing to leave for points beyond, i just do not want to depart. I have seen people that live here and from the trail, whom I have met in years past and have fond memories of. They welcomed me back to their humble community with a sense of belonging. Besides it's unique setting in a hollow with many breath taking views of the surrounding mountains, the people that live "in these here parts" are what make Damascus what it is. I can almost bet ya that you will find some person from alomost every walk of life either living here or just passing through on any given day.
Beaver Dam Creek, which flows past the Old Mill Restaurant is loaded with trout. I was hiking along its banks yesterday and ran into several fishermen having a good time hooking and releasing. Not me. if I was a hooking them, I'd be releasing them right down my wind pipe and right into the aquarium below my chest where they would swim to points unknown....
As I said before, to me the people is what makes this town so unique. Mt. Rogers Outfitters is a favorite hangout of past Thru-Hikers. There are a number of these folks who have purchased homes here and have become a vital part of this community.
Then the Methodist Church owns a "Hostel" where hikers and bicyclists who are biking the "Trans-American Highway" can rest their weary legs for a couple of nights, and take a shower.
The one place I really enjoy hanging out at in the mornings for breakfast is "Cowboys." It is where most of the old time local crowd hangs out and talks about everything from how to prepare "chittlin's" to how we should pull out of "Iraq." I'm telling you if you have the gift of gab, as I do, then these old timers will take you under their wings and let you become a part of their community for a time.
The "One Way Church" just recently purchased a building to build an outreach for the local youth, just to give them something to do. The youth center also serves as a food pantry on Thursdays. With the way alot of our youth are getting hooked on "Meth," I think there ought to be communities like this church taking an active role in giving the youth an alternative place to hang out and to just let go on a shoulder that has been there.
These kids are our future, and though I do not think that all youth get strung out on drugs, just to see their friends go through this will affect their lives. So it is important to provide someplace for them like this youth center. Places like this and towns like Damascus help build productive lives....
Larry Riddle
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Originally Posted by Sly
Looks like a copy and paste, without the link, to me.
