Friday, May 18, 2012

Side Adventures: Part 2

So, when I got into Denis Cove I walked down to the Kincora Hostel. I had sent my bounce box to the hostel and needed to pick it up/send in on. The walk was a short one, and ABSOLUTELY worth it! This little hostel is all overgrown with vines on the outside and hiker photos and decorations on the inside (keep an eye out for video in the next couple days). The cats and the guys that run the place are eccentric and friendly.

Upon arrival, I was informed that not only was the hostel practically empty at the moment (I would have my choice of beds) there was a tree house out back, which I was welcome to occupy! Seriously?! A tree house?! I felt 10 again, running up the path to my own little dwelling in the trees!

Could this day get any better?!

OH, YOU HAVE NO IDEA!

Bob, the hostel owner, inspired my next side adventure. He offered to give me and a few others a ride up to Trail Days in Damascus, VA. This is an event put on by the city every year. Given that Damascus is about a 50mi hike from Kincora, I hadn't considered attending Trail Days because I wouldn't arrived there on foot until the beginning of next week (after the conclusion of the event). But, with Bob's ride proposition...

THEN, Gerber (another hiker, solid dude, will talk nutrition stuff with me all day) mentioned that he and some of his friends were renting a house in Damascus for the weekend and said I could crash with them free of charge (they later showed up and confirmed this offer in person)!

THEN...

Bob mentioned this massive trail maintenance project (100+ volunteers) going on Sunday/Monday that is using the hostel as a home base. The trail club that runs it shuttles 50 volunteers to the hostel/maintenance cites from Damascus (free) but you have to be a current thru-hiker to get the free shuttle (hmm... no problem). I'm so excited! What a unique element to add to my thru-hike; I think it will add a whole new dimension to my personal definition of the Appalachian Trail.





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