5/2
Left Damascus today – finally. Wonderful town, but sick the whole time. There has been a hiker bug going around – on TV and in the papers. Hikers sick everywhere and I thought I missed it, but it caught up with me. Sick for four days. Recovered in Damascus – the sort of town you want to have fun in, not recover. Anyhow, I’m in Virginia – the longest stretch of Trail through any state. Probably be a month or so.

5/4
Walking through Garyson Highlands State Park today. What an awesome place. Bet (Jim) Hicks has been here. The ponies run wild – nieces would love it. They come right up to you. Even had a deer come beside me. Beautiful afternoon taking a break in the shade for lunch. Letters from Amy and her class were thoughtful. Thank them for me.

5/6
Southwest Virginia is beautiful. Saw a woodpecker today. Nice little country settings off of Trail. Ready to truck through Virginia. Hear Hicks is joining me – looking forward to it.

5/7
Long hike today – beautiful rolling hills in Virginia. Rhododendrons are coming out, soon to be a sight. Camped across a spring fed pond on top of a grassy bald. Rolling hills through beautiful farmland. Beauty of a day today. Hope to see some stars tonight.

For more information on this portion of the trail, visit the:
Outdoor Club of Virginia Tech
http://www.filebox.vt.edu/org/outdoor/index.html
Natural Bridge Appalachian Trail Club
http://www.nbatc.org/
Tidewater Appalachian Trail Club
http://www.tidewateratc.com/
Old Dominion Appalachian Trail Club
http://www.odatc.org/

Update 9
Virginia