The descent into Damascus was an easy roughly 10 miles. I arrived at The Broken Fiddle hostel aroun 11:45. There was a sign saying no checkins until noon. Treehouse, the guy running the hostel at the time, was frantically cleaning up after the morning’s departure. I sat in the covered outdoor area and chatted with a woman from Maine. Several others arrived while Treehouse wrapped up. He seemed very stressed and didn’t seem to like his job much, even though it’s apparently his business. He gave us a tour, handed each of us a laundry basket to fill, and told us to puck a bunk. I found sone loaner clothes that fit, filled my laundry basket and went back to the outdoor area for lunch (from my supplies), and to figure out what food to buy. I walked a mile to a Food City and was able to get everything I was after. On the way back I stopped at an outfitters and bought new gloves, shoe goo, and a new pair of trail runners.
Tortoise had arrived at the hostel and I chatted with him while I repaired my old shoes. I’m hoping to get a few more days use out if them. Time will tell, since it takes 3 days for the shoe goo to cure.
I’d arranged to have supper with Tortoise and we wound up eating with Bucky and Mantis at a diner, where the food was excellent.
I packed everything up so I could make a quiet escape in the morning. Bed at 9.
Mile 460.8 to mile 461.3 = 10.5 miles
