Damascus Zero (Day 41) – The walk

After a long 27 mile ride yesterday, today we enjoyed our day zero in Damascus!

First things first: have breakfast at the restaurant. We need some energy for all today’s tasks.

The biggest priority for me is fixing my trekking poles. The shop gave me a replacement, but the pole was still coming loose. But I won’t give up yet! A little glue and tape can fix anything!

Continuing with tourist activities.

Since Smoky’s, I’ve had «Eat/Drink a Root Beer Float» on my little bucket list. There is another restaurant right across the street from the hostel that has one! I have to try it. My verdict: very pretty!

Visiting the ATC

Meanwhile dad came in! After some rest and relaxation at the hostel, we went to the ATC building to get our hangtags. When we started in Amicalola Falls, they just ran out. The first place to get them again was here!

Aside from the labels, we were also able to see our progress on the map and take a look at a topographic map of the post-Damascus leg. There is a detour after Damascus, so this map really helped with decision making.

Chatting with everyone

At the setter we saw Foster again! And at the local brewery we started a little hiker gathering with me, my dad, Ferdinand, Scholar, Mini, Lite, Tiki, Dreamcatcher and Stitches, who hiked in ’99. It’s nice to talk to all the new and familiar people!

At the brewery we even met another Dutchman! In a city of 800 inhabitants, what are the possibilities? It’s good that my dad has someone else to speak Dutch with besides me. He was not just any Dutchman, he was a professional darts player called “The Dutch Dragon”, who played at the highest level. At the end of the night he gave my dad one of his t-shirts! A t-shirt so iconic that its trail name instantly changed to «The Dutch Dragon.»

After this little encounter, we went to a restaurant/bar with some of the hikers. I had a great time! Damascus is a really cool little trail town.

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