Well Wednesday was a great adventure once again as we headed off to Damascus, Va. with almost perfect weather as the early morning temps were a bit nippy but it did warm up to the upper 70's by late afternoon. It was the first time for the Nymark's and Steve and I have figured out a way to save lots of bucks next time we do the trip. More on the ride down the mountain later in this blog.
I started the day much the usual with a 6'ish roll out to my cup of hot tea while I posted this ramble and then some quiet time with my Creator and Lord giving thanks and lifting several up by name. All seem as well as can be expected at this point in time. I headed out on my solo early morning hike before breakfast and it was awesome to say the least except for just a bit nippy. The sun was coming up over the mountain and there were blue skies and the birds were singing almost like this was a spring morning.
I loaded up the bikes and had Steve bring his 3 bikes up so we could pump up the tires with my small air compressor. We weren't able to get on with Sun Dog in Damascus so they recommended another outfitter called Blue Brush which we found to be the same price but their amenities were so much nicer with a park just across the way with tons of parking, picnic table and rest rooms. They will be our go to from now on and they are just a little further along the trail. Very nice facilities and not nearly as crowded.
We were able to get on the 1 PM load in as everything was booked solidly for the shuttle up the mountain. It was close to 2 before we ever actually started down the mountain on bikes and it was chilly in some areas and warm in others. The leaves in this area was at peak with just gorgeous colors. We stopped on the way over to Damascus for some pictures with the beautiful colors in the back ground as we took our time for the usually hour and half trip.
I met a family from Greenville Tennessee who knew of my old USAF buddy who passed a couple years back. He was the same age as my buddy's boys and went to school with them. He knew of the Ball Plant that manufactured glass canning jars where my friend worked and retired from before he passed away from the effects of Agent Orange, we all were exposed to in Viet nam. Such a small world.
We got back to the outfitter around 5'ish after a good 3 hour trip down the mountain. Parts of it were still rough and rocky which vibrated your body but the ambiance was exhilarating to say the least and the leaf colors were just beautiful with many on the trail itself. We came back the same way and it was going on 7'ish before we hit Sparta. The Nymark's went on their way home and we stopped to pick up Chinese foods in town. Well that was our first experience as it was take out only but it was so busy there with 3 chefs cooking and we waited nearly a half hour after calling it in about 20 minutes out. There were people lined up inside and out and I got the message by them this place served great food but some what not organized. They did mess up my order and gave me the wrong dish as we discovered after getting back to the cabin but it was delicious and plentiful. One of the chefs also takes the orders over the phone and is cashier as well which takes only cash or check and packs up your order. Anyhow I know not to order around supper time again. In all the years we have been coming to the mountains seldom have I ever seen anyone coming or going into this small place but last night around 7 it was packed and everyone I spoke to loves their cuisine and I must say it was delicious and reasonable except for mixing up my order, oh well. It wasn't long after eating around 7:30 we hit the showers and then I read until 10'ish. We were both whupped from the ride as we did have to pedal more than I remember in the past. It was uneventful coming and going both on the road and on the trail thankfully, LATER
Just a few pics on the way over to Damascus and a few on the trail. The leaves were beautiful
