Sounds like you not only had a good time, but you were in great company as well
Sounds like you not only had a good time, but you were in great company as well
I felt like I was there too while reading your great post!
As I get older, I find myself avoiding huge crowded events even though I found them exciting in my youth. However, Trail Days is on my bucket list. It sounds like the right kind of crowd
Mike
"Life is a Project!"
It's a great crowd well at least outside of tent city it is. I had fun observing the shanagins inside of tent city but in my ripe old age of 32 I found it to be a bit much. I enjoyed Friday day and Saturday day hanging out with good friends and people in the vendor area much more enjoyable that what I observed in tent city. However I will most certainly be attending again next year I had a blast. Glad you and everyone else has been enjoying reading this thread.Originally Posted by MAD777
I felt like I was there too while reading your great post!
As I get older, I find myself avoiding huge crowded events even though I found them exciting in my youth. However, Trail Days is on my bucket list. It sounds like the right kind of crowd
Sometimes I like to hike and think, And sometimes I just like to hike.
Hiking is'ent about waiting for the storm to pass its about learning to hike in the rain.
I also went down to Trail Days, but I arrived Sat evening, as I had to work Sat AM. This was my first Trail Days. I had looked at their website this winter, and decided I needed to check this event out. I got some cool stickers and a couple of AT signs from Fishing Fred. One thing about arriving later was some lower prices on some stuff. I made it over to the vendor area and found the Jacks. I tried out their new UL BMBH. I could have fallen asleep in it except for all the noise and screaming kids on the nearby playground. I decided to stay with the deluxe BMBH I already had.
Pam fixed me up with one of their 11x10 tarps and I got a heck of a good deal on an older MW3 UQ they had as a demo model. Got a couple of other items there and walked away a happy camper. Cruised around the vendor area Sun AM and picked up a couple more items. There were a lot of folks there and countless hikers. I noticed a lot of the hikers were a lot younger, probably in their late teens or 20's. I'm a wannabe thru hiker and in my 50's. If Grandma Gatewood can do it, not once, but 3 times, age doesn't have to be a deterrent. I had to check out the local outfitter there, Mount Rodgers Outfitters. Being a gear-a-holic, I got some more AT stuff there.
This is one cool event. I really enjoyed the time there. This is definately
a must do event for next year!
why is it when i read this, i get tears welling up and thinking, maybe someday,, someday auntie em...
It's not the boulders that throw us off balance, it's the pebbles beneath our feet
Had a blast hanging out with you a Stella Blue. Hopefully we can do it all again next year ! Take it easy my friend. -MrG-
Meka Leka Hi Meka Hiney Ho ~ Jambi
That was a fun read. Thanks for the trip report.
Life looks better from a BIAS hammock.
Wonderful report! Those HammockGear folks are great. I'm sure the others are fine as well, just haven't met them. Read so much about trail days, soon I'll get a chance to attend. Glad you had a great time!
Ebola
I was there last year and this year but this year was totally different because I hiked from Springer Mountain to get there. I misjudged my pace and wound up arriving a few days too early but that gave me the opportunity to soak up all Damascus had to offer. I camped the entire time in the woods at Tent City which was a real trip. I probably had a different perspective of that experience since I knew many of the hikers camping there. I'm 65 but still had a blast with all the young hiker trash! I was amzed at how many hammocks were strung up in the woods. Hammocks are taking over!!!
It was cool meeting and greeting all the hammock vendors. I especially enjoyed talking to Papa Smurf, Adam/Jen and The World's Greatest Hiker Dutch. I used the Dangerbird, Incubator and a collection of Dutch's handy little products. It was great to give them all a little feedback on their gear. I was totally satisfied with all my gear choices. I left my Incubator with Adam and Jen so they could make the baffle and suspension mods for me. They said they would do it for free to which I am most grateful.
The outpouring of love and support from the folks in Damascus was very heartwarming. I will always remember my time there warmly. If you have the chance to attend next year I highly recommend it.
Miguel/ Cat in the Hat
Ditto my friend, well have to hit the trail together sometime in the near future.
Glad you enjoyed it.
Why yes they are some mighty fine folks at Hammock Gear as well as the Jack's, Dutch, Luke, Anti Gravity Gear, MLD and all the rest of the vendors that I have meet. Its awesome to meet folk who do what they do because they love it and are enthusiastic about what they do. We are truly lucky to have the vendors we do.
Miguel, Id love to hear more about your experience in tent city as I am sure we have very different perspectives. Mine is certainly a bit skewed having it been only my first experience and only knowing the HF'ers at TD. I like looking through a kaleidoscope it makes the world appear more clear.
Sometimes I like to hike and think, And sometimes I just like to hike.
Hiking is'ent about waiting for the storm to pass its about learning to hike in the rain.
Posting Permissions
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks