Let me tell you, I hardly ever miss a Trail Days, and this year was no exception.   This year was the 23^rd Annual Trail Days in Damascus, Virginia.  If you’ve never been to Damascus, you need to go!   

Trail Days is a wonderful mixture of an outdoor festival and a community yard sale, mixed into a wonderful weekend extravaganza.  There are outdoor stores like Adventure Damascus and Sun Dog Outfitters represented there, jewelry makers, potters and a number of other traditional crafters and other vendors.  There was a lady who painted T-Shirts with drumsticks and a lady who did hair wraps.  There was truly something for everyone at Trail Days.

 Damascus, a town of about 900 had what the Bristol Herald Courier said was “tens of thousands” at this past weekend’s celebration.  The celebration itself celebrates the Appalachian Trail and its hikers.  Damascus is largely considered the “Capital of the Appalachian Trail,” because of its friendly attitude toward the hikers.  It has long been known as the friendliest spot on the trail; there is a lot to be said for this title.  Many hikers experience the cold shoulder and discrimination while on the trail, so to be able to go to a place like Damascus and feel welcome is a great thing.   Many of these hikers make a special trip back to Damascus especially for the Trail Days celebration.  Churches have proudly posted on their message boards “Our Church Loves Hikers” and “Hikers Welcome Here.”  (more…)