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July 10, 1998 Hi Brenda & Bill, A 61-mile day from Wytheville to Damascus. We are in the mountains. We climbed several today but they were pretty gradual so were much easier than the climbs up to and on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Beautiful scenery. Most of the time, we climb beside mountain streams. Friendly stops to eat, especially Sugar Grove. Soaked our feet in the stream outside of Konnarock. Yesterday, we walked for the first and maybe the only time, in Christianburg. East Main St. grade was about 25%. Too steep. In the middle of town! Damascus is a very friendly town at the bottom of a mountain so we glided down about 5 miles into town. It’s where the TransAm Trail and Appalachian Trail cross so [the town] caters to hikers. We decided to have an adventure and stay in a hostel for hikers and cyclists. Took showers. Suffice it to say we’ve decided to pitch the tent outside instead of sleeping inside. Love, Paula.