Day 54 | Appalachian Trail Thru Hike 2024 | Damascus Zero!

Day 54
We have a productive zero day in Damascus! New shoes for Little Bear, resupply box from family, good food, and comfortable inn to rest!
Many of you have asked us how you can support us. First, your comments, kind words, prayers, and encouragement are more than enough and mean so much to us. Thank you! We love reading all the comments. We’re doing this together, y’all! 💙
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Thanks again! We’re so glad you’re here!
Inquires: [e-mail]

[@WalkingWombat27]

Don’t blame ya for not pulling out Ellie. Cats hate to have their sleep interrupted 😊

[@baothiletran-ef8zn]

Thank you! I love the work you are doing and sharing your amazing videos on Gan jing world. Welcome to the new world!

[@Gollum-sn6bf]

30 years ago trail days was a nice little gathering. Now it's a full blown, wide open, five alarm freak show. Grab a funnel cake as you RUN from Damascus

[@jhayft0703]

And don’t drop the funnel cake while you’re running! Lol

[@mhelen7360]

Such a busy day. I understood why LB said she was so excited to go to sleep after I found out how late it was! Interesting that you both now crave the peace and quiet of the trail even though you're so outgoing. Enjoyed seeing the picture of your cute Elle back home, LB. God bless you and keep you safe as you continue your journey. ♥️

[@dougw63]

Good call on trail days. It’s more a reunion thing in my opinion. Hike on…your two are doing great. Question…have your feet started to grow yet?

[@wildflowersadventures]

Hi there! Thanks! It was definitely the right decision for us. And no, our feet haven’t grown.

[@amynapier3551]

Sounds like a good decision. Trail Days can be overwhelming. I think you'll appreciate and enjoy it more next year when you can book lodging and not be stressed because you're in the process of a thru hike. Glad you enjoyed Damascus. Thanks for taking us along the journey. Keep shining bright.

[@wildflowersadventures]

I agree 100%! We definitely made he right choice. Next year, it’ll be fun to visit with family, and no pressure. 😊

[@luisahirsch5654]

Lol I don't blame you guys for not going to Trail Days. If I were ever to do a thru-hike of the AT, knowing my personality, I probably would skip it because I would probably enjoy the peace and quiet of the trail for a few days since almost everyone would be at Trail Days. I know Trail Days with the crowds would be overwhelming for me lol. I am glad you got to stop at Damascus and enjoy the town before the crowds came! 😊

[@bill8384]

That "Love" sign is a Virginia thing! They're scattered throughout the state!

[@fitnessfreak498]

great high quality videos . im really enjoying your faith based hike .

[@wildflowersadventures]

Thank you! 🙏🏼

[@jhayft0703]

Trail days would be fun, BUT zero days for rest and quiet is better I think!!!

[@dpresnell1]

Another awesome video! Great thinking and planning. May God continue to keep and bless you both.

[@christineclark3462]

No worries about having Ellie packed!! The pictures are greatly enjoyed as well :)

[@stone8654]

Another awesome zero 👍🏼 Go Mama Bear & Little Bear Go! 👟🐻🐻👍🏼

[@jamesquinlivan7876]

Fun zero day. Enjoyed your visit. I can see you both of you want to get back on the trail. Your enthusiasm is beautiful! Forever onward, girls! 👍. 🐱🧸🐻🌅🌈🥾⛰️👍

[@melaniecarlisle4771]

Good choice for not attending trail days..way too much stimulation especially after the solice and beauty of the AT. I wouldn't want to spoil it. We so enjoy going on your journey with you two! Stay safe.🙏😙

[@michaelbyrd1784]

Damascus is a good city. But Harper’s Ferry is awesome. Great place to link up with family for a couple zero days. Shanie is a beautiful park. Prayers for you ladies on your journey.

[@sheenarader6495]

I love your new shoes, LB! ❤

[@neliareal830]

Good choice on Trail Days! It’s better to do it with plenty of time, a place to stay, and not while hiking! It’s like a Mardi-Gras 🤪 it will definitely super stimulate the senses! 😊

[@dannythecamper4186]

Nice video with very good walks around the hiking trails town, so let's keep on hiking 😊

[@chrisnorris76]

What a nice town. It’s the fresh mowed grass! Everything so nice and clean!!

[@jayray720]

🚶‍♀️🐻👟👟🚶‍♂️🐻😺👟👟⛺🌞 looks like y'all had a really good day in Damascus it's very nice place to stay loved your little note you both enjoyed the bed and goodnight Ellie 🐈😺

[@michaellocke2766]

NEW SHOE'S!! NICE. GOOD REST. GREAT FOOD. THE JOURNEY!!! THANKS SO MUCH FOR SHARING.

[@wildflowersadventures]

Thanks for watching!

[@AmyStoneYT]

I forgot to comment yesterday, so…. Congratulations 🥳 on your biggest day! 21+ miles is a LONG way! So amazing! Today’s Zero day looks like it was a wonderful day! So glad LB was able to get her new shoes to help carry her another X amount of miles 😊❤ 🥾

[@stone8654]

You have a cool last name 😎👍🏼

[@jamesbonner5989]

A good zero day. You would not get much rest at Trail Days for sure.

What a blessing ❤

[@lukasmakarios4998]

Funny. I'm reading this during Trail Days, so I guess you're way past Damascus by now. I hope all is well, and LB's shoes are good and comfy. I'm loving your vlogs and all of the nice pictures of flowers, bugs, etc. Keep up the pace and you'll soon see Katahdin! Peace & Love.

[@wildflowersadventures]

Doing great! Thank you! 🙏🏼

[@rangerinthewoods]

Remember to put the date and town on the notes and cards and such. They'll be great for Little Bear's scrapbook she can show to her kids and grandchildren someday. ❤

[@jessicanewell7775]

I love seeing LB do a passport! I did national park and VA State Park ones as a child and it was special park of vacations. Now at 45 I'm working on my TN state park book. Traditions never die!

[@RickINFJ]

This was such a lovely town tour, Mama Bear and Little Bear! 🐻 The LOVE sign on the river bank was so cool. I personally agree with your decision on Trail Days. It would be a cool experience by itself. I was a working musician for over 20 years here in Maine. I took mental zeros the day after gigs. When LB mentioned the beautiful silence, it made me ruminate on those days. 😊 Silence and stillness are necessary for mental equilibrium. God bless both of your beautiful souls. Btw, the note from Ayva was so sweet!❤ Take care ladies ✌️

[@MariaSimpson-rp1os]

Thanks for the tour! Damascus is so charming 😊

[@BetterWayLiving]

Good move. Tent city probably isn't the best place for your daughter. It's very much an "adult" crowd. And the extra days not hiking , in my opinion, is not worth it.

[@goldpop5001]

I agree with this.

[@deborahpratt8311]

You guys are doing a phenomenal job… Keep your goals in mind and do you. God will take care of the rest.

[@user-zs6sc4qx1q]

HI!! Mama Bear and Little Bear and 😺 Ellie! Awesome! I hope you come across Tara/Sweet Potato,Sunny! Gadget! Molly Rose! Tramily!! Good evening good night

[@alicebecht859]

My husband and I stayed at that Inn several years ago, I really enjoyed the area.

[@RowanBlake]

first comment! yay!! I am looking forward to you guys seeing the ponies soon.

[@wildflowersadventures]

Yay! Thank you!😊

[@emilymurphy2926]

I really want to do hiking this summer in NH and other places.

[@wildflowersadventures]

Sounds like fun!! 🤩

[@beingaware8542]

Very nice!!!

[@wildflowersadventures]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@i4cutigers]

I'm on the road, actually camping at an KOA. I'm sitting in the laundry room just so I can have good wi-fi to watch your video. Glad you enjoyed you stay in Damascus. Thanks for another great update! ❤and 🔦

[@wildflowersadventures]

Thanks for following our adventures! 🙏🏼💙

[@dougw63]

Ps…if you start to delay your vids so that people don’t know exactly where you are…I wouldn’t blame you. I will still watch. I understand your philosophy…but…though mountain people are good and trustworthy…it only takes one wacko to make a day or an hour uncomfortable. My .02

[@SPnSQ]

They are hiking days ahead of their videos as most do on YT

[@AmyStoneYT]

I think they are several days if not a week or more, ahead of posting 😊❤

[@jhayft0703]

I think we are a few days if not a week behind them, they I think are further than Damascus, I think

[@dougw63]

Ok…just concerned. I see they are in Damascus…and trail days is this weekend. Today is sat.

[@williamgoethe7298]

I can understand perfectly why you guys skipped trail days I probably would've done the same love and light

[@maureenmukhlis2934]

I can’t blame you for not wanting to go back to do trail days. I’m here now. It’s fun but when I get to do my thru hike, I won’t do it either. Come back next year with the family and enjoy it together . I’m staying at the ole mill too! It’s really nice! I hope I can come back again when the weather is better. I really want to go on a bike ride, but not with a chance of thunderstorms 🥹 Praying you are staying warm and dry. This weather is not fun for you all out there🥲 HUGS AND HAPPY HIKING 🥾🏕️🌲🌳

[@richardharries3164]

I’m quite poorly so may not post for a couple of days. But I’ll follow as much as I can. Love and hugs. R ❤❤

[@wildflowersadventures]

🙏🏼💙

[@ashleyjohnson220]

Just curious …you say you have to speak with clients but not what you do for a living? Enjoy watching your vlogs every morning before work! Thanks for sharing your journey with us!

[@Mwilke3789]

She’s a family therapist, she’s mentioned it in previous videos.

[@wildflowersadventures]

Hi! Yes, I’m a mental health therapist. Thanks for being here. 😊

[@Kay_Lorraine]

Hey Little Bear, did you send your old shoes home? .... Thank you for sharing your adventure! I enjoyed this zero day. Hope you found new pants Mama Bear. 💜

[@wildflowersadventures]

No, she decided against it. She will keep her last pair.

[@shellynoble4298]

Little Bear highlight should of been her new shoes. The picture you mom put up are enough.

[@lyndajefferson5929]

Well I hope you get the chance to meet Nahamsha one day. She's a really sweet young lady and a AT Through Hiker of last year

[@christiinohio681]

Yes, I believe she is at Trail Days with her new Appalachian Trail-opoly game!

[@wildflowersadventures]

Thanks! We’ve loved following her journey. 😊

[@mountainjackietr511]

Nice to see the two of you in such a relaxed setting after all the hard miles you put in! Thanks for sharing your experiences with all of us! I look forward to watching your videos every day; cheering you onward from the peanut gallery!

[@wildflowersadventures]

Thank you! 🙏🏼

[@shelliebrassler4430]

If you get back there next year for Trail Days maybe you can get the Creeper Trail bike ride on your schedule. It is a super fun ride. And, you can do just 17 miles which starts at the top of White Top mountain and ends downtown at the bike rental facility. And it shares to AT in a couple of spots 🚴 🥾 Glad you were able to enjoy the town for a bit!

[@wildflowersadventures]

Maybe 😊

[@sulj3373]

Y’all will enjoy Trail Days with your family and seeing fellow thru hikers in the future I’m guessing.😊❤️

[@wildflowersadventures]

Sounds like a better plan for sure!

[@williamking2249]

Such a wonderful day doing town chores. Awesome little town. Have fun and LB gets to break in new shoes.🌲👍

[@michelleb1248]

What a beautiful place to stay!

[@jamesadams2334]

Bummer that you missed Trail Days, it really is something to see and to march in the hiker parade while thru hiking. Tent City is actually family friendly and there are massive gear giveaways from the vendors, for the hikers, the hiker talent show and the drum circle around the fire on Friday and Saturday are just incredible. You also get to meet past year thru hikers and Vloggers. It is very well patrolled by the police, very safe and usually about 10 arrests over the weekend which are almost always locals, showing up drunk to try to get into the party. It's a very "festive" atmosphere. It really is something to see. I could never understand why hikers use the excuse of not having peace and quiet and the crowds but when they get to New York, they take a break and go into New York City for 2 or 3 days. Trail Days is a part of thru hiking just as much as Springer or Katahdin are. Good luck with your hike. Good to see Little Bear get her new shoes and you both still have those big smiles! I hope that you both enjoyed your stay in Damascus and hope that you do get to attend next year. Hike safe, Hike strong, Have fun! geek

[@wildflowersadventures]

I can see your point. 😊 Everyone is different. It’s just where we are right now, mentally. We just weren’t up for the big party. We’re focused and enjoying a quiet trail. But, we do have plans to come back next year when we can enjoy it without the time pressure of thru hiking. Plus, we can bring family! And if we’re in a different space

[@deborahpratt8311]

Wow Damascus is a really beautiful place. Such great architecture

[@deborahpratt8311]

What an absolutely lovely view

[@suemoore1965]

🌺💕 YOU DO YOU

[@stanthemanhikes2965]

What. The Dollar General is now a Food City? What the heck!! I hope you made your way into Main Street Coffee and Cream and samples the cinnamon rolls. Soooo good!! Good choice not to go to trail days. Would definitely cost you 3 to 5 days. Time is too precious . You can go back nest year and enjoy with the whole family and reunite with trail friends. A lot of fun that way!!

[@judithpearson3968]

Good morning, MB and LB. Ellie has the most beautiful markings. Thanks for sharing the picture of your furbaby, LB. Busy day today in Damascus. A neat little town. Somewhere I'd love to visit. Ya'll are doing so well. Were you able to find lighter weight tops at the thrift store, MB? Hope so. Looking forward to getting back on trail with you tomorrow. I was born in VA and lived there for a bit. I think it is one of the most beautiful states. Ya'll take care. Stay safe. See you tomorrow.

[@wildflowersadventures]

Good morning ☀️ Thank you! I did find a lighter weight pair of legging there. I bought an AT shirt at the gear store for my top. Works perfectly!

[@crocketthikes7717]

Maybe y’all and whole family can make reservations for trail days in 2025. Y’all will have QUEIT hiking on trail on trail days this year.

[@wildflowersadventures]

Maybe! And it was so nice and quiet!! We made an excellent choice for us. 😊

[@lonleyndn]

Rain at "Trail Days" anyway. I actually "chose" not to go this year because of that reason. It "IS" pretty amazing though 🙂

[@CindyAltwies1]

❤❤

[@deborahpratt8311]

I love the LOVE sign across the water. Can you access it for pictures or is in actually in the water?

[@musingwithreba9667]

Trail says would be fun, but not very relaxing! Hike on Bears 🤗

[@knkincabotkent9486]

What cold weather and warm weather sleep system do you use? In a previous video you said you sleeping pad was r value of 8? Enjoy the videos and thanks for sharing!

[@wyomingcowboy2939]

I actually biked the Creeper trail into Damascus with my daughter and her family

[@wildflowersadventures]

Nice!

[@grantjordan4672]

Hi there ! Been following since the beginning! Love your content ✨️ but I was wondering 🤔 why don't you show the outfitter stores? 😢 I love all things gear related 😍 I find it fascinating, but on this video you went to 2 of them and just briefly showed 2 sec of the first one where I think you got little bears shoes , and no footage on the other outfitter ? No offense meant , I was just wondering if there was a reason why ? ( people ?) Maybe idk 🤷‍♂️ but I would really love to see what they have to offer in those outfitters! Thank you 😊 and keep up the great work! 😊👍

[@BeeGeeHikes]

Sometimes business don’t want people taking videos or pictures inside their stores.

[@wildflowersadventures]

We showed quite a bit of footage in the one outfitter….? The other one was closed. And, since the primary purpose of these videos is for our memories as well as to include our family, we often show what we want to remember and what we want them to see. Additionally, it’s not easy to shop, stay focused, get what we need without forgetting something, and video while in the stores. 😂

[@pennypackmtb2542]

Zero days can be habit forming. Just saying. Only take as needed.

[@wildflowersadventures]

lol, thanks. I’m sure they can be. We listen to our bodies and do what we need to do.

[@cjmi52]

Let me know how that Flextail works for you. I have one and don’t think it does a thing, but maybe it’s just me.

[@suemoore1965]

DID LITTLE BEAR'S FOOT SIZE CHANGE???

[@wildflowersadventures]

No

[@CasualObserver369]

Breakfast look delicious! It's my favorite meal of the day! Honestly i could eat breakfast 3 meals a day and never tire of it! 🍳🥞🥯🥣🍯🧈🍚🥓🥩🧇🥚🍞🫐😺