The following is taken from part of a news story published in
"Mountain Accent", Wednesday, February 12, 1997, by Amanda
Smith:
"In the town of Damascus, there's an outdoor gallery where
anyone any time can view Nancy Lamb's art work. It's the sidewalk on the
street in front of the outdoor supply shop. It's called the "Friendship
Path". The town of Damascus contracted with Lamb to do a fundraiser to brick
the sidewalk, at the same time creating a historical record for their town
and a tribute to the hikers who regularly stop by on their way along the
Appalachian Trail.
Local people buy memorial bricks, anniversary bricks, or bricks in honor
of someone, and hikers buy bricks to celebrate their adventure in nature.
Lamb designs each brick the way the buyer wants it. Hikers usually feature
their "trail names", such as "Full Moon", "Mountain Man", or "Honeymooners",
with the intials GA-ME (Georgia to Maine)....
Most every brick tells a story.... and what follows is a selection of
just a few of those stories. They give insight into the past and present of
Damascus, and a perhaps a glimpse of why it is called the "Friendship Path".
You can click on the bricks to view a full-size image. If you would like to
place your own brick in the Friendship Path, please see the Works & Prices page for an order form. You may also
stop by Mount Rogers Outfitters, 110 W. Laurel Avenue in Damascus 
Gail, Jerry, Debbie, Terry,
Delcie, John, Olef, Kathy, and Benny are all of the friendly folks who
operate the Damascus Post Office and mail delivery.
Warren Anderson, shown driving
his old yellow truck, was indeed a friend "A friend in deed!" No matter what
the weather, Warren would always come to the aid of those whose plumbing and
heating problems surpassed their abilities or their pensions. When asked the
charge for repairing an ancient furnace, Warren's answer would be, "That'll
be about five dollars". Warren kept his phone number unlisted, but one could
usually find him at the post office when the mail was up in the boxes.
THE HONEYMOONERS. Steve and Sally
Smith began their through-hike of the Appalachian Trail, Georgia to Maine,
on their wedding day. The ceremony was held on March 4, 1996, at the
beginning of the Trail. The couple dressed in overalls; Sally's were white
ones. Their packs were ready, and after the wedding the couple marched forth
to begin their honeymoon and a 2000 mile journey.
Rachel Pennington is a little
girl who loves hats! She celebrates her birthday on Christmas Day.
Gladys McNish was a resident much
beloved by AT hikers. Her house was next door to THE PLACE, a hostel
provided by the Methodist Church for the hikers. "Glad" had a cool back
yard, where everyone could gather and swap tales of the Trail. She always
had room for pitching tents when the hostel was full.
Tom Horsch LOVES biking.
The logo for the Virginia
Creeper Trail Club.
Russ Shaw, visits Damascus every
year during Trail Days. His hiker name, by which most through-hikers prefer
to be known, is Siyo Yona.
Louise Fortune Hall is Damascus'
historian. She wrote "The History of Damascus to 1950", and later with her
daughter, Marilou Hall Preston, wrote "History of Damascus 1950-1995".
One month before the first section
of the The Friendship Path was to be laid, Nancy Lamb fell and broke her ankle.
Her good friend, Sandy Hart-Davenport, came twice every day to wheel Nancy's
chair out to her workshop and then back again to the house so that Nancy could
finish the decorated bricks for the sidewalk in time. The two dogs, Creeper
and Nart, are also the best of friends.
Virginia.org
