Date: 2005-06-09
From: Compton Gap Trail (Terrapin Station Hostel)

To: Compton Gap Trail (Terrapin Station Hostel)
Miles today: 0.0

DAY 90                  The good night¢s sleep I had hoped for didn¢t turn out to be so great. I was in a top bunk and it was quite warm. My mattress was uncomfortable, as it was like sleeping on a partially inflated balloon. Every time I move I was shifted about.Then there is the matter of the hostel owner, Mike Evans. Mike is a nice guy and he provides a great service to the Trail. However, he is apparently proud of being a protester and draft evader of the Vietnam War era. Even the name of this hostel has some association with the war protest movement of that era.Well, I am an equally proud Vietnam War veteran. I have no apologies for my participation or my country¢s participation in that war. My only regret is that we did not win. If we had been successful, I believe that South Vietnam could have turned out to be a thriving and somewhat democratic country like Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, or South Korea. All these countries fought off attempts at Communist domination during the 40¢s and 50¢s and are obviously the better for it. Frank (¢Nomad 6¢), the older Vietnam veteran we hiked with in the SNP is also in the hostel. He quietly shares my disdain for the owner. I apoligize for continuing my political rant, if readers find it offensive. Vietnam veterans got a raw deal from the American public during and after the war. There was a prejudice against us. We were portrayed as a little screwy. I had my own version of Affirmative Action for Vietnam Veterans when I reached a level of responsibility in my profession, and when I could hire people. When I had to staff up my first engineering department in the late 70¢s, I gave unapologetic preference to Vietnam era veterans. I am proud that of the seven men who were in my engineering department, six out of seven were servoce veterans of the Vietnam era. The only exception was Nick, who was too young to have been involved. I continued that policy as I continued my career as an engineering supervisor in other organizations. End of political rant. Sorry if I have offended anyone by the vehemence of my views.Anyway, this morning I could not fathom the thought of spending another night in a place run by a war protester and draft evader, especially since I was so uncomfortable last night. I told Rocky I would be leaving later in the day and I would be hiking to the next shelter. I would wait for her there tomorrow after she had a chance to rest, get new shoes, and enjoy a Zero Day. I was moved by her reaction. ¢I¢m going with you¢, she said quietly. She was willing to go on with me, even with her bad shoes and sore legs. I can¢t let that happen. She needs new shoes and a chance to rest. So I have decided to ¢hold my nose¢, so to speak, and spend another night here. At least I will be more comfortable tonight as I have moved into a lower bunk with a better mattress. One of the other things we did today was to weigh ourselves. I was shocked to see that I weighed 135 pounds, a loss of 21 pounds since the start of my hike. Rocky on the other hand has gained a few pounds since the start of her hike.It has turned out to be a very good Zero Day. This morning I did our laundry and hung out our tents and sleeping bags to air out. The sunny day has been great for hanging out laundry and our other gear. Later today, Mike took us into Front Royal, Virginia. We shopped at a grocery store and a liquor store. Most important, Rocky bought new hiking shoes at an outfitter. I bought a support for my tender right knee. Later Rocky, Mike and I went to the Jalisco Mexican restaurant for lunch. They had $4.95 lunch specials. Rocky loves Mexican and loved this particular meal. It was the cole slaw that went with the meal that she especially loved. We bought extra groceries in Front Royal for tonight¢s dinner. Rocky wanted to make a dinner for everyone in the hostel tonight. She made a dish she called ¢American Chop Suey¢. In my Boy Scout days, we called it ¢MacBeef¢. I enjoyed working with her to cook dinner and I think it turned out great. Later this evening Mike took Frank, Sowega, Jersey Fresh, and I to the Griffin Tavern in Front Royal. Mike loves playing trivia, and we entered the team trivia contest. We didn¢t win, but it has been an enjoyable evening. Rocky didn¢t play, but she enjoyed the music and the company. She seems to be in much better spirits tonight. Our legs are stiff as we walk on this ¢rest day¢. We are doing the ¢Hiker Hobble¢. This day has turned out to be pretty good after all. I have to apologize for what I was thinking about Mike earlier today. He has been a great host.