Date: 2007-05-25
From: Little Hogback Mtn vista, Va 

To: Brandon McCrary's House
Miles today: 4.0

Woke up with my knee hurting less; not swollen; but, still hurting and also it is difficult to carry my pack. Also, I am about out of food. With this in mind; I walked down to The Skyline Drive at the 18.6 mark and began to try to hitch. This was the Friday before Memorial Day and the tourists were pouring into the park by 4 wheels and two wheels; making for a very loud SNP. After a few cars a women stopped and asked if I was OK. I really did not want to say my knee hurt; but, I did. I told her that I was going into Front Royal which was in the other direction from which she was going and not to worry: I would get a ride into town. After a few miuntes a car came by and asked if I was the guy with the hurt knee? I said I was. They said that they would take me to the park boundary; but, they were stopping at all the waysides to take pictures and look at the views. I said that was fine. They were from Ottawa, Ontario. They were very friendly and we had some good conversation. They informed me that the Canadian Dollar was now up to 91 cents to the American dollar. I could not believe it. When I was in Newfoundland in the summer of 2004 it was about 60 cents to the USD. They dropped me off at the park boundary and as soon as I was out of sight of the Rangers; I began hitching again. Hitching is illegal on the Skyline Drive and Blue Ridge Parkway. I did not get a ride; but, the walk into Front Royal is only about a mile or so and my knee was doing fine. I also have another medical issue. With all of the pollen in the air; I cough pretty bad at times. The park air is also very polluted. My right ear is totally full of fluid and it hurts somewhat. Anyway, as I head towards the Weasel Creek Outfitters to try try to get my therma-rest fixed. It has been flat since Pearisburg! Now, I debated whether or not to tell my next encounter; but, here goes. I walked by a salvation army thrift store and went in to try to find a light weight rain jacket. My Sierra Designs rain jacket is nearly wore out and does not block the rain anymore; but, is a good wind break. Anyway, as I look around the store; a lady named Dee asked if she could help. I said that I was looking for a rain coat. She said that they did not have any and then asked how I was doing on food. I said that I was out. She said that they had a surplus and asked if I would like some. I thought to myself that this was just too much to take from the Salvation Army. I said no, I was going to the store; but, she insisted that I go with her over to the church and take a few things. I am kind of ashamed to say that I did. I loaded up pretty well; she kept throwing stuff into my pack. I finally told her that I could not carry anymore and thanked her and walked down to the outfitters. I went in and met the owner Brandon McCrary"TwoDay". He was an ex-serious boy scout. He also is a passionate civil war re-enactor. I signed some papers to join the Confederate Army's VA 16th Rifles. When the day was over: Brandon took me to Bridgette's Cafe in Middleburg. It was right next to the Cedar Creek battlefield. We talked for a couple hours with his friend Melody about civil war things. Brandon invited me to go back and sleep in his basement, which I accepted and could not get to sleep, until around 3 am. I kept thinking about all the civil war stuff. I did use about an entire roll of toilet paper blowing my nose; which hurt my ear as it was making all types of popping noises. I was wondering if I would need anti-biotics or if the pain would go away on it's own.