Date: 2008-08-06
From: Limestone Spring Lean-To

To: Salisbury - Whitehart Inn
Miles today: 4.1
Weather: light rain

Just before 4:00 a.m. a heavy rain fell the rest of the night. It didn't begin to lighten up until close to 9:00. I had already done most of my packing inside the tent, so during a light sprinkle, I stepped out and finished. It was only a short 4 mile walk into Salisbury, plenty of time to dry out my gear.The rain stopped by the time we hit civilization. The main street area was a few blocks down, however we passed by the Whitehart Inn. It was inviting and appealed to an upscale crowd. But to our surprise, they had a hiker rate of $89.00 compared to their minimal $200.00. Break this down to 3 or 4 to a room and you have great accomodations for the price of some hostels.Rm #1 was a corner room with 2 big windows. The last time I slept in an actual bed was at Harpers Ferry over a month ago. After showers I headed for the grocery store to get my resupply out of the way. I couldn't pass up a few pieces of fried chicken at the deli. Several of us were siting in a courtyard area situated between the store, some shops and a coffe/tea house.I had also bought a cold beer to go with my chicken however, open container laws are usually always in effect, especially to those with the thru-hiker / vagrant look. Sometimes the best place to hide something is right out in front of everyone's nose? So, I took a clear plastic cup with a lid, added a decorative leaf from a nearby tree, stuck in the straw and voila'. Now for all intents and purposes and to any passerby, I was enjoying a refreshing Artsy Fartsy green tea which was completely normal for this neighborhood.With chores always being done first, and leisure time afterward, the next order of business was laundry. The village of Salisbury does not have a laundry facility, so a 1-1/2 mile walk to the neighboring ville of Lakeville was next. Despite hitching efforts, no one gave us a ride.The laudromat just happened to be behind and attached to a little pizza / sandwhich joint. So doing what any respectable thru-hiker would do at a time and place like this, we sat down and had lunch, periodically checking on the laundry and dryer."Powder River" had joined us as well and later ended up sharing the room.Upon my return I laid out all my wet gear to dry in the rear parking area of the Inn. Another group of hikers were sharing a room and laid out their gear as well. "Canuck", "Willin", "Bingo Pajamas", "Spiller" and "Mississippi Griz"The rest of the day was spent enjoying downtime and mostly with the AC cranked."Y" & "Vigil Auntie" arrived at the end of the day, they already had booked reservations but were in need of ice cream, so they booted to the store.Flipping through the tv, the movie DodgeBall was starting. We just had to watch it after seeing one of the actors and his friends a couple of days ago.Just to make things fair between Powder River & I, as to who gets the other bed, We had Freckles flip a coin and Powder got to call it. Sorry buddy, I hope the floor is comfortable?About that time, Wavepool came walking by the window. We called him back and he joined in this Whitehart Inn experience. With a little re-arranging, he was able to find just enough floor space to accomodate his 6'-9" length. I hope I don't step on him in the middle of the night.Before going to sleep, I wondered how "Hungry" was making out? I ran into him at the laundromat earlier today. He was leaving town and trying to get home, I think he said Boston? He had exhausted all his money, tough break, being relatively so close to finishing and all? Good luck, I hope all goes well?