Another Damascus Zero, and on!

Sorting gear, reviewing the hike, updating the blog, checking the weather … go or no? Dave at Mount Rogers Outfitters shrugged and said “You'll get wet, but you won't die. Unless you ought to.”  His bunkroom is closed for renovation, though (translation: too much trouble to open it up for a stranger). I reserved a shuttle back to Huntley in the morning, then walked down the street to the Hikers Inn.

  

Lots of Protestant churches in this town,  and there are a few Cory Stewart lawn signs and only one for Tim Kaine, our Democratic incumbent. One of the recent dust-ups down here involved a young white owner of a popular spot who pushed his strong views on white rights over the civility line with A Customer. He was publicly chastised (because, well, Customer), but he was widely supported by the community and given a warning by the police.

Common courtesy, isn't it? If a guest has different opinions and offers them politely, the host needs to treat the encounter as a learning moment, not an attack. On the other side, when one stops over at a place where people have invested themselves in a different worldview, it is not going to do any good to shout one's contrary views at them. I scrubbed off the bumper stickers before I drove south.

Choice for dinner downtown after 6 are limited, but fortunately the Damascus Diner stays open until 9. Meatloaf that needs no ketchup, grilled cabbage, and clog-your-arteries mac and cheese, bluegrass tunes playing in the background … Americana. It wears out fast for me, but I love the people just trying to be themselves.

Sure you'll want ice cream on that pah?

2179 miles in 2010. They decided that Damascus was best.