OK OK, here is the real blog for tonight. I'm still in a cotton field.

So really, it was uneventful all the way to Vienna today. I took it easy and didn't push myself to hard. Once I arrived in the city I quickly found out that there were way more banks than places to eat. I found a Piggly Wiggly on the north side of town and went in to buy a late lunch. I shopped for a few minutes and was stopped by a male employee that was curious about what I was doing. We talked for a bit about the Trek and he made many heartfelt comments about our troops. He went on to say that my groceries were on him and to get what I needed. I did just that. I grabbed lunch and several boxes of granola bars and went to the cashier where he paid just as he said. I had spoken to the cashier just as walked in earlier. Her som is in the Navy and she told me about family day and touring a submarine. Well as I finished checking out she stopped me and gave a little donation to the cause and to my next meal. Seems to me I found a proud Navy mom and a patriotic man inside Piggly Wiggly. I went outside and across the street to eat in the shade. After some time I got up and headed towards Pinehurst. The walk towards Pinehurst was again uneventful except for one thing. Middlebrook. Vietnam Army vet Middlebrook stopped to say hello and wish me well. He was an older black man with a slightly stooped posture but he had a twinkle in his eye that said he had been places and seen things I would never know. He had a hat with a Combat Infantry Badge emblem. He was an infantryman in the war and had spent time with 25th I.D. We talked about politics and war and troops Nd then we wished each other well on our paths in life. The greatest part about our meeting was when we first walked up to each other. We hugged. It was if two worlds collided. Not black and white but then and now. His war and my war were so very different. I was called a hero when I returned from my war but he was hated. Spit on. What a change in our attitude as a country and I am thankful for it.

Well here I am in my tent in a cotton field. This is it for tonight. Happy Valentines day to those that have someone. If you don't have anyone then Happy Singles Awareness Day to you. Until next time...