Date: 2009-05-04
From: Walnut Mountain Shelter

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: overcast clouds

I've made it into Hot Springs, but I only have a little bit of time on the internet at the moment. I'll come back in the morning and update the last two weeks' worth of journal entries and perhaps photos too.The hike was very nice this morning. The sun came out and the temperature is on the cool side--perfect weather for hiking. I managed to get started at 8:40 and made it to Deer Park Mountain Shelter at 11:55. I made it to town by one. The trail was incredibly nice, despite the muddiness, as it has been since we left the Smokies. The trails were level and well kept, some sections even had a nice coating of pine needles.This is in contrast to the Smokies where the trail was (a) rocky (sharp/loose rocks too), (b) washed out, or (c) both. The Smokies made PA look friendly. From what I've heard about the weather in the Smokies (and partly experienced) I can see how the trail would be particularly difficult most times.Along the way, this morning, that is, I met a guy who had had his food bag taken by a bear at Lemon Gap--just a mile and a half short of the shelter I stayed at--and night hiked a few miles to get away from the area. I'm just glad I didn't have any problems of my own this time around.There was a box from a trail angel not too much farther down from there, but I was fooled by the trash bag that was on top. Scavenger said it was basically a bunch of saltines. Not exactly ideal.Then, about a mile short of town, I met up with Mala and his dog, Tucker, again. I had met Mala on Wesser Bald, at the lookout tower. He was the one who has hiked over 12,000 miles on the trail. He said that the section I just finished (Davenport Gap to Hot Springs) is his favorite on the entire AT. I will admit that I really enjoyed it myself.Just as I was about to start hiking the metal-diamond-marked-sidewalk it started to rain. It was kinda funny and not at all bad.I checked into the Sunny bank Inn (Elmer's) and got situated a little before picking up my mail. Luckily they hadn't returned my "ETA 4/28" bounce box. The woman at the desk took a picture of four of us getting our packages--we might be in something HSPS-wide now...? I then showered, did laundry, checked e-mail, and charged my phone again.I found out that I had recieved an e-mail from the Michelson RHs about the RA position! But that was on April 22nd. I also got a follow-up on the 28th saying they needed confirmation ASAP. I'm agonizing right now because I think I missed it. Shoot. I'm calling them tonight to check, but I fear that I've lost my chance this year. Then, to add to my worries, I got a message from dad saying that Uncle Bob died. Dammit. I'm really torn over this one. It's hard for me to pick a spot to get off to go to the funeral later this week, but I'd feel terrible if I didn't go at all. I'm going to miss Uncle Bob, too. Even if he hasn't quite been the same guy the last few years, it'll definitely leave a hole. And I know Vicki is going to be a wreak. What a terrible time for this to happen to her--it's the end of her senior year and she'll be heading to college soon. Man, it'll be even harder for Aunt Ellen. This is a sad moment.I hate to minimize that trauma, but I do have to mention that some good things are happening. I have an odd job to do tomorrow from noon until 2:30 or 3:00, paying about $8/hr. I'll take that. Apparently breakfast and dinner here are amazing--organic (vegetarian) all-you-can-eat meals--$10/dinner and $6/breakfast. Pretty good pricing, really. Dinner should start soon.Five. Course. Meal.