Date: 2013-03-22
From: Roaring Fork Gap

To: Hot Springs,NC
Miles today: 18.0

Crawled out of my bag a few minutes after 7 and, oh yes, it was COLD!!! Justin, Joseph and I left within a few minutes of each other. Jake wasn't ready yet. Initially, I planned to go about 12 miles on Friday, tent, then make a 6 mile dash for Hot Springs on Saturday. Well, I trashed that idea and decided to go for it, the whole 18 on Friday. I was tired of freezing my buns off sleeping on the trail. As many of you know, I don't have many buns left and need to save the ones that are left. It took me until 5:30, but I made it. About 12 of those miles were downhill, thank goodness. I could look down and see the pretty little town in the valley and it still took me two hours to get there. Yep, I was spent. What a nice little town Hot Springs is. With a population of around 500, the folks love their hikers and we love this little town and it's citizens. I had heard so many hikers say they were so looking forward to Hot Springs. It's one town on The AT the hikers don't want to leave. The AT goes right down main street. There is a railroad track going through the center of town. As I was coming down the mountain into town, I could hear the whistle blowing. It was d©j vu. I flashed back to my hometown of Southern Pines, NC which also had train tracks through the center of town. Of course, we have no trains or tracks in Myrtle Beach and I miss them. Hot Springs is only about six blocks long. There is not one single fast food restaurant, no McDonalds, no Hardee's, no Subway. One nice tablecloth restaurant in my hotel, Iron Horse Station, a good ole diner and another watering hole with great burgers and pizzas. Yes, I sampled them all and all had Great food and great service. There are two churches, one bank, an outfitter, a small library, a post office, two convenience stores and one small independent grocery. There are two real estate offices and a few other small businesses. My hotel, Iron Horse Station, was built in 1890. It was remodeled a few years back to it's original design. The only exceptions are that each room has a private bath, central heat and air. My big sister, Brenda, would love it.Last night, I was sitting at our bar watching the NCAA playoffs and having a beer. There was a couple sitting beside me and we were chatting back and forth. They ordered desert. The lady got what looked like brownies and vanilla ice cream with chocolate syrup. The gentleman got cheese cake. Of course, I love them both. The lady was closest to me and I told her how scrumptious her desert looked. She asked me if I would like to share because she could never eat it all. I thanked her and said no, I had already ordered apple pie a la mode. Then, she asked me where I was from. I told her Myrtle Beach. She smiled real big and said "we are too". Can you believe it??? Nearly 400 miles from home and we are sitting beside each other at the same bar. Their names are Gary and Karen Goss. They said they love to come here. Gary used to manage The House Of Blues at the beach. Now, Karen works for Coastal Carolina University and they own a small restaurant across the street from CCU. What nice and gracious folks they are. A real credit to the Myrtle beach area.One day, I will return to Hot Springs, NC. But, I will not walk....