Date: 2010-04-11
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Rich Mountain Fire Tower
Miles today: 8.2

Day 36Goodbye, Hot Springs. Nice little town. Everything a thruhiker needs but less than a half mile long. Breakfast this morning was plentiful, but crowded. 13 people around one table is a lot. It was hard to leave the comfy environs of Elmer's Place, but I have to walk. As I left around 10:30 the place was already booked up for the next night.I walked down to the Alpine Court motel to see what Qtip and Trinket planned for the day. They had just woke up and decided that a zero day sounded pretty good. Next I visited the outfitter and sent home half of my warm clothes. I needed the space in my pack for 6 days worth of food to get me to Erwin. I probably have more than 6 days worth of food but I am still having trouble judging how much food I need on the trail. As nice as it was to come into Hot Springs with nothing but two jolly ranchers, an ounce of honey and a handfull of Gorp, I don't want to have to go hungry or beg for food my last night in camp. I'm going to try to eat much more this week than I have been to keep my energy level up. I don't eat enough out here and my strength begins to lessen late in the day.Oh, I forgot to mention my awesome dream this morning. Well I think its awesome, others may not. Jason was playing on the floor of the TV room here at Elmer's and I got down on my hands and knees and crawled over to him. When he saw me his eyes instantly flared withspsrkling light an his smile filled his whole face. He crawled into my arms and I just held him until I woke up. Very nice.OK back to my day. When I left the outfitter I was just going to walk down to the French Broad river and watch it flow for a while but I started talking to a thru from Quebec named Antwan (sic). Before I knew it I was over the bridge and back on the AT. I hadn't even buckled my pack waist belt. Luckily I saw Kashmir, Dufus and Pete camping next to the river. I stopped to chat with them. Pete says his name is now dumbass. I'll wait to see if he keeps it. Rufus decided he wanted a dog and picked up a stray in Hot Springs. Nice mutt and it definitely has attached itself to Dufus. I hung out with those guys for a couple hours but they didn't look to be going anywhere soon so I hit the trail around 2pm.The trail went straight up a pretty sheer mountain usng quite a few short switchbacks and climbing over a lot of rock. There were some nice overlooks that gave a great view of the town. Once at the top the hiking became pretty nice (as in not a lot of ups and downs ). Patch came by as I was talking to some dayhikers so I walked with him for awhile. I had thought he was way ahead of me but the lucky dog had just spent 3 days in Hot Springs with his girlfriend. His home is only a few days ahead just off the AT and he plans to do trail magic for three days while he is there. I can't wait. Scheduled trail magic, some people out there hate that kind of stuff, but I love it. I've also heard that a past thruhiker has a daily hiker feed around lunch time at a gap 6 miles from here. I hope that's true because I plan to be there at lunch today.I met up with Fredo and Tintin at a pretty little mill pond and had lunch with them. I figured they would walk me into the ground so I let them leave first, but surprisingly I stayed right behind them and then passed them when they stopped for water. I passed Croft along the way camping by herself for the first time away from a shelter. I hope the bears stay away.Bad news for Tinting today. He had left his camera up on the Rich Mountain Fire Tower (where we are sleeping tonight) and came back down to watchour packs while fredo and I went to get water. A couple that had drove up here in there car stole the camera while he was down below. I guess there are still crappy people in the world.Well, the sunset was beautiful and its early in the morning now.   The sun is just about to peak over the mountains. I'm going to stop writing and give all my attention to it. Love to all my family and friends. I wish all of you could experience all of these sunrises and sunsets.Goodnight and sweetdreams to all of you out there not living the Glorious Painted Sky dream.