Date: 2015-03-20
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 18.0

Hot Springs, NC / 18 / The Sunnybank InnI am sitting in a Federal Style chair on the warm landing at the top of a double victorian staircase. I am surrounded by bookshelves, full from a big meal, tired from a long walk, and I even smell OK after the hot shower. I am at the Sunnybank Inn in Hot Springs North Carolina. Our hike today set another new first for us as we hiked the 18 miles in to Hot Springs in 8 hours. Much of it was downhill, but our feet tell us we were moving pretty good. Our motivation was to get here before 4 pm when the post office closed as Pete and Ironman Bill had a resupply package to pock up. Turns out it was sent over to the outfitter store anyway, but its all good as we needed to get some fuel and a couple small items. Its amazing how little desire there is to buy something, and add weight to my pack.We started early today and had an enjoyable hike with moderate temps and good weather, until we got to Hot Springs. It began to rain just as we descended into the parking area at the trailhead. That was OK though since temps were in the upper 60's, it felt like a warm rain. After leaving the outfitter, (that's a hiking gear store) we secured the last three beds available at Sunnybank. It is very nice, like an old rooming house, with seven rooms, shared baths and parlor areas that form the upstairs hall. It is probably as close to staying in a Bed and Breakfast this old hiker will ever experience. Tonights dinner requires a brief comment. I have reached the point where I cannot consume, and my body has no reserves for, the amount of calories I am burning each day. Tonight I made a dent in refilling the reserve. I had a cobb salad with grilled chicken that covered the fourteen inch square plate on which it was served, and topped it off with twelve wings with hot sauce. To top it off i stopped at the dollar Store on the way back to Sunnybank for a couple cokes and some Pringles. I hope I make it through the night.I may take a zero tomorrow, no hiking, but it is more likely I will do my laundry, pack my pack, checkout by 11 and hit the trail. I am feeling pretty good already tonight even after the big leg pounding of todays downhill. My roommate for the evening is Guiseppe, who is attempting his third through hike. He completed a north bound (NOBO) in 2013, and a south bound (SOBO) last year. We met him outside the NOC a week back. He is leaving early in the morning so I will have the room to myself to check my gear and repack. My biggest hurdle at present showed up two days ago. I have been getting terrible neck, back pain when carrying my pack and I have been unable to adjust it to correct the problem. The worst part is it has pinched a nerve, I believe in my neck, and gives me a constant ache in my right bicep and shoulder. Late yesterday I figured out the problem. My waist, where the pack belt cinches down to carry the weight of the pack, has moved. I have lost enough weight that the tightening point for my waist is higher, and I was carrying most of the pack on my shoulders. I raised the belt higher on my hips, to may new waist and it carries fine again. But Today I discovered my belt still slips down as I hike, because I have tightened it as far as it will go. Nice problem, sort of. Kathy has ordered me a SMALLER belt and will bring it when I see her in a week for a visit. Well thats about as exciting as the hiker life gets, tomorrow I will eat, do laundry, hike eat sleep, repeat. Thank you all for signing my guestbook. You have no idea how inspiring it is to read your encouragement and hike this hike for those of you hiking vicariously through this journal. God Bless you all!Silverback