Date: 2018-05-14
From: Walnut Mountain Shelter

To: Sunnybank Inn
Miles today: 13.1
Weather: few clouds

Ironically I was up at 5 AM and the two ladies were still asleep. But their dog park around 530 everyone was up around 6. Funny how days when you get to town just get everyone up early!By 7am I was out with Gypsy, Double O, and the Philly crew. We really only had to cross over Bluff Mountain and then it was all downhill to Hot Springs. We made pretty good time, but lost Nikki and she said she would just find us in town. There were some views, mostly we were in the shade and a quick walk. Even with light packs (no food weight), the last 5 miles seemed to take forever.Finally we heard traffic and hit the road. There was a hostel right there and a few guys in a truck offered a ride to a store down the road. The Philly crew jumped in, but Double O and I didn¢t want to miss any blazes so continued on the trail. I saw a sign for a trail magic with an arrow, thought it was outdated but walked a few dozen feet and people from a porch called at me. Not exactly sure their story, but it seemed like a group of former through hikers that had rented a house. They had barbecue sandwiches, fruit salad, water and beer. It was after lunchtime and I was hungry so I partook even though we had just gotten to town. Would have been great if they were more in the woods!We continued on the trail, which at this point followed the main street. We get to my hostel, Sunnybank Inn, but Double O had to go meet friends who were picking him up.Sunnybank Inn is a trail institution. It is kind of a combination hostel/bed and breakfast owned by a man named Elmer. He thru hiked back in the seventies, and liked Hot Springs so much he moved back and running the place since then. The building itself is historic, probably from the 1800s and still in pretty good shape. There are lots of porches, reading rooms with shelves of books, and even a music room with guitars and piano for playing. The only issue is there is one shower for everyone, which includes about 8 guests, Elmer, and two work for stays (Matt and Sierra). But for the $25/night hiker special is a steal!Since the shower was free took the opportunity cleaned off a week of dirt and sweat. They had waffles left over from breakfast, so chomped on one and hit the town.I wasn¢t sure what was around and the AWOL guide wasn¢t specific, so I went to the visitor center. I asked for a map, and the guy laughed and pointed ¢gas station there, restaurant there, bar there. Ok, there¢s your map!¢ Didn¢t realize how small it was. I stopped by the outfitter that also had a bunch of natural/healthy foods which was nice. Got a smoothie and bottle of wine at a cafe and used the WiFi at the library (apparently no one gets service in town). There I saw Big Money who mentioned they trying to get to Trail Days. Trail Days is a big festival in Damascus (southern VA) that is like a big party of current and former thru hikers. Well some of the gear booths might interest me, I have no desire to camp in the field with 3000 other people. And getting there is a bit difficult as we are still a couple weeks away I¢m heading out on the trail so would have to hitch. But to each their own!I realized I hadn¢t eaten lunch yet, so went to the Hillbilly Market (yes that is actually the name) and got way to much food. And it was already 3pm.Also, I forgot that I had picked up a few Ramen¢s and tuna from the hiker box at the inn so of course got way too much resupply.I had signed up for dinner that night, so at 7pm I went to the dining table. It was Elmer, Sierra, Matt, and four of us guests. Every meal, you go around and say your name, a bit about yourself, and an answer to the question. Today¢s question was ¢if you were a spice, which would you be?¢ I learned Sierra is currently a student at Duke, and Elmer used to teach there.The dinners are 4 course vegetarian, and was delicious- soup, salad, curry tofu, tea, and apple cake with ice cream. I am not a huge dessert person, but ate it all!Yes, this is after eating a huge lunch at three. Needless to say I had stomachache but it was worth it:)!The Philly crew stopped by, but the inn was full so they ended up staying above the local tavern! Convenient...