Date: 2013-04-12
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Hotsprings
Miles today: 7.5
Weather: moderate rain

Thunderstorms last night. A little scary! But, I just put ear plugs in, prayed, and slept well! Tent saturated! Good evening talking to two couples thru-hiking, very nice folks. Awoke to wet tent, packed up and hiked about 7 miles into Hot Springs. Nice, hiker friendly town. Got a room for zero day at Creekside Cottages. Good deal, quoted one price, and after he found out I was retired Air Force, reduced the price! Sweet! Nice cabin room, right on stream! Outfitter, restaurants, right across street! Great location. This is why towns suck you in! ha! Did laundry, shower, eat, right away! Took nap! Then ate large pizza all by myself! Hiker hunger has kicked in!Zero day tomorrow to rest and recuperate and then 4-5 day hike to Erwin, TN! Longest stretch yet without break. Have to carry 5 days of food! Big deal out here.Reunited with Rocket and Avocado at pizza joint. Good to see them again. Hiked a few days with Rocket a few weeks ago. He is the IT guy from Texas A and M. 34 years old, and just living life before he has to really grow up! Ha! Nice, smart guy! Avocado is a 19 year old cancer survivor, just enjoying life! Good for him!Rest and food today and tomorrow! Then back on trail. Unbelievable, watching Masters on TV! What a dichotomy! May go and listen to an acoustic group at pizza restaurant tonight for awhile. Unfortunately, they start at 8 pm, way past hiker midnight! Really enjoying adventure, the beauty, quiet, and peace! Love the time to think, pray, and count my blessings! So many prayers and blessings! Thank you Lord! Really miss my awesome wife and best friend! Get sad at times, but know she is always with me. Thanks Babe!Have met a few times a really neat lady named Karma. Very smart, Mensa smart (sp) and a little bit of a loner, like me! Got a deal for both of us at the Creekside Cabins, was glad to help. She is taking 2 zeros for a break. Hike your own hike! Karma, and good luck! I know she will make it to katahdin, Maine! Hope to see her again! I wanted to share that it wasn't Karma, but Gods blessings! Maybe later!Even as nice as it has been, tough and grueling, a real physical test, I have had some times where emotionally it has been even tougher! Miss my Awesome wife Nanci, and family. Funny, but I normally like times of solitude, but, I've also had times of real loneliness, that has been really tough! Caught myself with tears walking yesterday, and just reflected on how blessed I am to have such a great family! Miss my son David, and his new wife, Jackie, and my daughter, Jessica and Matt, and the best Grandson, Eli! Love that dude so much!!! I wish my son David could be out here with me. This really was our dream. We talked so much of hiking the AT over the years! So in honor of him, I'm hanging a hat on Katahdin, a C-17 hat he gave me, onto the sign! He proudly flys C-17 aircraft for the Air Force! Or should I say, I proudly Bragg on my son! Can't help it, I'm so proud of all my kids!!! My Grandson says"papa walking" to me! Yes! Makes my day, every time! They live in VA, so I am really walking to him! Can't wait to get to Waynesboro, to meet them for a few days!Anyways, I ask anyone who has been following me, thank you for prayers, and continue praying for Mom! I love her so much! Thank you, and God Bless all of you!50/50 Out!