Date: 2018-04-03
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Hot Springs NC
Miles today: 17.9
Weather: clear sky

The rain had held off last night and I woke up in my tent which remained dry all night! That was a nice surprise! As I packed my bag and took down my tent, a group of section hikers camping near me were preparing breakfast. Typically breakfast is rushed for me but they offered me instant coffee to indulge in while we chatted! It was a nice treat as the sun began shining and the temperature remained around 45 or 50 degrees.I finished my coffee then made my way over to the shelter to eat my breakfast and chat with soothe Sayer, honey bun and shiver who were all headed into town also. We made a plan to call to reserve spots at a hostel once we climbed out of the gap and got service.We all hiked at our own pace enjoying the beautiful scenery of the day. We had 18 miles ahead of us but the weather continued to improve and by midday it was around 70 at elevation with sun beaming down on us! Flowers had begun to sprout on the sides of the trail and at points, entire fielded areas were covered with small white flowers every 3 inches or so! Really cool to see. The hike continued and by 2pm I began the mile and a half descent into Hot Springs, NC. You could see the town forever but it took so long to get there! I walked off the mountain around 230 and right to the hostel I had reserved. Unlike many other towns, the AT goes right through town making it a wicked convenient stop.I got in my room and immediately spread my stuff out to dry. I changed clothes and hopped in the shower of the hostel before Soothe and the others arrived. Soothe and I payed the $5 extra for a room to ourselves but like most hostels we still shared laundry and showers which was not a big deal at all. Shelter and a bed were awesome!As the crew arrived I reunited with Green Grass who had hiked 30 miles two days ago and had gotten into town wicked early that morning. He was planning a Nearo which means a day close to no miles. We planned a zero for the next day which is just a day off. Having done 18 miles made me feel good about taking a day anyways. My ankle felt pretty much 100% better today and I was super excited I had taken the precautions I did by icing and elevating every afternoon! Side story: I still remember two years ago when I first started working at Water Country as an EMT. My first year I cross-trained as a lifeguard to learn their protocol and work extra hours if necessary. During the first aid portion of the training we did a trivia game with all the others lifeguards. The director of operations read the question "what do you use rice for?" We all blankly stared around and many said "to put your phone in when it drops in the pool!" After a minute everyone stared at me and the other EMT and we both had no idea how rice could be used for first aid treatment. Well by rice he meant the acronym R.I.C.E (rest, ice, compression and elevation of course!-- I had learned that in class!) But we all laughed at our idiotic answers and since then I could never forget the acronym. Thankful that I stuck to it!We milled about, drank some beer then mozied down to the Smoky Mountain Diner as our laundry was running. I ate SOOO much. I literally couldn't walk for 15min after eating. I had a salad! (Finally something healthy--mom!) A burger, fries ann an apple pie with ice cream. It was amazing and well worth it. We made our way back to the hostel for the night and hung around until 10 or so, way past our bedtime! Then we all layed down and enjoyed our sleep.