Date: 2008-03-26
From: Hot Springs

To: Spring Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: broken clouds

Day 27.Elmer,Thank you for a wonderful stay in your home.It is very hard for me to leave such a great place.I hope to be able to come again some time.Peace,BWThe day started under many layers of quilts snug in my bed.After a hot shower (very important, Ron) I ate at the diner and returned to pack up. One more stop at the outfitter for fuel and to write this. I head out of town with heavy pack and heart. I have been feeling homesick and go back into the forest by myself not so sure what I want to do. The day is cool/cold with grey clouds. The kind of grey that lets some light through so it's not dark. I will climb up and get to Lover's Leap where I will be able to look back on where I am now.Some day I will be able to look back and know how the day turns out. For now I leave this trail town and head out into a forest with an unknown fate for me.On the way out of town I stop at the small store by the river and get a roast beef hoagie and an RC Cola for lunch later on the trail. The trail takes me up river walking along the bank of the French Broad River then starts up switching back along the climb to Lover's Leap where I break to look back. I get going and pass several day hikers along the way passing the Rich Mountain Fire Tower, past a camp site where I stayed last year with Sleeper, Pegasus, Caboose, CB, Old Yeller, Singe and mean Joe. I stop and think about staying but the spring close by was dry. There are many memories and I smile thinking about how windy it was and how crowded the site was and how much fun we always had. It's different this year. I am mostly solo so far with a few nice hikers around from time to time but no family. I hike on reaching the Spring Mountain Shelter where I run into a father and son who are already settled in with a puny fire going. It's always nice to walk into camp and be welcomed by a fire. The father informs me that there is no water and it is going to be a dry camp(night). I am surprised and disappointed about the water report and start looking at close sources of water and where I might have to hike to. Shortly after this another hiker named Travis arrives and receives the same news. I decide to investigate the water source ( on the east side) after being told(by the father) there might be water on the other side(west) down below the privy.I leave my hiking shoes on and go down the east side to a spring flowing into a small pool where I easily gather my usual amount of water. There is some silt in the pool but it is easy to use a cup and the water is clear and sweet. I come back to the shelter and say nothing to the father even though I am fuming about the bad information and his lack of knowledge. His bad information shows a lack of judgement and skills and I think he is in way over his head. I am also told there is no fire wood by the father and son. When you gather fire wood sometimes you have to go further then the last guy and that is exactly what I do returning with several big armfuls and dragging some large branches back to the fire pit. With help from Usedtocould we break much firewood and I create a nice warming fire for all. As the fire matures and I am keeping it fed the father announces "that is enough wood it's too hot sitting here". Well that's three strikes but I bite my tongue knowing I should keep it possitive. He also seems put out when the wind changes and he has to move to get away from the smoke. The fire is enjoyed by all but (you know who) and I put it to sleep as it turns to pure coals. The night is nice, warmer then we have had lately.