Date: 2011-04-09
From: Day 30 Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Day 31 Hot Springs NC
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: light rain

What a day yesterday was and today was even better. There were only 2 other hikers in the shelter with me, Sticks & Animal, and Animal left around 5am, in the dark, hiking using his headlight, why ??? The other hiker, Sticks, left about 8:00 and I left about 8:45. I had no real plans how far I was going to hike today after the tough day yesterday, I was only going to hike until I got tired. Funny thing is I never got tired and hiked all the way to Hot Springs NC a total of 18 miles my longest milage day so far. Maybe it was the beautiful weather or the fact that I started downhill for a change. Starting out at 4046' I went down 531' in 3.5 miles then up 800' in 1.4 miles to the top of Walnut Mountain (on another clear day) and stopping at Walnut Mountain Shelter, the shelter without a roof (temporary they are repairing it) for lunch then down 590' in 1 mile then back up 960' in 1.7m to the top of Bluff Mountain, then back down 2203' in 4m, then 4 more miles of up and downs of 300' - 400' then a big down of 1120' in just 2 miles to the town of Hot Springs at 1472' arriving at 4:45. I was really motivated today hiking the last 3.2 miles in just 1 hr. Now that's motivated. With this being the a major stop for all thru-hikers, all the lodging's are full even the one where I sent my resupply box. After checking several places, I found The Rock Bottom Inn & Restrauant and got a room. After emptying my pack and getting a shower it was down to the Restrauant for dinner. During dinner I was informed that they had made a mistake and in fact my room had been reserved and I had to move out. I quickly packed up and with their help found another room across the street at the Iron Horse Station. (www.theironhorsestation.com) This is actually a better place for me since I will have my own bathroom and they have free WiFi. It's a great place with a restrauant and bar downstairs and since it's Saturday night, they have live music. Am I just totally lucky or what. With tomorrow being Sunday and heavy rain forecasted for Monday, I'll probably stay in town and leave Tuesday. Today I have been hiking 1 full month and I couldn't be happier. Everything is going great, No pains, no aches, basically no problems except that my right boot is starting to hurt the top of my foot so I am going to look for a new pair of hiking boots while in town since there is a quality outfitter here. I know I have other boots at home waiting but I need them now. The weather has been better than I could have ever hoped for and the people I have met have exceeded my expectations. One more thing, after the beautiful weather today, it rained really hard during dinner, but I was inside and dry and when I had to move to the Iron Horse Station, it stopped, then after I was settled in, it started to rain again, lucky once again. This lucky streak won't last I know. (but I sure hope it does) While sitting at the bar and listing to the music, I met Professor Charles Terrell Jr. and his wife Jane, from Raleigh NC in town for a short holiday, we had a great conversation, with them wanting to know everything about trail life and had endless questions. Of course as you know I love to talk so I had a great time and the evening went quickly. Well that all for tonight I have more great pictures to share with you and I'll post them as soon as I can. Nite all.