Date: 2003-04-20
From: Hot Springs

To: Rich Mtn firetower
Miles today: 8.3

The hardest part of the Trail so far was getting out of bed this morning- leaving Kevin's (my fiance) warm embrace to push on to Damascus (eventually). This weekend was the first time we've seen each other since Springer Mtn 4 weeks ago. My goal when I started was to endure just about anything until Hot Springs, then make a decision from there whether this whole thing was for me or not. I made it to Hot Springs, and Kevin was there for the long Easter weekend. I really sorta put the whole decision-making process out of my mind until today. And to get back on the Trail while he drove back to our nice little house and our cute dogs and our newly-mulched yard (thanks to him) and our comfy bed and our happy wonderful life- damn, that was so hard. I sorta don't know what my motivation for staying on the Trail is now. I feel like I've reached a "goal" and now I just wanna relax and enjoy the hike. I also feel that I've been through some of the worst parts of hiking- getting in shape and all the aches and pains that fo with that; getting through snowstorms and freezing-cold weather; getting the routine down. And now we're headed into spring- warmer weather, flowers, wtc. Now starts the fun part and I've earned it, damnit! Damascus is about 2 weeks off- that's the next decision point, so I'll see how this time goes by...We had a great weekend though. Styed at the Duckett House Bed and Breakfast- kinda pricey place, but Hot Springs accomodations aren't cheap unless you're doing a hostel or camping- but the place was wonderful- great vegetarian breakfasts (have I mentioned that my hiker metabolism has kicked in? this weekend was a carb-fest!), beautiful old house with wrap-around porch, dogwoods in bloom all over the yard, stream running out back, just a little outta town, so we had some privacy. We met on Thursday- I thought I'd get to town by 2:00, so Kevin thought he'd get up at the crack of dawn, drive to Hot Springs, get on the Trail, and surprise me several miles in. I stopped for a quick lunch(we're talking 10 min. maybe) down a shelter side trail that was about 3 miles outside of town. AND, of course, that's right when he passed by and felt that he SHOULD go to the shelter, but passed on. We missed each other probably by 5 minutes- at that! So he hiked another 2 miles and decided to turn around. Meanwhile, I hauled ass into town, got there by 1:00 and was showered and paging through a magazine when he got there. Craziness! This kind of thing happened at an airport one time with us too, but that's a whole other story...On Friday, we drove to the Smokies and hiked the section I skipped- Clingman's Dome to Newfound Gap (7.9 miles). We got a hitch up to Clingman's (we left the car at Newfound Gap), somehow missed the turn for the road up and drove almost 45 minutes out of the way! We were driving down and I knew that we needed to go up to get to Clingman's(the highest point on the the AT, duh!). Anyway, got nervous that these nice folks were really ax-murderers or that they'd just leave us way off and we wouldn't be able to get back to our car, much less to the trailhead. It was so weird!! But they turned around and we made it up to Clingman's Dome and hiked in the mud down to Newfound Gap, so I'm all caught up now.Did some "chores" on Saturday- moseyed around town and did a whole lotta nuthin- which was great- it was a gorgeous day. met up with 8 or so other hikers at the Paddler's Pub and had dinner- cool place, had a band and all. We saw a copperhead snake on the way back to the inn. Technically, it was ON the AT- as the AT runs maybe a mile through Hot Springs- but it was in the gutter, sorta on the road. All this time in the woods and I don't see a snake until I get into town. Oh well, just as well- copperheads are more camouflaged (sp?) on the trail and I'd rather not just run across one!The hike out of town was kinda hard today- for one, I had a heavy heart and was just sad a lot of the time. Also, I didn't leave until 3 and it was so hot on those uphills! And also, I ate so damn much this weekend(not to mention pie ala mode right before hitting the Trail) so all those carbs were just lying in my belly still. A smaller belly I might add though- I've lost about 10 pounds and really needed a belt for the jeans Kevin brought me- cool! My legs and hips have had the most noticeable reduction, but that's where all my extra baggage hung out anyway- keep it coming!! Actually, another 5-10 pounds would be awesome, but I doubt that'll be happening soon with all the food I've packed for the next 5 days!Tenting tonight next to a firetower- it looks like rain (yeah, I'm stupid) but hopefully he lightning will stay away (along with the bears and wild boars!)