Date: 2012-04-27
From: Roaring Fork Shelter

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 18.0
Weather: overcast clouds

My plan to slash pack weight backfired this morning when I only had two pair of crusty socks to choose from. Sending home the other two pair may have been a bit hasty. I packed up my stuff but decided to leave my tarp hanging at the shelter for someone else to use. It felt like I slept in but after I got on the trail my watch said it was only 7:15am. The walk today was warm and beautiful. It was downhill the last 10 miles into Hot Springs which got my knee going again so I put the brace on. I got into Hot Spring and checked into the hostel right off the trail. I took a really nice hot shower, bagged up my laundry, and walked into town. First I stopped at the diner. I ordered the "hungry hiker" 12ounce double cheeseburger with everything and extra bacon. I also ordered fries and a slice of pecan pie with vanilla ice cream. I feel that what would normally be considered irresponsible eating is the right thing to do. My metabolism is noticeably faster, I'm hungry and I want to keep my weight up as long as I can.After lunch I went to the laundry mat and started a load. Then I walked to the outfitter and inquired about my packages. They were both there, Frogg Togg's raingear, and my Henry Shire's tarp tent "Notch". I also bought some "body glide". (When I was wet the other day the friction on my inner thighs was uncomfortable.) It's kind of funny but walking all this way has rubbed all the hair off my inner thighs. I also bought a Leatherman "Squirt" to replace my big heavy Leatherman "Charge" multi tool. I'll still have a lot of the functions of the big one but without the weight. I went back to the laundromat and switched my clothes to the dryer. A hiker named "Sparrow" struck up a conversation. That's when I realized I recognized these guys from the trail. They hike fast and carry ultralight packs. A lot of their gear is homemade and hand sewn. Sparrow's pack weight without food and water is under 10lbs.!! I had a great time talking with these guys and checking out their gear. Sparrow hiked the P.C.T. last year, and hopes to triple crown next year. I'm going to try and keep up with them when we take off tomorrow.  (OK, last story of the day. I'm not trying to freak you out Mom) When I got back to the hostel I set up my new tent on the grass behind the building. I wanted to seal the seams and let it dry before morning. As I worked  "Chuck Norris" a 2007 thru-hiker who runs the hostel sat under the back porch and talked with me. He was going to hike it again this year but decided to wait after having bipass surgery. I shared with him that I too have a heart issue, a condition called Supraventricular tachycardia that causes a rapid heartbeat. I told him it has happened to me 5 times on the trail so far, twice on the first day. All I could do was take off my pack, lay down, and ask God to make it stop. The first two times were intense and lasted about a half hour each time. But now that I've been on the trail awhile my heart has gotten a lot stronger. I told him that the last few times it happened my heart just laughed it off and it went back to normal within 10 seconds. He said do you know what the name of this hostel is? I told him no, I didn't. He then informed me that the name of this place is "The Laughing Heart" hostel. He said the owner would flip if he heard what I just said. Chuck told me I was meant to be here. He said he had the keys to the Bed and Breakfast next door that is being renovated. Since it's empty he let me put my tent inside to dry overnight.It's been a good day.