Date: 2003-05-04
From: Hot Springs, NC

To: Spring Mountain Shelter
Miles today: 11.0
Weather: clear sky

Okay, I cannot tell a lie...today was one of the hardest days I've had out here on the Trail. I was again awakened at an ungodly hour by the roosters. Keep in mind that I went to bed at 1:30 a.m. I tried to ignore the crowing, or place it into a dream, but it was no use. I got up and started to make a mental list of what I needed to do to get the heck out of Hot Springs. I got the things I needed together (I needed to send some food ahead to Erwin...Miss Janet's House), and headed to the diner for some breakfast. One thing I need to remind myself of is that I need to have a light breakfast before heading out...not the western omelette that I had. I sat by myself for most of my meal, then Reason and Cruiser showed up. I talked with them for a litle while, then knew I had to leave. I started to feel a little of the frenzy that I witnessed in Circus last night...perhaps that's why I stayed up so late...so that I could experience that state. I went to the outfitters to s!end out the food...thank goodness I sent it ahead...7 pounds! I bought some fuel, then headed back to the campground to pack up my stuff. Everything was in such disarray...even for me. Believe it or not, I'm quite methodical out here. I think you have to be to keep track of your things...losing something could be critical to your well-being. I began to organize my things on the picnic table. A feeling that bordered on panic seemed to set in...I needed to get out of Hot Springs! I realized I'd forgotten to pick some things up and headed back to the outfitters. Finally, I was able to get all in my backpack, my backpack and boots on, and my body on the Trail. I started feeling a little calmer as I got Trail under my boots, then I realized what a day I was in for...the usual ups that come when leaving a town, not enough sleep the night before, and a bit of extra dehydration due to my evening at the spa. The good things I had going for me were...I was getting out of tow!n and I had my new little radio that I got at the outfitters. I so missed my music out here! Not that it's the greatest thing since sliced bread, but it kept me going on the Trail today. I won't discuss the torture that the Trail was today (bad, naughty Trail!), but suffice it to say that although I got here in one piece, it was not fun. Dutch was here, finishing up his dinner. He wanted to do a couple more miles. I had told him about a guy who I didn't recognize back down the Trail who had said something about running out of liquid...I had felt odd about him when I saw him, and did a city-type of reaction...said that I didn't think the shelter was far, and kept on going. Then I felt like a jerk...I didn't really know how far the shelter was, and I had enough water that I could have shared with him. I don't know why, nor am I proud of how I reacted. Dutch offered to bring the guy some water, and ended up carrying a bunch of his stuff as well (he's really ill-equipped...very overloaded.). Dutch then continued on for a bit...I should b!e able to catch up with him tomorrow, but my body definitely was done for the night. A late dinner, then journaling, then bed for me...The wind is whipping through the trees tonight...sounds like a storm a-brewing. We'll see how tomorrow turns out. Till then...'night!