Date: 2010-04-18
From: Deerpark Mountain Shelter

To: Hot Springs
Miles today: 3.2
Weather: clear sky

4/18Deerpark Mtn Shelter to Hot Springs3.2 whole milesIn the morning I find that I'm not really in a town mood. It's perfect hiking weather and I have plenty of supplies for a couple more days in the woods. But the trail goes right through town and I sure don't have enough supplies to get me to the next stop of Erwin, so town it is. First I find a little trail magic on the way into town. Thanks, Pebbles!  Sugar rush!My first stop in town is the diner for a second breakfast. Then the motel. A passing hiker tells me Elmer's is already full, as I suspected. I snag a room at the motel and get my maildrop at the outfitter. I weigh myself on their scale, which I trust, and find that I weigh as much fully clothed now as I did naked before leaving home. So I've probably lost a couple of pounds. The other scales I've found along the way have been VERY optimistic. I find two pounds much more believable. My clothes are significantly looser but I know I've gained muscle weight. Disturbingly, I have no cell signal in town. This changes things. I was going to take a zero tomorrow and spend time checking work email, but with no signal that's not possible. It also means I can't find out Cody's plans or check anything else on the Internet. So I think I'll just resupply and leave tomorrow. If I'm meant to catch up to Cody, it'll happen somehow. And I'm not hurting badly anywhere, nor am I super footsore or tired. A full day off isn't necessary.I'll make my second visit to the outfitter after the laundry is done. (Clean laundry = the best. All my clothes are dirty and stiff with salt. You can see a high tide mark on my cap. )I have several items I want to replace and a few new things I'm looking to buy.  Plus I need Shoe Goo. My first shoe repair attempt didn't work. Having flappy bits doesn't seem to be hurting the shoe any but it bugs me.  In the morning after I go to the post office, I'll do my food resupply. Being so sick on this last section means that once again I have walked into town with a pretty full food bag. So despite embarking on a longer section this week, I still won't be buying much food.My outfitter packages included my new backpack (yay!) and knee brace (double yay!). The knee brace is perfect. If the outfitter doesn't stock them here I'll ask JD to get me another for the other leg. I've come to really appreciate the simple joy of walking down hills without pain.It strikes me as I go through my gear and food that getting ready for section after section isn't significantly easier than getting ready for a trip from home. True, my severely limited wardrobe means clothing selection isn't an issue. But sorting out the food is a hassle every time. Remembering the little things like buying more denatured alcohol, toilet paper, etc, is essential but easy to forget nonetheless.  I do this once or twice a week and it hasn't gotten to the automatic stage yet.I walked down to the spa to see about getting the $12 early bird special on the hot springs, but they have no openings for an hour and a half. I am too impatient and busy for that. Instead I walk back to town for food. The pub seems to be the best bet. After being denied on my first choice (shrimp and grits) I strike gold with pork BBQ and fried green tomatoes. Delish!  The scotch ale is good too. Other hikers drift in and soon I'm not really solo anymore. Which is nice I must say. The river is pretty but not much for conversation.While there I meet two people from Maryland.  Small world!  One of them is from Flintstone, a place I went to a lot as a kid. I had never met a native outside the preserve. We are both going to tell our moms about it.  And both people are interested in thruhiking!  I encouraged them- it's a great thing to do if you can, and if your interests lie that way. I am happy to say that the natural beauty around me has not palled at all. I still stop and say an out loud "wow" pretty often.  Things are changing all the time as the season progresses. I've gone from looking at brightly colored fungus to rejoicing at new leaves and flowers to laughing at the small forest life playing in the recent warmth. And of course, all around me is the ever present striking scenery of the mountains, from a perspective few ever see. I stop multiple times a day to gaze at the mountains around me. I feel lucky to be here.On the other hand, I miss JD and home terribly. This is the longest we've been apart since we started dating. I text him at least daily if I can, and he keeps me up to date on home life. But it's hard being away. I miss Pluto, too. Though the big stinker probably doesn't miss me. I know Bonnie and Tara are keeping an eye on him for me and that helps a lot.Ah well. I can't be in both places, and I hope to have a long lifetime to live out at home after this adventure is over.In the meantime, it's past hiker midnight. I'm going to head to bed, and try to pretend that the leaky showerhead in this cheap motel room is a waterfall.  Good night, my friends and family. Sleep tight wherever you are.